FCTA pledges to promote cycling as a complementary mode of transport

The Federal Capital Territory Transport secretariat’s Mandate Secretary, Arch Uboku, has affirmed the administration’s commitment to promoting cycling as a viable means of transportation in the capital city.

During the handover ceremony of 20 pilot bicycles donated to students of Government Secondary School, Tudu Wada, Wuse Zone 4, and the inauguration of a bicycle parking facility, Mr. Uboku highlighted the government’s dedication to developing cycling to complement public transport.

The bicycles were donated to the pupils by Ochenuel Mobility, a non-governmental organization collaborating with the Global Designing Initiative in the USA. They also constructed a bicycle park at the school.

Mr. Uboku, represented by Mr. Pascal Nnadozie, the Chief Administrative Officer at the Transport Secretariat, expressed the administration’s intent to establish inclusive policies, regulations, and facilities to create a safe environment for cycling.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration between various government departments to ensure the safety of cyclists and to expedite the creation and recovery of bicycle lanes in the city. Bicycle lanes are part of the Abuja master plan’s urban road design, but they were previously overlooked during construction.

Mr. Uboku commended Ochenuel Mobility and encouraged students to use the parking facility safely. He also urged the school management to make the most of this new resource.

Dr. Mohammed Sani, the Director of the FCT Secondary Education Board, emphasized the significant benefits of cycling for students. Regular cycling promotes physical activity, leading to improved intelligence and a healthier life, with fewer school days missed due to illness.

Parents can save money on transportation costs and reduce the need for personal cars when their children cycle to school. The government supports and collaborates with Ochenuel Mobility to replicate the project in other schools in the FCT.

Mr. John Emmanuel, the Chief Executive Officer of Ochenuel Mobility, shared the vision behind the project, which aims to have 30% of FCT students cycling to school by 2025. The project began with a national stakeholder’s forum in May, focusing on safe streets to school.

Following a feasibility study on select school corridors, a capacity-building program for city authorities and security/safety agencies will be conducted. An open-street event will sensitize the public, drivers, and other road users. The project’s final stages include workshops for parents and teachers, along with the commissioning of the bicycle parking facility and the distribution of bicycles to selected students through a random selection process.

Mr. Emmanuel called for continued collaboration with the government to expand the project to other schools and ensure the safety of all FCT residents when riding bicycles on the city’s roads.