The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA would resume implementation of the Minibus restriction policy on the 7th February in the Federal Capital City.
The administration emphasized that the policy was not an outright ban on the operations of minibuses in the Territory but a restriction to some routes for sanity on the roads in the city to enhance business
operation.
In the same vein the FCTA also warned operators of minibuses and their supporters to desist from harassing, attacking and destruction of the High capacity busses that would commence full operation in February, 2013 as such action would attract the full wrath of the law.
Senior Special Assistant to FCT minister on Information and Management System, Hajia Jamila Tangaza said this while addressing journalists on the administration preparedness to reintroduce and begin full
implementation of the policy.
Tangaza also warned those engaged in attacking and destruction of the HC Buses constituted acts of criminality added that any person caught would be dealt with in accordance with the law
It would be recalled that the Minibus operation restriction policy was trailed by series of controversies that forcing the administration to extend the commencement of the policy by three weeks to allow for
better enlightenment on the policy amongst residents.
Her words: The Federal Capital Territory Administration is hereby announcing the commencement of the implementation of routes delineation for mini and high capacity buses in the Federal Capital
Territory from the 7th of February 2013, the measure entails a restriction of operations of mini buses popularly known as ‘Araba’ to certain routes and the high capacity ones to other routes in the
city.”
Tangaza said the routes delineation was necessitated by the need to curb congestion, persistent gridlocks, chaos, reduce traffic accidents, enhance security and ensure traffic sanity on the major
roads and interchanges in the nation’s capital city to restore sanity to the city routes and enhance business time .
To achieve this, “mini buses can operate on Mombassa to Michael Opara to Olusegun Obasanjo to Moshood Abiola Area 1 axis. Area 1 to Gudu Market to Apo Mechanic Village. Area 1 to Gudu by Cementary to Apo Mechanic Village.
Other routes include Jabi to Mbora to Kaura to Gudu Market, Jabi to Mbora to Suncity to Apo Mechanic village, Gwarimpa to Life Camp entrance by 1st gate, Bwari Town to Dutse Alhaji Expressway onex,
Kubwa 2nd gate to Gado Nasko road to Kubwa 1st gate and Mpape to Murtala Mohammed Expressway junction,” Tangaza stressed.
Areas the mini buses are not allowed to operate in the city according to Hajia Tangaza include Wuse market to Eagle square to Asokoro to AYA to Nyanya, Area 3 junction to Tafawa Balewa to Herbert Marcaulay Way to Berger junction to Jabi, Gudu market to Apo quarters to Ahmadu Bello way to Federal Secretariat to Gwarimpa and AYA to Shehu Shagari to Federal Secretariat to Transcorp Hilton junction.
She explained that the aim of the transportation policy was not to deny mini bus operators their means of livinglihood but to bring sanity to the transport system in the FCT, stressing that the transportation fare has been reduced to ensure that the policy did not bring untold hardship to residents.
In its reaction, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, said it the new transport policy of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA as it is aimed at sanitizing the transportation system, enhance security and promote the aesthetics of the city.
The Council in a statement in Abuja signed by the chairman, Comrade Chuks Ehirim, observed that the traffic situation in the fastest growing modern city in Africa, was at best chaotic, disorganised and
pose grave security threat to the wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.
It therefore welcomed the concerted effort of the Sen. Bala Mohammed-led FCTA to take practical and workable steps to address the traffic problem by designating specific routes for all categories of
buses.
The statement reads: “The NUJ FCT Council welcomes the practical and workable steps taken by the FCTA to address the chaotic traffic situation in the FCT by designating routes for all categories of
buses. We have no doubt that the new measure is aimed at sanitizing the deplorable existing traffic congestion occasioned by gross indiscipline especially from operators of mini buses in the territory.
It is however important for all residents and motorists to understand that minis buses have not been entirely banned from FCT roads rather they cannot ply some routes.
“As professionals tasked with monitoring government on behalf of the people and hold its officials accountable, the Council can say that the policy is in the overall interest of all of us and for the future and sustainability of the FCT.
“We therefore urge all residents of the FCT to give the administration the necessary support and cooperation to ensure that this policy succeeds. There is little doubt that every new policy will have its
teething problems, the NUJ urges the FCTA to work speedily in addressing any problem that might arise with the new transport policy so that residents do not suffer unduly.”
It also called on stakeholders to ensure that they abide by the terms of agreement concerning the designated routes as well as roll out all the buses made available to them under the SURE-P.
