PRESS STATEMENT ON THE UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT ALONG THE ABUJA AIRPORT ROAD

It would be recalled that on Saturday, March 24^th officials of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council carried out an exercise to remove illegal structures at the Gosa illegal Market on the Airport road.

The whole idea behind the removal was to clean the area and free it from obstructing traffic moving into the city of Abuja. As usual, in line with laid down regulations, the officials met severally with the owners of the illegal stalls to make them understand the need to keep the Airport expressway free from obstruction so as to save lives and property against the frequent accidents that occur due to the encroachment of the road by the illegal market.

The traders were admonished not to conduct their trading activities within 500 metres from the expressway. Unfortunately, the administration observed with dismay that inspite of the assurances given by the traders, several illegal structures continued to spring up and spill right onto the expressway thereby endangering the lives of motorists plying that very important gateway to the city. This has lead to numerous accidents along the road leading to casualties.

However, following that exercise, some miscreants cashed in and set up burn fires on the road on Saturday evening and this Monday afternoon leading to traffic obstruction and heavy gridlock on that very important road.

It is important to note that the Airport expressway is the main gateway to Nigeria and whatever visitors see on that road is their first impression about our great country. The need therefore to keep it free and safe cannot be overemphasized.

The FCT administrations sincerely sympathizes with all motorists that have been affected by this unfortunate incident particularly those whose vehicles may have been damaged. I wish to reiterate the commitment of this Administration to ensure the safety of lives and property of all residents of the city and to ensure free flow of traffic not only on the airport road but on roads across the territory.

Let me also use this opportunity to appeal to all residents of the Gosa and other communities along the airport road that everything will be done to ensure that their interest are adequately catered for in accordance with the provisions of the law. However, I must warn that the Administration will not condone lawlessness in any form.

The security agencies have been fully mobilsed and working to ensure that there is free flow of traffic on all FCT roads.

Muhammad Musa Bello

Minister, FCT