‘One Chance’ – Wike To Profile, Recertify Taxis

In a bid to tackle the menace of ‘One Chance’, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA is to commence recertification of all taxis and other ride services like Uber and Bolt.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike made this known in Abuja.

Wike who noted that crime could not completely be eliminated in any state or country, said what is important is to make sure that proactive steps are taken to track their operations to bring perpetrators to book.

Wike expressed optimism that certifying and profiling commercial taxis, Uber & Bolt with good tracking tools would sanitize the sector.

He added that Abuja is a city, where everyone must comply with the rules and regulations.

“This is a city. If we don’t have rules, it will be a problem.”

“In that way, you know the driver is approved and his vehicle is approved by the FCTA so that as a passenger you don’t take the risk of going to board a vehicle that you don’t even know.

“It tells you who the drivers are. We need to certify them. We need to profile then using the security agencies”.

“On one chance, remember there was a time it was an issue in this city. We were able to bring it down.What we are trying to do now which we did not do in December but which we think we can achieve by this February is that we are not going to allow vehicles without FCT colours, that is, not registered by the FCTA to operate commercially ” Wike said.

The minister who also expressed surprise that a world-class capital city like Abuja does not have a single loading terminal, said he hopes to establish at least three of such terminals.

“I am surprised to note that a city like this does not have a loading terminal that takes charge of that. You know the drivers and vehicles that you are boarding. But now everybody is just on the road”.

“What we are trying to do by the grace of God in this fiscal year is to start with three terminals so that we know the buses and taxis from such terminals. Nobody would take the risk of going to the road to wait for taxis. If you do that, we will be able to reduce crime” Wike assured.

By Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji