By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Administration says the newly constructed Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal is helping to curb criminal activities linked to commercial transportation in Abuja.
The FCTA Transportation Secretariat explains that the ongoing enforcement against illegal motor parks, which began on July 1, is aimed at relocating all commercial vehicles to the Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal, in line with the directive of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to dismantle unauthorised transport hubs across the capital.
Mandate Secretary of the 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 Usman Abdulmumin, Elechi said the exercise forms part of efforts to rid the territory of criminal elements operating from illegal motor parks and other unauthorised transport locations.
He said vehicles impounded during the first day of the operation would be released after their owners complete the necessary 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, Command and Control, FCTA, Dr. Peter Olumuji, warned that allowing illegal motor parks to thrive in the nation’s capital would undermine law and order.
He said personnel of the FCT Security Services Department were participating in the enforcement exercise to ensure full compliance with the ban, noting that many commercial vehicle operators would ignore the directive without adequate security presence.
Olumuji added that since the commencement of operations at the Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal and the enforcement exercise, public transportation in the FCT has become more organised and orderly.
The Director of Transport Planning and Institutional Development at Planet Projects Limited, Mr. Demola Olawepo, said the terminal has adequate security and operational measures in place to guarantee the safety of passengers.
According to him, the introduction of the terminal has significantly reduced criminal activities previously associated with commercial transportation in Abuja.
One of the passengers, 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.
