The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) , Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter said, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Taskforce/Marshal had overstepped their bounds in the course of their operations.
Hence, the AMAC Taskforce on traffic control was disbanded and their services transferred to the AMAC Marshal.
Saying , it has become imperative to introduce technology in enforcing road traffic regulations in AMAC.
This was contained in a communique signed and issued by Ochiaka Ugwu, Secretary, NUJ FCT Council and the Chairman, Organizing Committee
Omeiza Ajayi, at the end a one day Town Hall meeting on AMAC Taskforce/Marshal held at the NUJ FCT Council Secretariat, Utako, Abuja.
At the end of the town hall meeting , the following resolutions were reached: Participants agreed that there is need for synergy among relevant government agencies, motorists and other stakeholders in the transportation sector;
It was agreed that the taskforce had overstepped their bounds in the course of their operations and it was time to introduce technology in enforcing road traffic regulations in AMAC;
Participants agreed that enforcement of traffic regulations must be done by well trained officials who would only do so in a civil manner rather than in a gestapo manner; and It was further resolved that private consultants should no longer be used for enforcement of road traffic regulations in AMAC.
The town hall meeting was necessitated by concerns from members of the public, particularly motorists, over the high-handedness, extortion and harassment by the taskforce.
AMAC authorities had severally stated that not all revenue collectors are genuine, however, the NUJ felt there was need to critically examine the character of the Taskforce and sift the wheat from the chaff.
The event was declared open by former Chairman of FCT Council of the NUJ, Mr Malachy Uzendu, who also chaired the occasion.
It had in attendance the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council AMAC, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, his vice, Lawrence Onuchukwu, the council secretary; Director, Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage DOAS in the FCT Administration, Dr Babagana Adam; FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma who was represented, FCT Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, Ayuba Gora Wobin, Director Operations of the FCT DRTS, Mr Dele Yaro, Executive Director of CASER, Barr. Frank Tietie, representatives of various transport unions, members of the NUJ and the public.
