The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) says it has deployed 1,700 personnel to ensure the free flow of traffic during Christmas and New Year celebrations in Abuja.

DRTS spokesman Kalu Emetu disclosed this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to him, the service has already positioned its personnel across the city and the satellite towns to ensure a seamless traffic flow and hitch-free celebration.

”The job we are doing at the moment is the same job we have been doing. The only difference is that we have reinforced our capacity further for a hitch-free celebration. Our men and materials are well-positioned. Over 1,700 of our men are in different locations within the FCT. They have been briefed on how to relate with the public, especially the motorists. 

“They have been told to ensure that all they do is in line with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act CAP548 and in line with the FCT Traffic Regulations for professionalism,” he said.

Mr Emetu said all the efforts were geared toward ensuring the celebration was hitch-free and devoid of complaints from any quarter. He added that this would also go a long way in ensuring that no personnel would take advantage of the period to extort money from motorists or cases of unethical behaviour.

“We want Nigerians to feel the positive impact of our men in ensuring that traffic is effectively controlled, especially to ease off any traffic gridlock and to also ensure that everything is handled professionally. We are also appealing to motorists to do their part by obeying traffic rules and regulations.

“This is because it’s only when all the parties involved understand the right thing to do that we can ensure a hitch-free celebration and beyond. Of course, we are quite aware of the nature of this period, which is usually associated with heavy human and vehicular traffic. Everybody seems to be in a hurry. But as much as they are all in a hurry, we still encourage them to ensure they do not exceed the speed limit, avoid overloading and ensure their vehicles are in good condition,” he said.

Emetu appealed to the public to cooperate with the VIO for a peaceful celebration, adding that it was only through cooperation that the right thing would be done.

(NAN)