The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has increased its efforts to successfully address the long-standing problem of arbitrarily nonfunctional traffic installations in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
To that aim, the recently passed 2021 FCT Appropriation, which is currently awaiting presidential approval, contains sufficient funding to allow procurement processes to begin.
While speaking on behalf of the administration, Usman Musa Yahaya, Acting Secretary, FCTA Transportation Secretariat, hinted that this will result in a tangible improvement in the repair of non-functional traffic signal installations in new areas
On Monday in Abuja, he informed journalists at a press conference about the state of traffic light installations across the Territory.
Yahaya noted that 62 of the 172 traffic signal installations are currently operational and are positioned at various intersections across multiple districts.
He stated that because Abuja is a planned territory and a modern
city, successive administrations of the Federal Capital Territory have diligently exerted concerted efforts, through the Transportation Secretariat, to install traffic light installations on world-class roads provided by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
According to him; “I must state that the Transportation Secretariat has not watched without taking any action, the concerns of residents on the state of this critical component of traffic light management.
” Regrettably, as many as 110 are at various levels of non-functional condition.Twenty-Five (25 nos.) out of the 110 are currently undergoing rehabilitation while some have been packaged for procurement for fresh signalization within the 2021 FCT Appropriation.
“The Transportation Secretariat has been receiving, with great concern, feedback from residents on the status of the traffic light installations particularly the non-functional ones as well as yearnings for installation of more at intersections having difficult traffic situations.
“With the support of the Permanent Secretary and approval granted by the Honourable Minister, adequate provision was made in the recently passed 2021 FCT Appropriation which is awaiting Presidential assent to pave way for the commencement of procurement processes that will ultimately translate to tangible improvement”, he stressed.
He continued: “Part of the challenges the Transportation Secretariat has faced in the proper management of the Traffic Light Installations include knocking down of the installations by motorists and subsequent vandalization of the components by criminals.
“This warranted the adoption of a new but strenuous strategy of installing the Traffic Light which involves welding of the components to prevent vandals from further vandalization of the parts; Lack of spare parts for routine maintenance which will be addressed as soon as the procurement process is completed.
” Effort has been made in the 2021 FCT Appropriation with further assurance from Management of adequate funding going forward”.
