- The construction of the bus terminals began in July 2023 and was initially projected to take 15 months
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced that unapproved taxi and bus parks will no longer be permitted in Abuja’s city centre starting in 2025. This move is part of an effort to modernize the city’s transportation system and follows the ongoing construction of organized bus terminals to serve as alternatives for commuters.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed the plan during an inspection of two major bus terminals currently under construction in Nyanya and Mabushi. He expressed satisfaction with the pace of the projects, which are expected to streamline the city’s transportation system once completed.
Wike stated that the initiative to eliminate illegal parks had been delayed until a viable alternative could be offered to the public. “We cannot take action against illegal parks without providing commuters with an organised and convenient alternative,” the minister noted.
The construction of the bus terminals began in July 2023 and was initially projected to take 15 months, with a deadline set for October 2025. However, contractors have assured the minister that the projects will be ready for commissioning as early as January 2025.
“I am so excited. This site was flagged off on July 1, and within three months, you can see what they have been able to do. The time given to them is 15 months to complete the project, but with the speed the contractor is going, we believe it will be before that 15 months,” Wike remarked during the inspection.
He further emphasized that once the terminals are operational, all buses and taxis will be required to use the designated terminals, and unregulated bus and taxi services on the roads will no longer be permitted.
“By the time we finish these terminals, you won’t need to have those ones. We won’t allow buses and taxis to pick on the roads. Everybody has to move to the various terminals,” he added.
The terminals in Mabushi and Kugbo are part of a broader initiative aimed at improving transportation infrastructure in Abuja and offering residents a more efficient and organised commuting system.
This policy shift is expected to address the challenges posed by unregulated transport services, reduce congestion, and enhance safety for commuters in the city.