In a bid to make roads in the Federal Capital Territory safe during the 2023 presidential elections, the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) has deployed 507 personnel to man the roads during and after the elections.
In a statement from head of Public Relations Division, FCT DRTS, Kalu Emetu, the officers are to manage the traffic in every part of the territory to ensure free movement of electoral materials and those on essential duties.
Emetu explained that the 507 personnel are to cover nine sectorial areas of the territory which include Abaji/Rubochi, Karishi/Karu, Kwali, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Municipal, Dutse/Bwari, Kabusa and Zuba/Dei Dei sectors.
He added that each of the sectors is to be manned by 25 officers where they are required to enforce traffic restrictions during the period of the elections. Every sector is to operate with two Hilux vehicles.
According to the statement, 87 officers were deployed to the national situation room collation centre to cordon off traffic from the thirteen traffic access points around the collation centre.
Also, 60 officers have been deployed to the three boundary points of the FCT to monitor traffic in the areas. The boundary areas include Abaji, Zuba and Nyanya.
Similarly, 50 inspection officers were deployed to inspect and to certify the 520 vehicles conveying electoral materials to various locations in the FCT.
Emetu further explained that 50 officers and men were deployed to join in the show of force with other security agencies in the territory.
“It is pertinent to note that the directorate also deployed materials and vehicular logistics support for the success of the elections.
“The material and logistics support include 53 Hilux vehicles, 20 motorbikes and riders, 20 iron barricades, 4 numbers of juggernaut, and 1 coaster bus.
“The officers were however directed to exhibit high level of discipline as enshrined in the operational guidelines of the Directorate’s regulations,” he stated.
