The permanent secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja, Mr. Olusade Adesola has said that in line with the request of Abuja cyclists, the FCT will commence the recovery and construction of Bicycle Lanes in Abuja.
He stated this while flagging off the 5th United Nations World Bicycle Day event organized by Ochenuel Mobility and its partners in Abuja, Nigeria.
He said that, “Abuja has very wide and beautiful roads, creating bicycle lanes out of existing roads will not be a challenge, because cycling is an enjoyable sport, recreation and a mode of transport that people should do safely in the city”.
Earlier, the executive director, Ochenuel Mobility and organizer of the event, Engr. Emmanuel John conveyed the request of all Abuja cyclists to the city authority under the leadership of the permanent secretary, noting that cycle infrastructure is the most desired need for enabling safe cycling especially now that fuel subsidy is removed and cost of a liter of fuel have risen from N185 to N540.
He said this means that transport will become increasingly difficult, hence cycling will be a credible alternative.
The secretary, who appreciated John for having done much of the job through his feasibility studies and establishing collaborations between the Transport Secretariat, the Federal Capital Development Authority and other stakeholders in this regard, said: “I will take this up from here”.
On his part, the corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), represented by the assistant corps marshal, Aliyu Datsama, noted that FRSC will continue to not only support the initiatives but will further facilitate actions that will make cycling safe and comfortable for all those who chose to ride in Abuja and across Nigeria.
The Indian high commissioner to Nigeria, Shri Balasubramanian, while speaking at the event, appreciated Ochenuel Mobility and the Cycling Federation of Nigeria for sustaining the initiative of hosting this events which align with the High Commission’s eco-friendly initiative.
He stated that the High Commission has been part of the collaboration since the start of the World Bicycle Day in 2018 and will continue to do so.
The national technical director of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria who represented the Board at the event urged other individuals and corporate organizations to emulate the efforts of Ochenuell Mobility to make cycling a household name in Nigeria and particularly in Abuja.
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