The Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have pledged support for reforms aimed at making transportation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) safer, more accessible and inclusive, particularly for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable commuters.
The commitment was made on Wednesday during the “Safe Transport, Inclusive Abuja” Stakeholders Dialogue organised by the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association of Nigeria (USGEAAN), Abuja Chapter.
The dialogue brought together representatives of government agencies, transport unions, security organisations, disability groups and other stakeholders to identify challenges facing commuters and develop policy recommendations for improving safety, accessibility and inclusion within Abuja’s transportation system.
Representing the FCT Commissioner of Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police Akaniyene Edward assured participants that concerns raised during the dialogue would receive the attention of the Command.
He said directives would be issued to police divisions across the FCT to ensure that traffic officers pay special attention to persons with disabilities and provide assistance whenever they encounter difficulties while using roads and public transport facilities.
According to him, such interventions would contribute to creating a safer and more responsive transportation environment for all commuters.
Also speaking, Mr. Sunday Adams Peter of the NSCDC said an effective transportation system must be inclusive and responsive to the needs of every segment of society.
He noted that no transport system could be regarded as effective if some categories of commuters were excluded or unable to access transportation services safely and conveniently.
Peter assured that the Corps would continue to collaborate with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to strengthen the safety and security of commuters across the FCT.
On her part, Blessing Okoro of the FRSC urged the FCT Administration to establish designated motor parks and transportation facilities for persons with disabilities to improve accessibility and ease their movement within the city.
She said such facilities would reduce the challenges faced by persons with disabilities and promote a more inclusive transport system.
Earlier, one of the coordinators of the initiative and spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi, said the programme was part of efforts by members of the Abuja Chapter of USGEAAN to apply the knowledge and experience gained through United States Government-sponsored exchange programmes to practical initiatives that address societal challenges.
Rotimi said the dialogue was designed to bring together critical stakeholders to examine practical ways of improving safety, security and inclusion within the FCT transportation system.
He explained that persons with disabilities, including members of the deaf and blind communities, shared their experiences navigating Abuja’s transport system, adding that their contributions would form part of policy recommendations to be presented to relevant authorities.
“We’ve had people from the community, the various clusters, from the deaf, blind and others share their lived experiences navigating transportation systems in Abuja from both safety and security perspectives, and all the feedback has been incorporated into policy recommendations,” he said.
Also speaking, a representative of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Dr. Nanriet Emeje, commended the organisers for translating the benefits of international exchange programmes into practical civic engagement.
She said the theme of the dialogue, “Safe Transport, Inclusive Abuja: Building Trust, Accountability, Security and Shared Prosperity for Every Commuter,” aligns with the mandate of the Secretariat to provide an accessible, safe, affordable, efficient and integrated transportation system across the FCT.
Emeje stressed that the mobility needs of persons with disabilities should be deliberately incorporated into transportation planning and implementation rather than treated as an afterthought.
Participants at the dialogue also called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, improved transport infrastructure, greater accountability among transport operators and sustained inclusion of persons with disabilities in transportation planning and policy implementation.
The organisers said recommendations from the dialogue would be consolidated into policy proposals for engagement with relevant authorities to support the development of a transportation system in Abuja that is safe, secure, accessible and inclusive for all commuters.
