The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that it will no longer allow unapproved taxi ranks and bus parks in Abuja’s city centre starting next year. This decision will take effect once the modern bus terminals currently under construction are completed.
This was disclosed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, during an inspection of two of the terminal sites located in Nyanya and Mabushi. The minister expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the projects and revealed that the illegal parks, which currently operate across the city, will be phased out once the terminals are operational.
Wike had previously stated that it would be unreasonable to take action against the operators of these illegal transport hubs without providing a functional alternative for commuters. However, with the new bus terminals nearing completion, this challenge is expected to be addressed soon.
“I am so excited. This site was flagged off on July 1 and within three months, you can see what they have been able to do. The time given to them is 15 months to complete the project, but with the speed the contractor is going, we believe it will be before that 15 months,” Wike said. He also mentioned that the contractors are confident the terminals at Mabushi and Kugbo will be ready for commissioning by January.
The minister emphasized that once the terminals are completed, taxis and buses will no longer be allowed to pick passengers from random spots along the roads, as everyone will be required to use the designated terminals. “By the time we finish these terminals, you don’t need to be having those ones,” Wike added. “We won’t allow buses and taxis to pick on the roads. Everybody has to move to the various terminals.”
Wike had earlier set a 15-month deadline for the completion of the projects, which would have stretched to October 2025. However, with the contractors’ assurance of faster delivery, Abuja residents may soon experience a more organized and efficient transportation system before the original deadline.
