The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has through its Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Tuesday crushed 601 impounded motorcycles in the nation’s capital, Abuja, over traffic infractions.
The Mandate Transport Secretary, Dr. Elechi Chinedum, told newsmen during the crushing exercise that the administration is acting under the regulation of the FCT.
He said: “I need to re-emphasize what the director has just said about the reason why we are here which is to crush impounded motorcycles. As we speak, we are acting under the regulation of the FCT. The most recent regulation which is the law on this subject matter is that of 1st of January, 2023.
“It was signed into law by the immediate past administration of Mohammed Bello as FCT minister. So it is a law. If you use your motorbike in particular areas it is against the law and that is why we are here today. To answer your question, there is nothing we can do apart from enforcing the law.
“All laws are made and then people take it upon themselves to violate the law. Initially, when this started, it was basically for purposes of maybe aesthetics because this is FCT. So, there has to be some kind of movement but right now, it is more concerning. If I worry more, it is about the security aspect, the criminality aspect. So we have our people on the street and part of the work this directorate does is to enforce.
“Unfortunately, even you press men, when you go tomorrow, when you see the DRTS people, you carry more of the negative news.
“Oh, we have impounded motorcycles and there is hunger in the land without realising that this directorate is very important both as an enforcement arm of the government and for security.”