Call for Urgent Reform as APRI Proposes New Road Traffic Officers to Replace Banned VIOs in Abuja

The Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI) has urged the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr.

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, alongside road traffic managers and other stakeholders in the FCT, to urgently commence the rebranding and deployment of alternative personnel to be designated as “Road Traffic Officers” to operate on FCT roads.
The Executive Director of the organisation, Ambassador Fidelis Nnadi, made the call in a statement issued to journalists on Monday in Abuja. He expressed optimism that the rebranding and deployment of well-equipped and properly trained Road Traffic Officers across Abuja roads would significantly reduce the growing rate of road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities currently recorded in the FCT.
In the statement titled “Improving Road Safety and Traffic Management in FCT: A Case for Rebranding with the nomenclature of ‘Road Traffic Officers’ of FCT,” APRI highlighted concerns over the poor state of traffic management in the nation’s capital.
The organisation noted that the FCT has continued to face traffic congestion and road safety challenges, largely attributed to the judicial order that barred Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) from operating on the roads.
APRI stated that it is mindful of the impact of these challenges on the safety of road users and, on that basis, proposed the deployment of alternative personnel to be known as Road Traffic Officers of the FCT.
Further outlining the proposal, Ambassador Nnadi called on the FCT Minister and relevant stakeholders to consider key recommendations in the interest of public safety.
He explained that rebranding officers of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS FCT) as Road Traffic Officers would enhance traffic management by improving traffic flow, reducing congestion, and minimizing accidents.
According to him, the introduction of additional personnel would also strengthen security through improved surveillance and quicker response to road incidents. He added that deploying alternative officers would ensure more efficient use of resources by easing the burden on existing law enforcement agencies.
Nnadi further noted that the proposed Road Traffic Officers would serve as a replacement for the banned VIOs, helping to fill the operational gap and sustain enforcement of traffic laws and vehicle safety standards.
He also stated that the officers would be responsible for enforcing the payment of tolls, levies, and other penalties as directed by the court, thereby boosting revenue generation for the FCT Administration.
The APRI Executive Director appealed to the Minister to support and fast-track the passage of the existing Road Traffic Bill of the DRTS FCT, which has been before the National Assembly since 2019, to provide a proper legal framework for traffic operations in the territory.
He further urged the Minister to demonstrate strong commitment to the safety of road users by backing the rebranding initiative and approving the designation of the officers as Road Traffic Officers (RTOs) to bridge existing gaps.
In addition, Nnadi called for the issuance of an Executive Order by the Minister to facilitate the immediate rebranding process pending the passage of the DRTS FCT Bill by the National Assembly.
He concluded by appealing to the Minister to prioritise the safety of road users in the FCT and collaborate with existing structures within the DRTS to implement the proposed measures, ensuring a safer and more efficient traffic management system in the nation’s capital.