FCTA to promote safety measures around schools

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, says necessary measures would be put in place to promote safety on the roads and around schools in the FCT. Bello stated this while receiving the Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Trust Fund on Monday in Abuja. According to him, zebra crossings would be strategically placed […]

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, says necessary measures would be put in place to promote safety on the roads and around schools in the FCT.

Bello stated this while receiving the Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand (KRSD) Trust Fund on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, zebra crossings would be strategically placed across schools to protect children from road hazards.

He said it would also reduce road casualties to make the city a model for road safety in the country.

He appealed to stakeholders in the FCT, NGOs, individuals, government officials and institutions to ensure safety on the roads.

He urged road users to ensure that all traffic regulations were obeyed.

“I am also directing the FCT Transportation and Education Secretaries to work together with the KRSD to ensure that zebra crossings and other road signs are placed across schools for the safety of the children and other road users.

“Let me also suggest that road marshals should be drafted to the schools during break, resumption or closing hours to ensure that road signs are obeyed,” he said.

Earlier,Justice Monica Dongban, President, KRSD said she was motivated to spearhead the advocacy for road safety in the country, when her son lost his life after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

Dongban who is also a Justice of the Court of Appeal, said that the pains of such a loss would not make her watch other parents and loved ones to go through similar agony.

She said that her group has developed software that shows clearly how roads around schools in the FCT could be made safer and more protective of the children.

The president appealed to the FCTA to assist in the production of more copies of the road safety materials for distribution to schools in the FCT in order to bolster the enlightenment campaign.

Dongban who lamented the spate of reckless driving and speeding in built-up areas, called for the overhaul of archaic road laws. (NAN)