By Daniel Tyokua
The Enforcement Taskforce of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has confiscated 40 commercial vehicles for operating outside the newly designated Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal in Abuja.
Secretary of the FCTA Security Services Department’s Command and Control Centre, Dr Peter Olumuji, disclosed this shortly after an enforcement exercise in the Utako area of Abuja on Friday.
He said the 40 vehicles were impounded between Wednesday and Friday as part of efforts to enforce the directive requiring all commercial vehicles operating along the roadside to relocate to the Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal.
The FCT Transport Secretariat had, on June 21, announced the commencement of operations at the terminal and directed all operators at the ad hoc motor parks in Utako and Banex to relocate on or before June 24.
Olumuji said the affected vehicles were impounded for violating the directive by continuing to operate outside the approved terminal.
He said the owners of the vehicles would be prosecuted and sanctioned in accordance with the extant traffic regulations of the FCT.
In addition, Olumuji revealed that some persons were also arrested by the police for obstructing the lawful enforcement exercise.
Olumuji explained that the operation was aimed at ensuring that all commercial transport activities were conducted within designated locations to enhance the safety and security of commuters.
He noted that the bus terminal was established as a central transit hub to provide organised and secure transportation services within the FCT.
“The security benefit of the bus terminal is that whenever you board a vehicle, you are boarding one that is registered, and you know the identity of the driver.
“The enforcement exercise will continue until we achieve 100 per cent compliance,” he said.
