Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike recently announced new regulations that will have a significant impact on the transport sector in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city. The new rules will require the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to profile all commercial buses and taxis operating in the city.
The move comes as part of a drive to strengthen security and curb kidnapping and robbery incidents in the area. Wike highlighted the importance of the measures while addressing the FCT’s Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja. He said that from January next year, no taxi or bus driver will be able to operate without prior approval from security authorities, including security profiling and the presence of the recognizable Abuja colour.
Furthermore, it was mentioned that unlicensed and unregistered vehicles will be banned from plying the capital, and all drivers will be required to have their personal details, including vehicle number and name, registered in security databases. This initiative is aimed at boosting passenger confidence so that they can easily identify the vehicle they are riding in should any problem arise.
As part of the youth empowerment drive, Wike handed over new cars to beneficiaries at the event, giving them an opportunity to join the transport sector free of charge. He encouraged the beneficiaries by stressing that the government is thus supporting the reduction of transport costs in the city while providing economic opportunities for the youth.
The new regulation is already generating mixed reactions from the public and the transport sector in Abuja. Some see it as a necessary measure to ensure public safety, while others are expressing concerns about the impact it could have on informal sector workers. It is clear that this decision will have significant consequences and will require effective implementation to achieve its objectives of safety and regulation of public transport in the Nigerian capital.