The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has intensified its campaign against illegal motor parks, impounding no fewer than 40 commercial vehicles for operating outside the newly inaugurated Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal in Abuja.
Secretary of the Command and Control Centre, FCTA Security Services Department, Dr Peter Olumuji, disclosed this yesterday after an enforcement operation in the Utako area of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Olumuji, the vehicles were impounded between Wednesday and Friday as part of efforts to enforce the relocation of commercial transport operators from illegal roadside parks to the designated Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal.
The enforcement followed the commencement of operations at the Mabushi terminal announced by the FCT Transport Secretariat on June 21. The secretariat had directed all operators using ad-hoc motor parks in Utako and other unauthorised locations to relocate to the terminal on or before June 24.
Olumuji said the affected vehicles were found operating in violation of the directive and would be prosecuted in accordance with the extant traffic regulations of the FCT.
He added that some individuals were also arrested by the police for obstructing officials during the enforcement exercise.
“The exercise is aimed at ensuring that all commercial vehicles operate from approved locations for the safety and security of commuters.
“The bus terminals were established as organized transit hubs where passengers can board registered vehicles driven by properly identified operators,” he said.
Olumuji stressed that the enforcement would continue until full compliance is achieved.
Also speaking, an official of the FCT Transport Secretariat, Usman Abdulmuminu, said the administration had carried out extensive sensitisation before the enforcement, issuing several notices to transport operators while also airing radio and television jingles to create awareness.
He noted that many operators had already complied with the relocation directive, adding that the ongoing exercise was equally intended to educate residents about the availability of the new terminal.
Transport Planning Director of Planet Projects, the firm operating the facility, Demola Olawepo, said the world-class terminal has the capacity to accommodate about 250 vehicles under an efficient flow-through system.
He urged commercial drivers to embrace the facility, describing it as a secure, organised and comfortable environment designed to improve the travel experience of commuters.
The general manager of Operations at the terminal, Kolawale Babatunde, disclosed that since operations commenced on July 1, the terminal has processed about 130 vehicles and over 800 passengers.
He described the operations as seamless, noting that the terminal functions much like an airport, with modern facilities and structured passenger processing.
According to him, the biggest advantage of the facility is enhanced security, as all transport operators are registered, licensed and fully documented, making them easily traceable.
Several users of the facility commended the initiative. As commercial driver Abdulsalami Dada said operating from the terminal has been more organised and convenient than working from the roadside.
Passengers also expressed satisfaction with the services. Chioma Okoro, who was travelling to Kaduna, praised the professionalism of the staff and the quality of the facilities, while Adamu Emmanuel described the ticketing process as fast and efficient, noting that he completed payment and boarding formalities in less than two minutes.
