Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to introduce digital security systems in vehicles in the FCT for the safety of commuters.
The scheme which will be domiciled in the Transportation Secretariat of the FCT will provide safety and give confidence to the motoring public in the nation’s capital.
This was disclosed on Saturday in Abuja, during the 2023 Special Marshals Sectoral Workshop, organised by the Federal Roads Safety Corps, FCT Sector Command Special Marshal, with the theme, “Volunteerism in Road Safety Management: Limits and Possibilities.”
Wike who was represented by Mr Uboku Tom Nya, Secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, said the digitalisation would ensure the safety and security of commuters in the FCT.
He said, “The idea of the digital monitoring system was part of our attention to detail in providing a transportation system that would be safe and secured. Apart from being affordable, those entering a vehicle, private or mass transit of the FCT have peace of mind that as they enter the vehicle, they will come out safely.
“This means that in real-time, there will be an alarm for the search for the individual who entered the vehicle. You don’t need to call any person at home, saying you entered a particular vehicle, because it is self-activating.
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“As you enter you are scanned in the vehicle and it goes to the central control as you come out within a period, it also goes to cancel. If that is not canceled, there is an alarm that is triggered. We are working on the details, and it will not be too long before it comes on board.”
He further added that the FCT Administration will relate with the Special Marshal Division to work effectively.
“On our part as the Administrators of the FCT, we will continue to relate with critical stakeholders in this sector to enable us to achieve our core mandate.
“We are working on rail transportation; we are working on Bus Rapid Transport and consulting with private individuals who will bring in their private transportation.
“The FCT will also be working on upgrading our motor parks to global standards so that people will be encouraged to patronise public transport. This, of course, will reduce the number of private vehicles on the roads, and if there are fewer private vehicles, it means that the traffic movement would be better,” he said.
Earlier, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, stressed the need for the review of road safety management activities and analyse of factors that could contribute to the reduction of crashes on Nigerian roads.
Biu, who was represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal, Shehu Zaki, blamed road crashes on the actions or inaction of the road users, noting that most crashes are preventable.
On his part, the Squadron Leader of the FCT Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS), Dr Yusuf Suberu, who is also the National Coordinator of Road Traffic and Vehicle Inspection Mayors of the Federation, hailed the digitalisation saying it will change the mindset of road users and create safety in the FCT.
