FCTA Issues Ultimatum To Abuja Transport Operators Over Illegal Parks, Threatens Shutdown

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a fresh ultimatum to commercial transport operators running illegal parks and roadside loading points across Abuja, directing them to relocate to approved bus terminals or risk closure and sanctions.

The Mandate Secretary, FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, gave the warning on Thursday during a press conference in Abuja, stating that all unauthorised loading points would be shut down while vehicles belonging to defaulters would be impounded without further notice.

Elechi said the directive was part of ongoing efforts by the FCT Administration to restore order, improve transportation systems, and enhance security in the nation’s capital.

He recalled that transport operators had earlier been directed to move their operations to fully functional ultra-modern bus terminals, beginning with the facility located in Mabushi.

According to him, the move was driven by the mandate of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to ensure a more organised, secure, and modern transportation system in Abuja.

“The Federal Capital City is the capital of Nigeria, just like London is to the UK or Paris to France.

“Our capital cannot be different. At the root of decency and a modern city is a functional public transportation system. The days of everybody doing what they like in the FCT are over,” he said.

The FCTA official disclosed that the administration had invested billions of naira in the construction of modern transit terminals in Mabushi, Kugbo and the Central Business District (CBD).

He described the projects as the first of their kind in the 50-year history of the FCT, adding that the facilities were designed to improve mobility, enhance the city’s appearance and support tourism.

Beyond aesthetics, Elechi said the relocation of transport activities to designated terminals would help tackle insecurity, especially crimes associated with unregulated transport operations.

He specifically linked illegal loading points to criminal activities, including “one chance” robbery, drug trafficking and arms movement.

He said recent enforcement exercises carried out by the administration exposed the security risks associated with roadside transport operations.

“About two weeks ago, we carried out a trial enforcement and impounded vehicles after issuing quit notices.

“Believe it or not, we discovered highly illegal products inside some of those ad-hoc seizures. What we saw was frightening.

“As such, proper profiling of operators at official terminals will dramatically reduce citywide insecurity,” he said.

Elechi explained that the FCTA had partnered with private sector operators, including Planet Projects, through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to ensure effective management of the bus terminals.

He also dismissed concerns among transport operators that the relocation exercise was targeted at taking away their means of livelihood.

“We are not taking food from anybody’s table. We are asking you to leave unsafe, unhealthy roadside locations for modern bus terminals built with government resources. Nobody is going to lose anything,” he said.

The Mandate Secretary expressed disappointment over repeated violations by some operators, noting that previous enforcement efforts, including the impoundment of over 100 vehicles, had failed to achieve lasting compliance.

He said some drivers returned to illegal loading points shortly after signing undertakings to comply with government directives.

“They sign an undertaking, and the next day they are back on the road. It is a cat-and-mouse game, and we are tired of it.

“If you rent private premises or take over any small space and turn it into an illegal motor park, we will seal off the premises, impound your vehicles, and enforce the law to the letter,” he warned.

Elechi said the Transportation Secretariat had the legal backing to enforce compliance through Order 1 established under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the FCT Transportation Regulations, 2023.

He added that the secretariat had the authority to license operators, seal unauthorised transport facilities and confiscate vehicles operating outside approved locations.

“With full backing from the FCT Minister and the Presidency, we will maintain a zero-tolerance policy against illegal transport operations to restore order and safety to Abuja,” he said.