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The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to begin profiling taxi drivers in the nation’s capital, Abuja, starting January 2025. This initiative was disclosed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during the distribution of 80 vehicles to youths in the territory aimed at enhancing the city’s transportation system.
Key Points
- Youth Empowerment: Wike emphasized the need for inclusion of women and youth in governance, highlighting that past administrations had overlooked these vital segments of the population. President Bola Tinubu’s administration has established a Youth Secretariat and a Women Affairs Secretariat within the FCT Administration to empower these groups.
- Vehicle Distribution: The 80 vehicles distributed are brand new and provided free of charge to the beneficiaries. Wike stated, “They are not paying a kobo. This is government’s support for the youths to reduce the cost of transportation in the city.”
- Transportation System Overhaul: The minister mentioned that the introduction of these vehicles aims to transform Abuja’s transportation landscape, stating, “When fully operational, it will transform Abuja like other modern cities.” The initiative includes plans to phase out motorbikes and Keke NAPEP (tricycle taxis) in specific areas—Guzape, Maitama, and Asokoro.
- Taxi Driver Profiling: For security reasons, Wike indicated that all taxi drivers in Abuja will undergo profiling by security agencies. He stressed the importance of this measure in maintaining safety and order in the transportation system.
- Future Developments: Wike also announced the upcoming commissioning of new bus terminals in the FCT, expected to take place in January next year, where all vehicles will operate from. This is part of the broader initiative to modernize the city’s transport infrastructure.
- Phased Approach: The profiling of taxi drivers will be part of a comprehensive approach to enhance security and ensure that commercial drivers are vetted properly as the government works towards a more modern and efficient transportation system in Abuja.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving transportation services in the capital while addressing security concerns associated with commercial driving.
