Use approved terminals or risk vehicle seizure – FCTA warns transport operators

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned commercial transport operators still using illegal motor parks and roadside loading points in Abuja to relocate to approved bus terminals or risk having their vehicles seized.

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

Elechi said all unauthorised loading points across the Federal Capital Territory would be shut down, while operators who refuse to comply would have their vehicles impounded.

He explained that transport operators had earlier been directed to move their operations to the newly built bus terminals, beginning with the terminal in Mabushi.

“This enforcement exercise is part of the FCT Minister’s directive to restore order, strengthen security and build a modern and well-organised transportation system in Abuja,” Elechi said.

“The Federal Capital City is the capital of Nigeria, just like London is to the UK or Paris is to France. Our capital cannot be different. At the root of a decent and modern city is a functional public transportation system. The days of everybody doing what they like in the FCT are over,” Elechi said.

He disclosed that the FCTA had invested billions of naira in constructing modern bus terminals in Mabushi, Kugbo and the Central Business District, describing them as the first of their kind in the FCT.

“Relocating transport operations to approved bus terminals is not just about making Abuja look better. It will also help reduce crimes such as ‘one chance’ robberies and curb the movement of illegal drugs and weapons,” Elechi said.

He recalled that during a recent enforcement exercise, officials discovered suspicious items after impounding vehicles operating from illegal parks.

Elechi said the FCTA carried out a trial enforcement exercise about two weeks earlier, during which vehicles were impounded after operators ignored quit notices.

He added that officials found illegal items in some of the seized vehicles, stressing that profiling transport operators at approved terminals would significantly improve security across Abuja.

The Mandate Secretary said the FCTA had partnered with private firms, including Planet Projects, under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement to manage the bus terminals.

“This exercise is not meant to take away anyone’s livelihood. Our goal is to move operators from unsafe roadside locations to modern and secure bus terminals. Unfortunately, despite repeated warnings and the release of previously impounded vehicles, many operators keep returning to illegal loading points,” Elechi said.

He said more than 100 vehicles had earlier been impounded, while their owners were released after signing undertakings to stop operating from illegal locations.

Elechi expressed frustration that many operators returned to illegal loading points shortly after signing undertakings to stop the practice.

He warned that the FCTA would seal any private premises converted into illegal motor parks, impound vehicles operating from such locations and strictly enforce the law against offenders.

Elechi added that the Transportation Secretariat derives its powers from the Transportation Regulations of 2023 and other existing laws, which empower it to license transport operators, seal illegal parks and confiscate vehicles that violate the regulations.