FCTA ups clampdown on unpainted taxi operators, impounds 57 vehicles

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has upped clampdown on unpainted taxis and others transporters operating in illegal motor parks and garages within the nation’s city centre.

To this end, no fewer than fifty-seven vehicles mostly those used as unpainted taxis were confiscated yesterday for allegedly engaging in commercial intral city transportation without registration.

In particular, officials of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) Ministerial Taskteam raided  some notorious spots around AYA in Asokoro, Federal Secretariat in Central Area and NICON Junction in Maitama respectively.

Also, the team stormed and evacuated about seven luxury vehicles used for hiring services on a road corridor in Maitama District.

Speaking during exercise, Head of the Taskteam, Adamu Shehu Maiwada, said the operation was pursuant to a standing Ministerial directive issued, due to the dangers of having unregistered taxis and illegal parking operators in the city.

Maiwada noted that most of the vehicles involved are mainly meant for private use, as they are not registered as commercial vehicles, which always operate as one chance and kidnapping syndicates in the city.

According to him, the impounded vehicles especially notorious offenders, will be taken to mobile court sitting at the premises of VIO office in Wuye District.

“For those who have been arrested more than three or four times will be arraigned before the Mobile court, and upon conviction, the offenders will be made to pay certain fines depending on the offences committed.

“It’s very important to clampdown on the increasing rate of unregistered taxis and illegal motor parks in the Territory, because it’s a menace, and people are complaining about it.

“We have been coming to these areas for more than ten times, to clear illegal parking, so as to ensure that the nuisance they constitute will be over,” he stressed.

He continued: “Really, there are approved bus stops in the nation’s capital city, where vehicles are expected to pick and drop off passengers.

“Taxis have no garage, as they are meant to pick and drop off passengers, so anywhere you see taxi loading within the city centre is illegal”.

Similarly, Head of Public Relations and Enlightenment unit of the DRTS, Kalu Emetu explained that the exercise is part of the core functions of the DRTS, to ensure that what is considered illegal is not allowed to continue happening on Abuja roads, thereby making sure that people obey traffic laws.

“Everything in Abuja, we go by the law so let’s ensure that we do the right, do not expect the government to always fold their hands to allow you to behave the way want.

“And why law enforcement officers are there is to ensure people are made to obey the law. Hence, not only our men (DRTS officials), but other paramilitary are seeing driving round the town checking the menace,” Kalu stated.