FCTA Moves Against Illegal Motor Parks, Vows To Flush Out Criminal Elements In Abuja

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its determination to rid Abuja of criminal elements operating from illegal motor parks, saying the ongoing enforcement exercise is part of efforts to restore order and improve security in the nation’s capital.

The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Chinedum Elechi, stated this on Monday during the continuation of the enforcement operation at the unauthorised motor park popularly known as Jabi Upstairs.

Represented by Mr. Usman Abdulmumin, Elechi said the exercise was in compliance with the directive of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to dismantle illegal motor parks and flush out criminal elements using such locations as operational bases.

According to him, the enforcement operation, which commenced on July 1, is aimed at ensuring that all commercial vehicles operate from the Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal.

He disclosed that vehicles impounded on the first day of the exercise would be released after their owners complete the required documentation and undertake not to return to illegal loading points.

“We will release the vehicles to their owners after they have completed the necessary documentation and given assurances that they will not return to the illegal parks,” he said.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the FCT Command and Control Centre, Dr. Peter Olumuji, said allowing illegal motor parks to thrive would undermine law and order in the Federal Capital Territory.

Olumuji explained that personnel of the FCT Security Services Department were participating in the exercise to ensure full compliance, noting that some commercial vehicle operators might disregard the directive without adequate security enforcement.

He added that since operations commenced at the Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal, public transportation in the FCT had become more organised, while incidents of criminality associated with illegal transport operations had reduced.

The Director of Transport Planning and Institutional Development at Planet Projects Limited, Mr. Demola Olawepo, said adequate security and operational measures had been put in place at the terminal to guarantee the safety of commuters.

According to him, the introduction of the terminal has significantly reduced criminal activities previously associated with commercial transportation in Abuja.

A commuter, Mr. Hamzat Gumil, commended the FCT Administration for introducing the coordinated transport system.

“This is my first time using the terminal, and I am impressed. Everything I have seen so far is well organised and satisfactory,” he said.