The Senate has expressed stern disapproval of the burgeoning number of unauthorized motor parks and pickup points in Nigeria’s Capital Territory, calling for swift action to curtail this issue.
On Thursday, the Senate urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to shut down these illicit garages. It appealed to the FCT Administration, the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other pertinent agencies to immediately launch a joint task force. This task force will intensify efforts to eliminate the illegal garages, pickup, and drop-off points within the Federal Capital City. It will also ensure the enforcement of penalties for establishing illegal garages within the city.
These resolutions followed a motion titled, “Urgent Need to Stem the Tide of Illegal Motor Parks and Pick-Up Points within Abuja Metropolis.” This motion was championed by Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, SDP, Nasarawa West, and co-sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe, LP, FCT.
In his remarks, Senator Wadada stressed that the National Assembly has the constitutional authority to legislate for the FCT. He pointed out that the Federal Capital Territory, likely the fastest-growing city in Africa, has seen a significant increase in vehicular traffic due to a surge in population.
Despite designated motor parks and garages per the Abuja master plan, transporters in the city have fallen into the malpractice of picking up and dropping off passengers indiscriminately, including in non-designated zones. This habit has escalated traffic congestion and caused accidents.
