The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr. Nysom Wike, has announced that the FCT Administration has finalized preparations to introduce new buses and taxis for public transportation in Abuja.
Wike, revealing this information during a significant meeting with estate developers in Abuja on Tuesday, emphasized that this initiative aims to tackle the issue of “one chance” operators in the FCT.
The minister reassured FCT residents that the buses and taxis would be introduced within the coming month.
“I assure you that once the buses and taxis are on the road, the problem of “one chance” will be a thing of the past.
“However, if you make the mistake of going to a taxi or bus that is not our own, it is your own problem.”
“The buses and taxis will ply the routes of Maitama, Asokoro, and other parts of the city,” he said.
He additionally mentioned that, in order to guarantee the utmost security for residents, the FCTA would remove commercial tricycle operators from Abuja, noting that some of these operators were accomplices to criminals.
“I know some of you will say, ‘Oh! We are struggling.’ I know they are struggling to have something. I agree, but our interest is to protect our city.”
“I will not because you are dying of hunger and allow people to die. I have to protect the people who are doing genuine business in our city,” he added.
The minister clarified that stringent measures were not enforced against tricycle operators due to the absence of public buses and taxis as alternative modes of transportation on the roads.
He said, “We could not take action without providing an alternative. Now that we have the alternative, we are not afraid to take that action.”
“They should move to the rural areas.”
According to reports the incidence of “one chance” is on the increase in the city, with many residents falling victim to criminal acts. The worst hit are civil servants and journalists.
Criminal organizations, posing as both commercial drivers and passengers, utilize ‘one chance’ vehicles, especially within Abuja city, particularly during closing hours and late into the night.
They attract unsuspecting victims by posing as regular taxis, subsequently robbing passengers of their belongings.
Many of these operators resort to using force to deplete victims’ bank accounts through point-of-sale machines, as reported by the victims.