Nation
FCT Cautions Against Speed, Overloading At Yuletide
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS) has called on motorists to avoid speeding and overloading to avoid road accidents during the yuletide.
FCT DRTS Director, Wadata Bodinga, made the call in an interview with The Tide source in Abuja.
Bodinga said that the condition of a vehicle, the road being plied and the human factor, could contribute significantly to the rate of accidents on the road.
“Motorists are to make sure they are physically and mentally alert to drive and journeys should be properly planned; there is no need to rush because due to the yuletide, traffic is expected to increase so trips should be estimated and planned.
“By so doing, you will be relaxed enough to take precaution of all the safety measures to be adhered to on the highway.
“Before embarking on a journey, it is advisable to make sure your vehicle is in good condition to be on the road; check your tyres often, service the car, check the break, lightening and electrical parts of the vehicle
“Night journeys should be avoided except extremely important, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world,” he advised.
According to him, the FCT Administration had been proactive in setting out guidelines on how motorists were to go about during the pandemic, stating that with COVID-19 pandemic second wave, those policy guidelines are still in force.
“It is the obligation of vehicle inspection officers in collaboration with other security agencies to enforce those guidelines; a taxi is to carry only four people including the driver, he said.
“Likewise buses on either inter or intra city travel must also adhere to one seat; two people only and if it is a higher capacity vehicle, then they are to operate on 50 per cent capacity.
“We are trying to implement this policy but we are appealing to commuters to caution drivers and avoid overloading as it is the right of commuters not to be overloaded in a vehicle.
“Passengers have the right to avoid being in a vehicle that does not maintain social distancing, right to caution the driver when he is over speeding and right to, at least, look at the external conditions of vehicles such as the tyres and general condition of the vehicle and if it is not in good order, they should react.
“We are also urging commuters to engage vehicles in recognised motor parks because if commuters can do their part then the law enforcement agencies will have very little to do.
“We have situation of commuters encouraging overloading after paying so much transport fare and also help to avoid arrest of drivers and this is wrong as drivers need to stop taking advantage of commuters,” he said.
He assured citizens of doubling efforts to make sure the FCT roads, high ways and vehicles leaving the city are in good condition to reduce crashes on the road.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
