The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reaffirmed its determination to eliminate criminal activities linked to illegal public transport operations across Abuja, insisting that all commercial vehicles must operate from designated terminals.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, said this on Monday during the continuation of the administration’s enforcement operation at the unauthorised motor park popularly known as Jabi Upstairs.
Represented by Mr Usman Abdulmumin, Elechi said the exercise was in line with the directive of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to rid the territory of criminal elements operating from illegal motor parks and other unauthorised transport locations.
He said the enforcement exercise, which began on July 1, was aimed at ensuring that all commercial vehicles operate exclusively from the Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal.
According to him, the initiative is part of broader efforts by the FCTA to sanitise the transportation sector, improve public safety and restore order to commercial transport operations in the nation’s capital.
Speaking on the vehicles impounded on the first day of the operation, Elechi said they would be released to their owners after completing the required documentation and undertaking 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 FCTA Command and Control Centre, Dr Peter Olumuji, warned that allowing illegal motor parks to operate unchecked would undermine law and order in the Federal Capital Territory.
Olumuji said personnel of the FCT Security Services Department were actively participating in the enforcement operation to ensure full compliance with the directive. He noted that many commercial vehicle operators would ignore the ban without adequate security enforcement.
He added that the commencement of operations at the Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal, alongside the ongoing enforcement exercise, had brought greater order and organisation to public transportation in the FCT.
According to him, the new transport arrangement has improved compliance among operators while strengthening the management of commercial transport services in Abuja.
The Director of Transport Planning and Institutional Development at Planet Projects Limited, Mr Demola Olawepo, said the terminal has adequate security and operational systems to guarantee the safety of passengers.
He added that the establishment of the terminal has significantly reduced criminal activities previously associated with commercial transportation in the city.
A passenger, Mr Hamzat Gumil, also commended the FCT Administration for introducing the coordinated transport system, describing his experience at the terminal as satisfactory.
“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.
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