BREAKING: Uber can’t operate in Abuja, according to new rules by nation’s capital minister

• Bolt, Nairaxi, only ride hailing app licensed in federal capital

Long standing ride hailing concern, Uber, may have been excluded from operating within the vicinity of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, after a new list of licensed operators were released late Monday this week, DDM can report.

The move is part of the much anticipated overhaul of public transport in Nigeria’s national capital promised by Nyisom Wike, Minister, FCT.

The list of the new taxi hailing service was made public through its Transportation Secretariat.

Minister of FCT, Nyisom Wike, had last month promised to place restriction on taxi service operation in Abuja.

The ministry, recently granted licences to only Nairaxi and Bolt to operate ride-hailing apps in the territory under its Public Transport Management Scheme.

Nothing is said yet about other operators in the same subsector.

The approval designates Bolt and NAIRAXI as the exclusive licensed ride-hailing operators authorised to provide on-demand transport and logistics services using mobile applications in FCT.

This announcement was made in a statement published by FCTA Transportation Secretariat through its Public Transport Management Scheme under the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS-FCT).

“The Administration will soon commence enforcement operations on non-compliant operators, and others are expected to initiate their licensing processes to avoid being banned from operating in the FCT.

“This move aims to tackle insecurity challenges through verifiable data tracking and other significant benefits in the nation’s capital.

“The licensing of NAIRAXI and Bolt will improve and regulate e-ride-hailing operations while elevating service excellence in the FCT.

“The FCTA will initiate immediate enforcement operations to clamp down on unlicensed operators in Abuja,” the statement read.

The Public Transport Management Scheme also warns of a potential ban on operators without the FCTA Public Transport Management License.

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