FCT Road Safety Under Threat, APRI Urges Wike to Act on VIO Ban

 

By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka ,Abuja

A road safety advocacy organisation, the Accident Prevention and Rescue Initiative (APRI), has issued a passionate appeal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr.

Nyesom Wike, seeking his urgent intervention in the court-imposed ban on the activities of the FCT Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO). According to the group, the restriction has resulted in a spike in road traffic crashes across the FCT.
In a statement signed by APRI’s Executive Director, Amb. Fidelis Nnadi, the organisation expressed concern that the situation could have been avoided if VIO officials were permitted to perform their statutory responsibilities. “The ban has severely hampered efforts to maintain road safety within the FCT,” Nnadi stated.
APRI called on Minister Wike to utilise every available mechanism to address and resolve the issue, stressing that the prevailing circumstances demand immediate attention. The group noted that its appeal is driven by the need to prevent additional loss of lives on FCT roads.
The statement also pointed to a disturbing increase in traffic accidents since the enforcement of the ban, linking the trend to the absence of VIO personnel on the roads. APRI maintained that timely intervention by the Minister would help restore discipline and improve safety.
Residents and motorists in the FCT are said to be bearing the brunt of the development, facing heightened risks of crashes and fatalities. APRI reiterated that swift action is necessary to safeguard road users.
The organisation expressed optimism that the Minister will respond positively to its appeal and take decisive steps toward lifting the ban, thereby ensuring safer roads for all residents of the FCT.