The Federal Capital Territory Administration has announced that the owners of 149 impounded vehicles, along with 100 tricycles and motorcycles in the FCT, are scheduled to appear before a mobile court due to a range of traffic violations.
The Director, of FCTA Directorate of Road Traffic Services, (also known as the Vehicle Inspection Officers), announced in Abuja on Friday that the owners of 149 impounded vehicles, 100 tricycles, and motorcycles will be prosecuted.
Bello, who visited some of the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) Commands where the impounded vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles were kept, warned that the owners would be severely punished for their violations.
He explained that the owners of the impounded vehicles were cited for various offenses, including parking in unauthorized areas, driving against traffic, and operating unregistered and unpainted taxis, as well as for operating illegal motor parks.
“I always advise that it is cheaper to be on the side of the law to obey simple rules and regulations.”
“We have asked commercial motorists to register and operate within the defined routes and motor parks and not to pick indiscriminately from the road corridors.”
“We have also told the tricycle operators to operate within the confines of the road plan, already agreed upon.”
“They are not supposed to come into the city. They are supposed to transport people that are going into estates and towards suburbs of the city,” he said.
He announced that the traffic regulations have been revised and that fines will also be increased.
He made known that traffic offenders would pay hugely when they face mobile court, “but I am sure it will serve as a deterrence”.
The Director of the FCTA Directorate of Road Traffic Services announced that the directorate is collaborating with the Transport Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to revise existing road traffic policies on traffic management. This is aimed at ensuring the effective regulation of road traffic.
The director acknowledged that until the Abuja Mass Transit is fully operational and meets the needs of commuters, the directorate will continue to struggle with unregistered vehicles operating illegally in the city.
“This is because it is a function of demand and supply, but I am sure in no distant time, all these will be a thing of the past,” he said.