FCTA to move against commercial motorcycles in Abuja

The Directorate of Road Traffic Service (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has vowed to move against commercial motorcycle riders with stringent measures to curb their perennial menace in restricted areas in Abuja.

The Director of Operations, DRTS, popularly known as VIO, Deborah Osho, disclosed this on Thursday, during the continuation of their clampdown on Okada operators at the Federal Medical Centre, EFCC and NASENI areas in Idu.

She said arrangements were in progress to adopt fresh measures against the challenge.

Osho added that reports from residents about the operations of commercial motorcycle operators were worrisome and must be tackled..

“We can’t be tired. It’s our mandate to rid the FCT of commercial bikes and that’s what we are doing, especially as long as they keep violating our rules and laws of traffic and transportation in FCT, we’ll continue to pick them up.

“Though we have picked some Okadas on some roads through Federal Medical Centre, FMC, to NASENI, these areas are not where Okadas are to ply. In fact, the Idu, NASENI and EFCC areas, we have a letter from the residents of the menace of Okada around there, even though they’re very much among the FCC.

“For now I can’t speak on the new measures until they are approved.
We’re even looking for stiffer measures to make sure that we rid the city of Okada menace,” she said.

The Secretary, Command and Control, FCTA, Dr Peter Olumuji said the operation was a fallout of Idu-Karmo residents’ passionate appeal to reduce the intensity of insecurity in the area.

“Especially those who live around Idu, Karimo axis, they have been complaining about the nefarious activities of these motorcyclists who are not even meant to operate in those places,” Olumuji said.

“Contrary to what people are saying, that seized motorcycles are being converted for security purposes by the FCT Minister, well this is a misconception by those who have refused to make enquiries on the true picture of things.

“The bikes that were inaugurated by the FCT Administration some few weeks ago are meant for security operations. It is not for commercial but for security purposes, and it is not even the bikes impounded by the Directorate of Road Transport Services, DRTS.

“Those bikes were specially bought for security operations the security agencies, the vigilantes and hunters who are complementing their efforts can now go into those difficult and mountainous areas in the border communities and a lot of arrests have been made because of the use of those bikes in difficult terrains,” he said.