130 smoking, rickety vehicles bear brunt of Abuja urban renewal exercise

Recent move by FCTA (Federal Capital Territory Administration) to implement new transport policy on its highway led to seizure130 vehicles believe not to be road worthy.

FCTA is Abuja, Nigeria’s capital’s administrative parastatal, and it has of late been insistent on following through its new commercial ride policies through its Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS).

The impounded vehicles include cars, tricycles and bikes used as commercial transport in Abuja.

Aside slowing traffic resulting in loss of man hour, the service alleges that the culprits are involved in criminal activities in Abuja.

DRTS Director, Dr. Abdulateef Bello, revealed that these vehicles were confiscated during a recent reinforced raid on unroadworthy vehicles within the capital city.

Most of these vehicles, as alleged by Bello, were reportedly used for “one-chance” and other related crimes.

Speaking during an inspection of the impounded vehicles, Bello emphasized that the objective of the raid was to restore sanity to the city, eliminate traces of insecurity, and ensure seamless traffic flow.

“This is an assignment that we have taken upon us in line with the vision of the current administration to guarantee zero tolerance for insecurity in the FCT. We will not rest until we ensure that all substandard (rickety) vehicles used for criminality are removed from the city.”

Bello noted a substantial reduction in “one-chance” criminal activities due to the efforts of the Directorate and other sister agencies in the past month. The focus has been on pushing such vehicles back to existing taxi ranks and discouraging businesses on road corridors.

For individuals involved in criminal activities, Bello highlighted that they are handed over to the police for prosecution. Regarding the impounded vehicles, they will undergo standard verification for registration, roadworthiness, and other necessary checks. Some vehicles may face penalties through the mobile court, while those deemed unfit for the road will be crushed after allowing owners to retrieve valuables.

The DRTS director affirmed the commitment to complementary roles, supporting relevant agencies to ensure safety and security on the roads. The ongoing efforts aim to maintain a conducive environment for all residents in the Federal Capital Territory.

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