The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that the owners of 149 impounded vehicles, along with 100 tricycles and motorcycles in the FCT, will be required to appear before a mobile court to address various traffic offenses.
Dr. Abdulateef Bello, the Director of FCTA Directorate of Road Traffic Services, commonly known as Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIO), made this declaration in Abuja on Friday, following an inspection of the impounded vehicles.
Dr. Bello, who visited several VIO Commands where these impounded vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles were stored, emphasized that the owners would face significant penalties for their traffic violations.
These offenses encompassed actions such as unauthorized parking, driving against traffic flow, operating unregistered and unpainted taxis, as well as running illegal motor parks.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to simple rules and regulations, stating that it is more cost-effective to comply with the law.
Commercial motorists were advised to register and operate within approved routes and motor parks, instead of picking passengers indiscriminately along road corridors.
Tricycle operators were also instructed to operate within pre-defined road plans and not to enter the city but transport passengers traveling to estates and suburban areas.
Dr. Bello revealed that traffic regulations had been reviewed, and fines would be increased accordingly.
Traffic offenders would incur substantial penalties when facing the mobile court, serving as a deterrent to others.
The director explained that the Directorate of Road Traffic Services was collaborating with the Transport Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to revise existing road traffic policies for improved traffic management.
This effort aims to ensure effective regulation of road traffic.
He acknowledged that the challenge of unregistered vehicles operating illegally in the city would persist until the Abuja Mass Transit system becomes fully operational to cater to commuters’ needs.
Nonetheless, he expressed confidence that these issues would eventually become a thing of the past.
