Nyisome Wike, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has recently unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at bolstering security within Abuja’s taxi services, including popular ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt. This initiative comes as a response to the increasing occurrences of taxi-related robberies, infamously known as ‘one chance.’
During a press briefing in Abuja, Minister Wike shed light on the critical issue of criminals masquerading as taxi drivers to commit robberies, abductions, and even violent crimes. To counter this, he announced a rigorous re-certification process for all commercial taxi operators in the capital.
A key feature of this new policy is the mandate for vehicles to bear the official FCT colors as a mark of their registration and approval by the FCTA, a move designed to enhance passenger safety and deter the use of unregistered vehicles for criminal purposes.
Furthermore, the Minister emphasized the importance of bringing ride-hailing services under this security umbrella. By certifying and thoroughly profiling drivers of services like Uber and Bolt, the FCTA aims to tighten security measures and ensure strict compliance with city regulations.
“It’s about knowing who the drivers are. Certification and profiling through security agencies are crucial,” stated Wike.
In addition to these measures, Minister Wike expressed his concern over the absence of official loading terminals in what is considered a world-class capital. To address this, the FCTA plans to establish at least three terminals within the current fiscal year. These terminals will centralize and regulate the operations of taxis and buses, providing a more controlled and monitored transportation system.
While acknowledging that it is impossible to eradicate crime entirely, Wike is confident that these steps will substantially reduce criminal activities related to taxi services in the city.
“We can’t eliminate crimes entirely, but we can drastically reduce them with these measures,” he remarked.
The FCTA’s initiative reflects a proactive stance towards public safety and aims to restore trust in the city’s taxi services while creating a more secure environment for transportation in Abuja.
