The Directorate of Road Traffic Services has announced plans to introduce an electronic ticketing and central booking system for drivers in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Director of DRTS, Mr. Abdulateef Bello, shared this development during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday.
Bello explained that this new e-ticketing system aims to reduce direct interactions between DRTS officers and drivers.
According to him, this technology will make handling traffic violations smoother and less confrontational, benefiting both drivers and officers on the road.
“To achieve this, we have engaged several companies that specialize in electronic traffic management,” Bello said. “Some of these companies were first tested on a Proof of Concept basis. They installed devices at strategic spots in the FCT, demonstrating their ability to monitor infractions and issue penalties.”
He outlined the next steps, saying, “Following this, we’ll seek regulatory approval, submit it to the Abuja Investment Company for analysis, and then proceed to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission. If everything goes well, we expect parts of this system to be up and running by the first quarter of next year.”
Bello stressed that the electronic system would help enforce road safety in Abuja. “Soon, the conflicts between vehicle inspection officers and the public will be over,” he assured. “When a motorist commits a traffic offence, they will receive an e-ticket alert on their phone if their vehicle is registered in the FCT.”
Bello also noted that DRTS is currently appealing a court ruling that restricted its officers from impounding vehicles. “Our officers are still training on the e-ticketing scheme, while others on duty are managing traffic flow. We also use the Abuja Inspector App to check driver compliance,” he added.
Under the direction of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the DRTS aims to strengthen vehicle regulation in the capital. Bello advised all drivers to stay updated with their vehicle registration, driver’s licenses, and other necessary documentation.
“We are working to make our operations fit for the FCT’s status,” Bello said. “We are also planning to move towards a paperless motor vehicle system, which will be included in next year’s budget.”
