Nation
FRSC FCT Command Deploys Radar Guns, Intensifies Campaign Against Speeding
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Sector Command, has deployed radar guns to check over speeding by motorists in the territory.
The sector commander, Mr Samuel Ochi, told The Tide source in Abuja that over speeding was the leading cause of road traffic crashes nationwide.
Ochi said that Gwagwalada was a critical point identified by the corps in the FCT for over speeding, noting that radar gun had been going round the environment.
According to him, over speeding, not only in the FCT, but nationwide is the leading factor for Road Traffic Crashes (RTC).
“So we are going to address that and we are already deploying radar guns, we have one in the FCT that is going round presently.
“And today, Gwagalada is stepping higher on enforcing over speeding on the highway because that is one of the major places that we have identified in the FCT.
“After this week, the team will move to the AYA and Nyanya roads for more enforcement,” he said.
Ochi said that enforcement would reach its peak during the ember months, saying that the corps is also drawing the attention of offenders on the highway.
This, he said, would continue till the end of November.
“We have a list of critical offences that are going to be addressed like road violation, one-way driving and overloading.
“Overloading has resulted to multiple crashes too in the sense that if one accident happens, more number of persons die when a vehicle is overloaded.
“However, it is not only that, it becomes a problem when you cannot control your vehicle when it is overloaded.
“Overloading will be tackled during the campaign period and not only that, we also have a situation of people that use their phones while driving and this is also responsible for crashes.
“Those ho refuse to obey traffic lights too are not excluded as all these will be addressed through campaigns and sensitisation,” he said
The FRSC boss said that the corps would be collaborating with the judiciary if possible to have a mobile court in the FCT.
He added that the corps would be establishing a move called, “Help Areas” which would run 24 hours, adding that the corps had some other skeletal medical facilities on ground.
“These help areas, for us in the FCT we are looking at the three routes leading in and out of the FCT – Giri, immediately after Maraba, and Zuba.
“So these help areas will run during the period of operation zero till the early days of January,” he said.
The Tide source reports that “Operation Zero Tolerance” is always between December and January to check gridlocks and traffic issues before, during and after the Christmas and New Year Celebrations.
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor