By Daniel Tyokua
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Joint Task Force Team on Thursday, impounded over four hundred commercial motorcycles popularly known as Okada over traffic violations in the Federal Capital City (FCC).
The seizure followed combing of strategic spots that the okada operators use as their routes for operations.
The team combed Kpaduma II, Asokoro Extension, Galadimawa by Primary School, Gudu market, Kabusa junction and Apo mechanic.
Speaking before crushing of the impounded motorcycles at Area 1, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Garba Haruna said the exercise was a sign that the law on okada ban was still enforce.
“FCT residents are aware that motorcycles had been banned from entering the Federal Capital City since 2006, crushing of the okada is to show a signal that the city centre is not an area for them to operate.
“There are designated areas for them to operate, that is the suburbs of FCT, so the recalcitrant type will learn from this exercise. We don’t want to see any motorcycle in the city centre” Haruna said.
On his part, the Director FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Abdulateef Bello said the new Minister of FC, Nyesom Wike has given the Directorate a marching order to ensure commercial motorcyclists and Keke NAPEP operators are taken off Abuja roads.
He explained that despite the fact that the DRTS has been working hard to sustain the ban on okada riders within the Abuja metropolis since it was put in place in 2006, the recalcitrant operators keep returning to the roads.
According to him, the Administration had declared zero tolerance to the illegal activities and would ensure the effort is sustained under the new administration.
