FCT to stop unpainted cabs from October 1

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) transport secretariat has said that it will clamp down on commercial vehicle operators who fail to register unpainted vehicles before October 1.

Speaking to NAN, Mr Ifeanyi Ughamadu, the head, public relations unit of the secretariat, said the deadline had been communicated to all commercial drivers in the FCT at an earlier date, advising them to register with recognised licensed taxi operators, in order to have their data captured.

He said the secretariat had evolved a policy that would not allow unpainted taxis access into estates in the territory, among other measures.

“We have come up with a policy that all estate managers should allow only the registered taxis and disallow the unregistered cabs by October 1,” he said.

“You know registered taxis by their side numbers boldly written on the taxi. A vehicle may be painted with Abuja colour but not registered.

“The FCTA has directed the Vehicle Inspection Office and other law enforcement agencies to be on the look out for enforcement. Any `kabu kabu’ that violates the law will be apprehended.”

He said the data capturing is free, explaining that the details of the registration will be made available to estate managers to ensure a trouble-free and safe transport system.

“We regulate transport in the FCT; I do not think any hospital, hotel or company will stop a driver who is duly registered and licensed from entering its premises.

“There are a lot of benefits for using registered vehicles because their identity and personal information is known. It will curb crime and illegal activities.”

He listed the licensed operators for taxis as NURTW Mass Transit Ltd, Painted Abuja Taxi (PAT), Self-Employed Commercial Drivers Association (SECDA), Road Transport Employers Association and SURE-P Taxis.

Reacting to the order, a cross section of the drivers said the plan would impact negatively on their business, noting that operating with unpainted cars was profitable and prestigious.

One of the operators, Mr Ojonugba Ogboji, appealed to the government to be considerate.

“Operating unpainted taxi gives more patronage and reputation both to the passenger and driver than operating painted taxis,” he said.

“Most top officials and rich men use unpainted taxis a lot  because of its privacy, luxury and comfort.”

Mr Friday Oboshi, another driver, complained that drivers of painted vehicles suffered humiliation even after registering their vehicles.

“Once you register, you will not go to some places like hotel premises, airport, estates like the Sun City Estate and many offices,” said Obosho.

“Many people don’t like the painted cars and the red plate numbers they bear which signifies they are for commercial purpose.

“Some police officers also like to intimidate and harass the drivers of those painted vehicles whereas they cannot do same to us.”

Meanwhile, Mr Lawrence Fadipe, the secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) mass transit company Limited, one of the licensed operators, said the all the FCT licensed operators had agreed to comply with the order.