By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday commenced clearing of shops, eateries, and other illegal structures in taxi ranks across the capital city, Abuja.
The demolition began with Area 3 and Banex Junction Taxi Ranks, in Abuja.
The DTRS supported by security agencies at the Area 3 Taxi Rank, demolished operating structures such as car wash, mechanic workshop, cinema house, and eateries among others, operating within the ranks.
The Taxi Rank at Banex Junction was abandoned by taxis because they had been taken over by miscreants and were using the space to sell hard drugs, including adulterated fuel and diesel.
Head of Operations, DRTS, Mrs. Deborah Osho, who led the team, explained that the measure was to give room for more taxis to operate within the ranks.
She stated that it will discourage illegal taxi parks across the city on grounds that there was not enough space in the taxi ranks.
According to her, the move would also address the menace of “one chance” operators, who took advantage of the illegal parks to perpetuate their evil deeds.
She noted during the exercise that most of the taxi ranks were not being used for taxi operations but serving as criminals’ hideout and selling of hard drugs, including petroleum products.
Osho said that the decision to demolish and clear the taxi ranks of all illegal structures was reached after a meeting with transport stakeholders on the need for a cleaner and serene environment in FCT.
“On Monday, the DRTS had invited all the stakeholders in the transportation sector for a meeting, and one of the resolutions was to clear the tax ranks for taxis to operate inside the ranks.
“We have equally handed over a space around Eagle Square for tax operators to use as a temporary taxi rank, to stop the menace of illegal parks around the Federal Secretariat.”
“We are prepared to clean all taxi ranks in 2024, to ensure that motorists board taxis inside the taxi ranks and not outside.”
“This eventually, will address the menace of “one chance” in the city,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, Command and Control Centre, Department of Security Service, FCTA, said, “One chance happens when people do not have a secured taxi rank to board vehicles.”
“Haven gone round with DRTS officials, we noticed that most of the taxi ranks were occupied by people that were not meant to be there, and not given room to taxi owners to use the space.”
“But as we clear these illegal structures, more vehicles will be coming into the ranks so that commuters will be able to board safe and secured taxis to their various destinations.”
“This is a joint effort that will continue,” he said.
Olumuji said that to sustain the clean taxi ranks operations, there was a need for more personnel for DRTS and vehicular assets to move to every nuke and crannies of the city.
He added that the Department of Development Control also requires more wheel loaders and caterpillars for clearance operations.
Furthermore, he expressed confidence that the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike would provide all the manpower and logistics needed to keep the capital city clean and serene.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Richard Siso, Deputy Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, described the development as the best for transport operators in the nation’s capital.
“This is what we have been asking the government to help us do and thanked God the government has listened to us and has come out to clear the parks for us. We are in full support,” Siso said.
Also, Mr Oladipupo Ebijuni, Chairman and Director Enforcement, Painted Abuja Taxi said, “we are very happy with what is happening here. I want to assure DRTS of our full support.”
