By Omeiza Ajayi

The Federal Government has said it will begin profiling taxi drivers in the nation’s capital, Abuja, as from January 2025.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike disclosed this on Thursday when he distributed 80 vehicles to youths in the territory to boost the city’s transportation system.

Wike who lamented that past administrations did not think of women and youth inclusion in governance, said President Bola Tinubu has thought it wise to create the Youth Secretariat within the FCT Administration as well as the Women Affairs Secretariat to empower both important segments of the population.

According to him, the vehicles are brand new and that they were given free as government was not demanding pay back on them.

He said; “These vehicles are brand new. They (beneficiaries) are not paying a kobo. This is government’s support for the youths to reduce cost of transportation in the city. We will fix the prices because we bought the vehicles.

“When fully operational, it will transform Abuja like other modern cities. Those areas where the vehicles will operate, bikes and Keke NAPEP will be phased out.

“Abuja should compete with other cities in the world. We are not banning Keke NAPEP in Abuja, but they will no more operate in the three districts of Guzape, Maitama and Asokoro. We made sure all Area Councils were involved in the bidding for the vehicles.”

He added that the drivers “have been profiled by security agents and by January, all taxi drivers in Abuja will be profiled for security reasons. Also, the bus terminals under construction in the FCT will be commissioned by January next year where all vehicles will operate from”.

“We are bringing in more vehicles. All commercial drivers will be profiled by security agencies. It is time for Keke NAPEP and bike operators to prepare for their exit in locations covered by the vehicles. We must have a modern city.”

The districts for the pilot scheme are Guzape, Maitama and Asokoro.