Move To Bus Terminals Or Be Shut Down – FCTA Tells Transport Operators

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed commercial transport operators operating from illegal motor parks and roadside loading points across Abuja to relocate to designated bus terminals or face enforcement action.

The Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Chinedum Elechi, gave the directive during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Elechi warned that all unauthorised loading points would be shut down, while vehicles operating from illegal locations would be impounded without further notice.

He recalled that the administration had earlier directed transport operators to relocate to the ultra-modern bus terminals, beginning with the facility in Mabushi, as part of efforts to fully operationalise the city’s public transportation system.

According to him, the exercise is in line with the directive of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to restore order, improve security and promote a more organised transportation system in the nation’s capital.

Elechi stressed that Abuja, as Nigeria’s capital city, must operate a modern and efficient public transport system comparable to those in major world capitals.

He noted that the FCTA has invested billions of naira in the construction of ultra-modern bus terminals in Mabushi, Kugbo and the Central Business District, describing them as the first of their kind in the FCT’s 50-year history.

Beyond improving the city’s appearance and boosting tourism, he said centralising transport operations at designated terminals would help tackle insecurity, including the activities of “one chance” robbers, as well as drug and arms trafficking.

Elechi disclosed that a recent enforcement exercise uncovered illegal items in some impounded vehicles operating from unauthorised parks, reinforcing the administration’s decision to enforce compliance.

He explained that proper profiling of transport operators at official terminals would significantly enhance security across the city.

The mandate secretary added that the FCTA has partnered with private firms, including Planet Projects, under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement to ensure the effective management of the terminals.

He dismissed claims that the administration was attempting to deprive transport operators of their livelihoods, saying the objective was simply to move them from unsafe roadside locations into secure and well-equipped facilities.

Elechi also expressed concern over the repeated disregard for previous directives, noting that many operators returned to illegal loading points after their vehicles were released following earlier enforcement actions.

He warned that the Transport Secretariat has the legal authority under existing regulations to license operators, seal illegal motor parks, confiscate non-compliant vehicles and prosecute offenders.

The FCTA reiterated that, with the backing of the FCT Minister and the Presidency, it will maintain a zero-tolerance stance against illegal transport operations in its efforts to restore order, safety and sanity to Abuja’s transportation system.