The Senate, on Thursday, resolved to check the tide of illegal motor parks and pick-up points within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The upper chamber consequently urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the VIO, FRSC, and other relevant agencies to immediately commence a joint task force to step up activities to eradicate the illegal garages and pick-ups within the metropolis.

The Senate’s resolution followed a motion sponsored by Ahmed Wadada (SDP-Nasarawa) and co-sponsored by Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT) during plenary.

The upper chamber also urged the joint task force to enforce the penalty for creating illegal garages within the FCT.

Moving the motion, Mr Wadada said the FCT was perhaps the fastest growing city in Africa with the influx of people from all parts of the nation, thereby putting pressure on existing facilities and causing increased vehicular traffic.

“Even though the Abuja master plan has designated motor parks and garages for pick ups and drop off of passengers, transporters in the FCT have formed the terrible habit of picking up and dropping off passengers indiscriminately,” he said.

Mr Wadada said that if the illegal pick up and drop off at non-designated parking zones were not controlled or eliminated, it may, in addition to causing accidents become a serious security threat and concern in the FCT.

Supporting the motion, Ms Kingibe said the issues must be addressed in the FCT being the nation’s capital.

Isa Jibril (APC-Kogi) said, “I believe that the illegal motor parks should be scrapped immediately, and any of the motorists that do not go with the rules of parking, there should be appropriate sanctions that would serve as deterrence to airing motorists.”

In his remarks, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary, said, “It’s an eyesore what we see every day in Abuja where everywhere has been turned to garage not befitting our capital city, which is the number one symbol of this country.

“The FCT committee, when constituted, should be able to do its oversight functions properly.

“They should put pressure on the FCT Administration to do what they are supposed to do by making sure we have a befitting city that we can all be proud of.”

(NAN)