The Directorate of Road Transport Services (DRTS) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has initiated the demolition of shops, eateries, and other unauthorized structures within taxi ranks across Abuja, the capital city.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the demolition started with Area 3 and Banex Junction Taxi Ranks in Abuja on Friday.
In Area 3 Taxi Rank, the DTRS team, supported by security agencies, demolished car wash, mechanic workshop, cinema house, and eateries among others, operating within the ranks.
At Banex Junction Taxi Rank, the taxis were not using the ranks because they had been taken over by miscreants who use
the space to sell hard drugs, including adulterated fuel and diesel.
Mrs Deborah Osho, the Head of Operations, DRTS, who led the team, explained that the measure was to give room for more taxis to operate within the ranks.
This, according to her, will discourage illegal taxi parks across the city on grounds that there is no enough space in the taxi ranks.
She added that the move would also address the menace of “one chance” operators, who took advantage of the illegal parks to perpetuate their evil deeds.
She pointed out that most of the taxi ranks were not being used for taxi operations but criminals’ hideout, selling hard drugs.
Osho explained that the decision to demolish and clear the taxi ranks of illegal structures was reached after a meeting with transport stakeholders on the need for a cleaner and serene environment in the FCT.
She said, “On Monday, the DRTS invited stakeholders in the transportation sector for a meeting, and one of the resolutions was to clear the taxi ranks for taxis to operate inside the ranks.
“We have equally handed over a space around Eagle Square for taxi operators to use as temporary, to stop the menace of illegal parks around the Federal Secretariat.
“We are prepared to clean all taxi ranks in 2024, to ensure that motorists board taxis inside the taxi ranks and not outside.
“This in the long run, will address the menace of `one chance’ in the city.”
Dr Peter Olumuji, the Secretary, Command and Control Centre, Department of Security Service, FCTA, said “one chance happens when people do not have a secured taxi rank to board vehicles.
“After going round with DRTS officials, we noticed that most of the taxi ranks were occupied by people that were not meant to be there.
“But as we clear these illegal structures, more vehicles will be coming into the ranks so that commuters will be able to board safe and secured taxis to their various destinations.
“This is a joint effort that will continue.”
Olumuji said that to sustain the clean taxi ranks operations, there was need for more personnel for DRTS and vehicular assets to move to every nuke and cranny of the city.
He added that the Department of Development Control also needs more wheel loaders and caterpillars for clearance operations.
He expressed confidence that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, would provide the manpower and logistics needed to keep the capital city clean and serene.