‘One Chance’: Wike to ban unpainted taxis, buses in Abuja, Uber, Bolt operators to be registered

THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in a measure to stem the tide of taxi robbery, otherwise known as ‘One Chance,’ has said it would soon begin the recertification of all taxis as well as ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt.

Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this at a media interface in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Often posing as taxi operators, armed robbers and kidnappers use taxis to abduct passengers, rob and sometimes kill them.

The miscreants had, on a few occasions, reportedly held their victims for hours, demanding ransoms from their relatives.

Noting that crime may not be completely eliminated in any state or country, Wike said what is important is to make sure that proactive steps are taken against their occurrences or that when they do occur, the perpetrators are either arrested or the people protected.

He said: “On ‘one chance,’ remember there was a time it was an issue in this city. We were able to bring it down.

“What we are trying to do now which we did not do in December but which we think we can achieve by this February is that we are not going to allow vehicles without FCT colours, that is, not registered by the FCTA, to operate commercially.

In that way, you know the driver is approved and his vehicle is approved by the FCTA so that as a passenger, you don’t take the risk of boarding a vehicle that you don’t even know.”

Asked whether the policy would apply to ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt, the minister said: “They would have to be registered too.

“It tells you who the drivers are. We need to certify them. We need to profile them using the security agencies. This is a city and if we don’t have rules, it will be a problem.”

The minister, who expressed surprise that a world-class capital city like Abuja does not have a single loading terminal, said this year, he hopes to establish at least three of such terminals.

“I am surprised to note that a city like this does not have a loading terminal that takes charge of that. You know the drivers and vehicles that you are boarding. But now, everybody is just on the road.

“What we are trying to do by the grace of God in this fiscal year is to start with three terminals so that we know the buses and taxis from such terminals. Nobody would take the risk of going to the road to wait for taxis. If we do that, we will be able to reduce crime.

“I am not saying that with the provision of all these that you won’t have one or two crimes; it is not possible to eliminate crimes completely, but you can reduce it drastically,” he said.

In a related development, the minister directed chairmen of the six area councils in the FCT to strengthen their local vigilance teams by ensuring that their needs are adequately met.

Wike, who disclosed this at a security town hall meeting with stakeholders and residents of Kwali area council on Tuesday in Kwali town, said his administration has almost concluded procurement processes for more security vehicles.

He promised to ensure swift deployment of the vehicles and to provide more motorcycles to the vigilance teams.

He said: “I have listened to what the chairman has said. The chairman has virtually requested for everything but he has not told me what he has done.

“For me, whatever that is going to bring development or improve security, government has no hesitation. The president has directed me to let you know he feels your pains and that is why he has said I must go and see all the councils, talk to them and tackle insecurity headlong.

“I can assure you that in a matter of days you will be hearing positive stories. We are ready to support our security agencies with whatever they need to ensure that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

“We have almost concluded procurement of vehicles for security agencies. We are going to provide the councils with motorcycles to support the vigilance teams so that they can get information and assist the security agencies.”

Meanwhile, officials of the FCTA have started profiling areas worst hit by kidnapping.

Director, the Department of Development Control of the FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the team, said the exercise was to ascertain the causes of kidnappings and solutions.

At the commencement of the profiling at Sagwari Layout Estate, Dutse in Bwari Area Council, where kidnappers abducted some residents recently, Galadima said the officials, with support of security agencies, would identify buildings without approval and other illegal activities in the area.

According to him, the area is surrounded by structures built without the consent of development control, which aid criminals to operate.

Galadima, who was represented by the deputy director monitoring and enforcement, Hassan Ogbole, blamed the poor planning on the local chief with his subjects.

He said after profiling, the department would recommend necessary measures that would curb the activities of criminals.

“The exercise is a fact-finding mission and part of the department periodic monitoring of development.

Secretary, Command and Control, Security Department, FCTA, Dr Peter Olumuji, said the lapses were promoted by illegal activities being promoted by locals.