Registered Unpainted Cars Can Operate in FCT – DRTS

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, through its Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, says duely registered unpainted cars can operate in the territory.

Head of Operations, DRTS, Deborah Osho gave this hint during an operation to clampdown on illegal taxi operators in Abuja.

Contrary to the belief that only owners of painted taxes are legally permitted to operate, Osho gave explanation on how owners of private cars can use them for taxi services without having to paint such vehicles when they do their due diligence.

According to her, some of the processes include proper registration of the private cars with relevant bodies and acquisition of unique identification and vehicle plate numbers for the vehicles.

“DRTS has a scheme called e-hailing, under which you have Uber and Bolt, among others.You will have a unique number plate that will be given to you”.

“Your vehicle may not be painted but you are registered with NIMC and DRTS; and there is no way you can be involved in one chance because we and other relevant agencies will have your data.

“If you want to be a taxi driver, be a driver with painted taxi, and if you want to be an e-hailing driver, go through the processes and get a unique number plate, where you will be seen. Because we have all your details, all your data with us, which we can use to trace you in the event of any eventualities.”

She however warned that anyone that commences taxi operation with due diligence, when caught will be treated as one- chance suspect when caught.

“If you cannot go through that process to become an e-hailing driver, then you choose to do other business.

“It is not by force to put your vehicle on the road unpainted and then you continue causing nuisance on the road…you are not registered with the unions, not registered with anybody, you are even a suspect”.

“You can even use your vehicle for one chance and we will not be able to trace it, because we might not have your data on our platform. And that is the reason why we are arresting unpainted taxi operators”, she explained.

Osho who said the defaulters would be made to face the mobile court, said twenty vehicles were impounded during the operations at Area 3, Apo Interchange under the bridge and the Three Arms Zone axis.

The DRTS Head Of Operations, expressed dismay over indiscriminate motor parks in the city and warned operators to use only designated parking lots to pick and drop passengers.

Earlier, Secretary, Command and Control Unit, FCTA Department of Security Services, Dr. Peter Olumuji reiterated the commitment of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh to securing lives and property in the FCT.

Dr Olumuji said the FCTA has zero tolerance for illegal parks and activities of unpainted taxis that are not duely registered in Abuja, pointing out that their operations pose security threat to residents.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji