By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to dismantle illegal motor parks and roadside loading points as new bus terminals commence operations.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Mr. Chinedum Elechi, disclosed this at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, saying the enforcement exercise is aimed at restoring order to the capital’s transport system, as well as improving commuter safety and tackling crimes like “one
chance ” linked to unregulated transport operations.
Elechi explained that intercity transport services, including routes to Kaduna, Aba, Lokoja, Owerri and Sokoto, would henceforth operate from designated terminals at Mabushi and Kugbo, while the Central Business District (CBD) terminal would serve intra-city buses, taxis, and e-hailing services.
He noted that the new bus terminals, the first of their kind in 50 years in the history of the FCT, are equipped with modern facilities capable of handling over 2,000 passengers, with utilities such as organized parking areas, shopping outlets, food courts, escalators, and cinemas under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with Planet Projects.
He disclosed that discussions are also ongoing with the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to provide dedicated spaces at the CBD terminal for staff shuttle buses.
Elechi, who linked transportation to public safety, said proper profiling of transport operators would significantly reduce incidents of “one chance” robberies, drug trafficking, and the movement of illegal arms.
He noted that repairs at the Kugbo Bus Terminal, following damage caused by a severe windstorm, are nearing completion, adding that the facility would soon join the Mabushi and CBD terminals in full operations.
The Mandate Secretary warned that the era of leniency was over, recalling that more than 100 impounded vehicles were previously released after operators signed undertakings to comply with transport regulations.
He warned that violators caught operating commercial parks on roadsides, open spaces, or private premises without government approval remain illegal and would face enforcement measures, including the sealing of illegal parks and impoundment of vehicles.
“We are not taking away anyone’s livelihood. We are simply relocating operators from unsafe roadside locations to modern facilities built to international standards,” he stated.
Furthermore, Elechi said that the Transportation Secretariat is addressing intermittent traffic signal failures caused by depleted solar batteries and faulty sensors, while urging residents to help protect traffic infrastructure from vandalism and theft.
