FCTA to prosecute owners of 149 impounded vehicles

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that the owners of 149 impounded vehicles, along with 100 tricycles and motorcycles within the FCT, will be summoned to appear before a mobile court due to various traffic violations.

Dr. Abdulateef Bello, the Director of FCTA’s Directorate of Road Traffic Services, also known as Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIO), made this announcement in Abuja on Friday after inspecting the impounded vehicles.

During his visit to some of the VIO Commands where the impounded vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles were stored, Bello stated that the owners would face significant penalties for their infractions. These violations include unauthorized parking, driving against traffic, operating unregistered and unpainted taxis, and establishing illegal motor parks.

Bello emphasized the importance of adhering to simple rules and regulations, emphasizing that it is more cost-effective to stay on the right side of the law. He noted that commercial motorists have been instructed to register and operate within specified routes and motor parks, rather than picking up passengers indiscriminately from road corridors.

Tricycle operators were also reminded to operate within predefined road plans and avoid entering the city. Their role primarily involves transporting passengers to estates and suburban areas of the city.

Bello mentioned that traffic regulations have been revised, and fines will be increased accordingly. Traffic offenders will face substantial penalties when they appear before the mobile court, serving as a deterrent.

Furthermore, the director explained that the Directorate of Road Traffic Services is collaborating with the Transport Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to review existing road traffic policies, with the aim of enhancing the management of road traffic effectively.