Juliana Taiwo
14 November 2009
Abuja — The Federal Capital Territory Administration said it has concluded arrangements with the Directorate of Road Traffic Services to introduce a road tax policy in Abuja, to generate revenue to maintain all existing roads in the city.
When passed into law, vehicle owners plying all roads in the city will pay tax in line with the capacity of the engines and fuel consumption levels and emissions from their engines.
The Special Assistant to the Minister of the FCTA on Transport and Traffic Management, Abdul Ismail disclosed yesterday that a bill on the new system would soon be sent to the National Assembly for passage in to law.
He said the introduction of the road tax bill was also in line with the climate change being promoted across the globe.
Also, the administration plans to introduce property tax and a bill has already been sent to the National Assembly to that effect. The administration has said that when passed, the two enabling laws will make life meaningful for all persons resident in the territory particularly in the areas of cutting down the cost of rent on property.
Meanwhile, the administration has concluded arrangements to modify the existing speed breakers constructed on major intersections on Abuja roads. Ismail said that the decision was part of the FCTA minister's responsiveness public outcry as a servant leader.
According to him, the modification of the speed breakers is not in any way connected to the threat by the Senate and members of the House of Representatives to the FCTA to remove the speed breakers.
"It is better to save lives than urging save cars. The presence of the bumps has reduced accident rates in the city with the records from the accident and emergency units of major hospitals in the city and the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), " he added.
Ismail while speaking said the FCTA Minister Senator Adamu Aliero approved for the engagement of a team of engineers who will advice the administration on the nature of the speed breakers that will now be constructed. He said removal of the speed breakers was ruled out buy that some medification, will be made given that it had reduced accidents considerably.
The modification of the speed breakers is expected to be handled by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc while the funding may be done by Oceanic bank under a corporate social responsibility arrangement.
The existing bumps which were constructed by Julius Berger at 25 intersections were sponsored by Oceanic bank at the cost of N40million.
Ismail further disclosed that the decision to procure generators that will power street lights in major areas of the city by the administration was being implemented to ensure that Abuja remains bright through the night.it will be recalled that the Minister, had on assumption of office promised that a number of generators would be purchased by the administration to support the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to light up most of the streets.
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