The enforcement task force of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has impounded 40 commercial vehicles for operating outside the Mabushi bus and taxi terminal, Abuja.

Peter Olumuji, secretary of the command and control centre of the FCTA security services department, disclosed this shortly after an enforcement exercise in Utako, Abuja, on Friday.

Mr Olumuji explained that the 40 vehicles were impounded from Wednesday to Friday, as part of measures to ensure all commercial vehicles operating on the roadside moved to the bus terminal.

The FCT transport secretariat had, on June 21, announced the commencement of operations at the Mabushi bus and taxi terminal.

Consequently, the secretariat directed ad hoc motor parks at Utako and Banex areas to relocate to the bus terminal on or before June 24.

Mr Olumuji explained that the vehicles were impounded for operating outside the bus terminal, against the directive of the FCT transport secretariat.

According to him, vehicle owners will be prosecuted and sanctioned in line with the extant traffic regulations of the FCT.

He added that police also detained some persons for obstructing the lawful enforcement exercise.

He explained that the enforcement was intended to ensure that commercial vehicles operate within the prescribed area for commuter safety.

The secretary added that the bus terminals were established to serve as clearing hubs for commuters within the FCT.

He added that “the security benefit of the bus terminal is that whenever you board a vehicle, you are boarding a vehicle that is registered and you know the person driving it.

“The enforcement will continue until 100 per cent compliance is achieved.”

An official of the FCT transport secretariat, Usman Abdulmuminu, said several notices had been issued to commercial vehicle operators to move to the bus terminal.

Mr Abdulmuminu added that jingles on the operation of the bus terminal were also aired on television and radio stations, noting that a significant number of operators had complied.

“Beyond the operators, the enforcement was also to enlighten residents that the bus terminal had opened for business,” he said.

On his part, Demola Olawepo, the transport planning director at Planet Projects, the operator of the terminal, said the bus terminal could accommodate about 250 vehicles under an active flow-through system.

Mr Oladepo urged commercial vehicle owners to take advantage of the organised, secured and serene facilities, designed to provide commuters with a safe and conducive transport experience.

The general manager, operations, Kolawale Babatunde, told journalists at the bus terminal that operations started on July 1, adding that “about 800 passengers and 130 vehicles have been processed so far.

“So far, we’ve been having seamless operations because it is a new and different experience for passengers. It is a world-class bus terminal with all the facilities and runs just like an airport.

“The major benefit of the terminal is passengers’ safety because all the operators in the terminal are duly registered and licenced by the government.

“We can trace everybody operating in the terminal. Unlike vehicles operating on the roadside, we have all the data of the operators, the vehicles and their registration numbers.”

One of the drivers, Abdulsalami Dada, lauded the initiative, saying “we are enjoying the services, and everything is working well, better than operating on the roadside.”

A passenger, Chioma Okoro, who was boarding a vehicle to Kaduna at the terminal, described her experience as “joyful.

“I like the facilities and services. The officials are attending to customers with professionalism and everything. So, it’s okay, it’s nice. This is good,” she said.

The experience was no different for Adamu Emmanuel, who said he was attended to on time and seamlessly, saying, “My experience here has been really great.

“This is quite different from what we get on the roadside, and I really appreciate this. I processed my ticket in less than two minutes.

“I actually paid with my card, and immediately I made payment, my details were put down, and then I was attended to.”

(NAN)