By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has commenced moves to fully operationalise the newly completed Mabushi Bus Terminal as part of efforts to modernise public transportation, improve security and end the use of illegal roadside loading points across Abuja.
Mandate Secretary of the Transportation Secretariat, Chinedum Elechi, said the terminal would serve as one of the designated hubs for interstate transport operations, warning that operators would no longer be allowed to run commercial parks from unauthorised locations.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Elechi said the operationalisation of the facility followed months of consultations with transport operators and formed part of the administration’s plan to build an organised and secure public transport system for the nation’s capital.
According to him, the Mabushi terminal, alongside those in Kugbo and the Central Business District, represents the first set of modern government-owned bus terminals constructed in the 50-year history of the FCT.
“As we are all aware, last year, three bus terminals were built—one in Kugbo, one at Mabushi, and one in the Central Business District.
“And in the 50 years of FCT’s development, this is the first time an administration is building ultra-modern bus terminals.”
Elechi said while repair works were ongoing at the Kugbo terminal following damage caused by a windstorm, the Mabushi and Central Business District terminals were ready for full operations.
He explained that the facilities were developed under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement and would provide a safer, more organised environment for commercial transport operators and commuters.
The Mandate Secretary said the administration had repeatedly engaged transport unions and operators before deciding to commence enforcement.
“We have held several meetings with the operators, we have appealed, we have done that.
“But this one now, the Honorable Minister has given us 110% support to make sure the bus terminals are operational.”
Elechi dismissed claims that the exercise was aimed at frustrating transport operators, insisting that government had already provided better alternatives to the makeshift parks scattered across the city.
“We are not driving you away; we are asking you now that we have built a better place for you under the ambiance, under the comfort.
“We are not taking food from anybody because we’re asking you to leave those unhealthy places, those unsafe places to modern bus terminals built with billions of Naira.”
He said operators travelling to destinations such as Aba, Lokoja, Owerri and Sokoto would now be expected to operate from designated terminals instead of picking passengers from roadsides or private premises converted into motor parks.
The Mandate Secretary said the reforms were aimed not only at improving the appearance of Abuja but also at tackling criminal activities linked to unregulated transport operations.
“The problem of ‘one chance’, the problem of insecurity, the problem of drug trafficking, the problem of arms trafficking will be half-solved if we have a proper transportation system where operators are profiled,” he said.
He disclosed that officials made disturbing discoveries during a recent enforcement exercise, saying some commercial vehicles impounded from illegal loading points were found carrying “highly illegal products.”
“About two weeks ago, when we did our first trial enforcement, believe it or not, some of the vehicles we impounded had highly, highly illegal products in them.
“I will not tell you what we saw, but what we saw was frightening.”
Elechi said previous enforcement exercises were followed by appeals from operators, leading the administration to release more than 100 impounded vehicles after obtaining written undertakings that the owners would comply with the law.
He, however, said the operators returned to the roads in violation of those undertakings, describing the situation as a game of “cat and mouse.”
“So, I’m only saying that we’re ready. I, Mandate Secretary of Transportation, I’m ready. Government is ready.
“So, whoever thinks that government policies should not be obeyed, we’re going to have to clean up the city.”
He added that operators who ignored the directive to relocate to the designated terminals risked having their vehicles impounded and prosecuted through mobile courts established under existing transport regulations.
