By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka Abuja
In the wise and fair dispensation of providence, there exists a pecking order in human society. Thrust upon, some mortals’ responsibility are to lead, while others follow. When that responsibility shines with the stars of the celestial, the people glow and rejoice.
The above assertion aptly captures the recognitions and approvals of the impeccable service delivery of the Department of Road Traffic Services, Federal Capital Territory (DRTS, FCT) under the leadership of Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello. Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello, has received several commendations over his tenacious efforts to enhance the Directorate’s service delivery during the time since his appointment as Director.
Many averred that the traffic management and enforcement of traffic laws have not only improved but on the upward trajectory. These improvements are being made possible by Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello administration as a result of numerous road traffic safety initiatives, which are aimed at reducing crashes on FCT roads. Some of the noticeable initiatives includes the effective monitoring and enforcement on Okada ban, sustenance of effective road traffic safety enforcement on FCT roads, eliminating the activities and operations of “One Chance” criminals, promoting and delivering on motivation of officers of the Directorate and above all ensuring zero tolerance to corruption in the Directorate.
Indeed there have been a sustainable sanity in the road transport and traffic sector in FCT since Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello assumed office in the Directorate.
Before now, National Bureau of Statistics index on FCT has always remained on the highest ladder of road crashes, deaths and injuries compared to other states in Nigeria, however with the current approach, including the administrative and operational restructured system of Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello in the Directorate, the FCT is gradually moving down the ladder of road crash index of National Bureau of Statistics.
Key road transport stakeholders, such as the Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI), Executive Director, Prince Fidelis Nnadi has commended the Director for his dexterity and dedication towards ensuring that road traffic safety in FCT is a priority, which has been proven by the extent to which sanity in the road traffic and transport operations in FCT has improved tremendously and is being sustained towards safety of lives and property of road users on FCT roads. The advice to the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, is to remain dogged in supporting the Directorate with required logistics and legislative approvals, to boost the efforts of Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello’s determination towards improving road crash prevention measures in FCT.
One of the initiatives of Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello that needs total support from the minister is the novel Public Transport Management Scheme ( PTMS) that will ensure an organised and secured Public Transportation Network in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. PTMS remains a visionary initiative that embodies the Agency’s aspirations for an efficient Public Transportation network that will leverage on technology and consistent stakeholders’ engagement.
According to a top official of the Directorate, the PTMS is a welcome development in quest to make Abuja a smart city. When fully operational, according to him, it will reduce vehicular based crimes and ensure safety and sanity on our road. According to him, the Directorate’s commitment to align with global best practices and e-governance master plan of the FCT Administration, should receive the backing and endorsement of the FCT Minister, Barr Wike. He believed that it will no doubt ensure transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in the Directorate’s operations.
It will be recalled that in 2010, the Directorate took a significant step to revolutionize its operations by automating its vehicle registration process. Thus effectively eliminated challenges inherent in the manual system. However last year, the DRTS under Dr. Bello expanded its services to include vehicle registration on the Self-Service Portal.
Directorate, since last year has been receiving awards, because it has simplified it’s operations and services, through the the use of technology as the Self-Service Portal which is a transformative platform has revolutionized the Directorate’s operations. The Portal is flexible, allows for convenience and direct access to essential services, thereby, eliminating touting, and guaranteeing transparency.
Indeed, the removal of middlemen in vehicle registration processes is a major step that has ensured sanity in the sector. Apart from the deployment of cutting edge technology, the DRTS-FCT has embarked on opening new motor parks so as to reduce patronage of ‘one chance’ taxis by unsuspecting residents. He has through public enlightenment campaigns encouraged residents to make good use of the new motor parks.
The Directorate has since deployed its men to several routes across the territory to arrest drivers who pick passengers on the road sides. To ensure sanity in the FCT, the Directorate has descended heavily on operators of illegal motor parks. Indeed the monitoring team of the Directorate led by Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello has dislodged many illegal motor parks.
A thorough bred administrator, Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello led DRTS-FCT has moved to ensure standard and have commenced the implementation of Special Trade License Regulation and improved in the enforcement of the activities Motor Vehicle Related Trades and Services in FCT as among efforts in road crash prevention through ensuring the elimination of substandard motor spare parts and capacity building for mechanics in FCT.
As the FCT residents embrace the ‘renewed hope’ agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it is expected that Dr. Abdul-Lateef Bello be encouraged to entrench world class traffic management system in the nation’s capital city.