FCT MINISTER REMOVES ABUJA SPEED BREAKERS

By NBF News

The FCT administration has commenced the removal of speed breakers along some major intersections in the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed who flagged-off the removal on Wednesday in Wuse II District, Abuja, reiterated that the removal was in consonance with the promise made to the FCT residents.

The minister said that five intersections in the Federal Capital City have been earmarked to be the pilot, emphasising that the whole speed breakers in the entire 22 intersections that were earlier installed would gradually be removed in good time.

According to him, the speed breakers would be replaced by mild speed bumps of about 50mm high and 150mm width. He remarked that the new bumps would be well positioned to ensure that vehicles traversing between the primary and secondary roads slowed down well in line with universally acceptable ways.

The minister who was represented on the occasion by the FCT Director of Road Traffic Services, Major Adamu Sule Argungu (rtd), revealed that traffic calming devices to warn motorists approaching such intersections would be installed. Senator Mohammed disclosed that road signs and road markings which would be well illuminated would be introduced to serve as countdown to the new bumps.

He further disclosed that Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) outriders would be positioned at the five pilot intersections to monitor the conduct of motorists. 'For the purpose of transparency and accountability, the speed breakers were donated by the Oceanic Bank International Plc at the cost of N40 million and the FCT administration is now expending the sum of N16 million to get them replaced,' he stressed.

It may be recalled that the FCT minister on Monday, April 19, 2010, in response to negative reactions of majority of road users in the Federal Capital Territory, directed the immediate but gradual phase-out of the speed breakers at various road intersections in the Abuja metropolis and their replacement with the more acceptable mild speed bumps.

It would also be recalled that he stated that the removal of the speed breakers at intersections would be complemented with strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations and sanctions/penalties for offenders as practised in all modern cities of the world.