The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will construct additional bus and taxi terminals across Abuja as part of efforts to eliminate illegal motor parks, improve passenger safety and modernise the capital’s transport system.
Chinedum Elechi, mandate secretary of the FCTA transportation secretariat, spoke on Thursday while briefing journalists on the operationalisation of the Mabushi and central business district bus and taxi terminals.
Elechi said the administration remains committed to transforming Abuja into a world-class city through investments in modern transport infrastructure, adding that more terminals have been captured in future budgetary plans.
He said the new terminals would replace informal loading points such as Berger and Area 1 roundabouts, which have long served as pickup locations for passengers.
According to him, centralising transport operations will improve security, orderliness and operational efficiency.
“We are building these in strategic locations. The terminals in Kugbo and Mabushi are designed primarily for intercity travel.
“Whether a passenger is travelling to Aba, Lokoja, Owerri or Sokoto, they need a safe, secure and comfortable environment to board.
“You cannot guarantee what happens when you board a bus at an ad hoc loading point, which has contributed to the ‘one chance’ security challenges,” he said.
Elechi explained that the first phase of the project focused on the Mabushi, Kugbo and Central Business District terminals, with the CBD terminal designed mainly for intracity transport.
He added that the administration, under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), plans to build additional terminals across the city.
The mandate secretary said Abuja’s transport reforms were in line with global best practices, citing Lagos’ transformation of Oshodi from a chaotic transit point into a modern transport hub.
“If Lagos could transform the madness of Oshodi into modern transport hubs, why shouldn’t the FCT be tidied up?” he said.
Elechi said the terminals would serve as primary transport hubs connected to passengers’ final destinations through structured last-mile services involving buses, taxis and e-hailing platforms.
“We cannot put a bus terminal in everybody’s backyard, just as we cannot put an airport everywhere.
“The terminals serve as primary hubs. When passengers return from a 12-hour journey from Aba or elsewhere, the last-mile network will safely convey them from the hub to their final destinations,” he said.
He urged commuters and transport operators to embrace the new facilities, saying the initiative is aimed at improving public safety, maintaining a cleaner city and delivering a more efficient and reliable transport system across the FCT.
