21st March, 2012
Residents of the FCT have described the recent banning of power bikes and motor racing in the FCT by the FCT administration as “long overdue.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a statement from the FCT minister’s office, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Mr. Mohammed Sule, banned with immediate effect the use of power bikes and motor racing in the FCT.
The FCT said the ban was necessary to ensure optimal security as well as protect lives and property of residents in the territory, noting that security and law enforcement agents had been directed to arrest and prosecute those who failed to comply.
A cross-section of FCT residents, who spoke with NAN on Tuesday in Abuja, hailed the directive, saying that the operation of the power bikes was “strange and frightening” to most Nigerians.
Mr. Adam Usman, a public affairs commentator at the Central Business Area said: “the operation of power bikes and car racing are meaningless in Abuja.”
“The conditions of Abuja roads do not make such exercise exciting and enjoyable, just as the car racing is dangerous and unpopular in this part of the world.
“Roads like Keffi-Abuja highway is always congested with all kinds of frustrating hold-ups, but often times, these people still manoeuvre to wade through the go-slow.”
Usman, who described the reported demonstration after the ban as “uncalled for”, suggested that the demostrators should have gone to the authorities of the FCT to request for permit to operate.
“I want to believe that if their operations were concentrated in the big estates in the city, where there are less traffic, nobody would have bothered them.
“What we see in the foreign movies are specially designed road networks provided for motor racing exercises and no other activity takes place on such roads.
“So, such road facilities should be provided in Nigeria in the big cities to enable them ride and race freely,” Usman said.
Malam Aminu Sule, a commercial motorcyclist at Nyanya Garage said: “the movement of the power bikes is always disturbing and dangerous to other road users, so the ban is a welcome development.
“Whenever they are on speed, they don’t consider the plights of pedestrians attempting to cross the ever busy highways and the sound of the machines is always frightening to other road users.
“Their protest was not necessary. They should look for an alternative and a more conducive route for their leisure,” he said.
Mr Hogan Bassey, a civil servant and social commentator, expressed displeasure at the ban, saying: “the ban is ill-timed because the venture can generate substantial revenue to the government of the FCT, if well organised. ”
He said there was need for the authorities to recognise and encourage the sport of racing by providing a special route for them, instead of banning them.
“Instead of the total clamp down, they should be provided with a conducive racing area as part of sports development efforts in the city and as a revenue generating outlet for the authorities concerned,” Bassey said.