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• FCT commercial vehicle operators cry out over incessant raids
From Idu Jude, Abuja
Amos Inyang hails from Cross River State. He came to Abuja after completing the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
His efforts to secure a befitting job in a government establishment proved abortive. He settled for commercial cab operations for sustenance.
To him, the struggle is the solution to unemployment. It is also a partway to survival against reliance on government. This is a common path commercial vehicle operators in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have chosen to make ends meet.
But recent raids by the authorities and confiscation of their vehicles, about 280, sent shock waves into their midst. The group sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) to President Bola Tinubu through the Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, to come to their rescue.
This year alone, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) impounded over 280 vehicles, including cars, tricycles and motorcycles, as authorities ramp up clampdown on criminals and illegal transport operators in the FCT.
The citywide raids, led by the Operation Sweep Abuja Clean Task Force, are part of intensified efforts to rid the nation’s capital of crime, unregistered vehicles and ensuring commuters’ safety. Mr. Sunday John emphasised the need for self-reliance.
He claimed that commercial cab operators are registered members of various motoring unions: “I can tell you that the Director of Traffic Operations in the FCT Transport Secretariat is conversant with the unions’ operations where we all belong and pay our dues through our union’s leadership.
“The recent raid of the operators in the night may have broken the camel’s back because no one saw it coming. What we are hearing is that the administration, through its security department, claimed those vehicles impounded were being used for night-time criminal activities.
“But that is a blatant lie because those who do night commercial activities also do the services to residents of the FCT. We have service to render to the people, which even the administration has not taken care of yet.”
Sylvester Olukayode said: “From what is happening now, does it look as if these are the people we voted in? They only remember the motoring unions whenever elections are around the corner. During that time, they approach our leaders to cajole all of us to cast our bulk votes to anyone seeking power.
“These motoring unions have one of the highest populations. Whenever we choose to vote, we mobilise across the federation. Our strengths cut across the 36 states and the FCT.”
Oladele Lamidi, a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife, said: “Each year, I budget over N2 million to grease the palms of those who promise me a job in federal agencies. And each time, nothing comes out of it. So I decided to use my leftover savings to purchase a car for commercial use.
“Through this, after two years, I got married, while doing my postgraduate study. My two kids are about to write their Senior Secondary School Certification examination to enter university, but here we are. Right now, I am getting frustrated because I cannot find any other job that can earn me the exact amount I make in a week.
“Take, for instance, I make about N100,000 daily as an Uber operator. In a week some of us make savings of N600,000 after other expenses. I don’t think any civil servant can achieve that within a week.”
Mohammed Wali: “The FCT administration has become insensitive to our plight. I am a cab driver, aka drop. That source of income has come to an end because I have to bear the cost of returning the cab to the owner and look for another source of livelihood.
“Perhaps, they have forgotten that they had called for self-sustainability several times. And now that we are venturing into it, the same government clamps down on us, irrespective of our union registrations and respect for the extant environmental laws. So what else can we do?”
Director, Security Services Department, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, said security and traffic agencies had in the past combed black spots in Abuja, impounding vehicles with covered plates, arresting beggars, scavengers and removing illegal commercial operators from the roads. He spoke through Peter Olumuji: “For the traffic offences, we have over 40 vehicles impounded. For commercial motorcycles aiding criminal elements through robbery, we impounded over 200. And the tricycle, called Keke Napep, we have over 40 impounded by the traffic agencies.”
He explained that the task force was acting on the directive of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who had warned against allowing the capital to slide into chaos due to unchecked “vehicles not registered to ply the FCT road were impounded.
So also those with cover plate numbers. All these things are to checkmate crime rates within the FCT, which the residents of the FCT have been clamouring for.
“Beggars and destitute arrested during the sweep are being profiled at the Bwari Rehabilitation Centre, after which some are enrolled in vocational training, while others are repatriated to their states of origin.
“For those involved in scavenging, we also noticed that some of them are into criminal activities. Nigeria police do the investigation. They profile them and investigate them thoroughly.”
He dismissed reports suggesting a spike in “one-chance” robberies: “Recent cases are under police investigation. The task force is actively targeting suspicious vehicles and drivers.
“Like-minded of this operation, Operation Sweep, also has something to do with curbing this menace of ‘one-chance’. That is why you see vehicles without proper documentation are being impounded and further investigated by the traffic agencies.
“Surprise raids were carried out in Life Camp, Asokoro, Wuse, Area 1, and other locations, making the city increasingly hostile for criminals.”
