By Stanley Onyekwere
There is a lot respite for thousands of Abuja residents, as a direct and immediate impact of the ongoing construction of three multi-billion Naira bus and taxi terminals by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, aimed at improving public transport system in the nation’s capital city.
It was observed that barely seven months after the construction work were flagged off, these strategic projects , has so far, created more than 3,000 jobs for residents with variety of skill sets.
Recall that Wike had in July 2024, inaugurated the construction of three bus and taxi terminals, one each in Mabushi, Central Area and Kugbo, all within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
This infrastructure drive, according to the minister, was not to transform the FCT public transport system, but to ensure a secure and convenient travel experience for commuters and open up access to job opportunities for its residents.
A visit to the construction sites of the three ongoing terminal projects, some of the workers , who were excited about the initiative, thanked Wike for putting food on their table through the job opportunities in the current infrastructure revolution in FCT.
As succinctly put, a 29-year-old welder, Mr. Happiness Johnson, who lives in Kubwa, one of the bus terminal projects has provided him with a stable job.
According to him, the steady means of income has significantly improved his standard of living.
He thanked Wike for mandating the contractor to employ residents, so as to enable them enjoy some respite from the prevailing harsh economic situation in the land.
Similarly, a 31-year-old mother of four, Mrs Abigail Daniel, who works as a cleaner at the Mabushi terminal project site, expressed optimism for a brighter future as a worker in the facility.
Mrs Daniel, who recalled that she was working as a house help, but lost the job when her employer made a trip abroad.
In her words: “Life was difficult for me and my children until I got this job. I am grateful to the FCT minister for making this happen for me.”
On his part, the Project Manager, Planet Projects, the company executing the projects, Mr. Rasheed Sholadoye, affirmed that the 3,000 workers comprised both skilled, unskilled artisans and security guards.
Sholadoye disclosed that part of the conditions in the contract was for the company to employ residents in the executing of the project as part of FCT Administration’s strategy for job creation.
According to him: “FCT residents have enjoyed enormously from this project. We have employed a whole lot of them.
“You know it’s a construction site and certain workers will be needed at certain stages of the construction.
“It’s difficult to give you an exact number but more than 3,000 residents have been engaged and more will be employed as the work progresses.”
He explained that while the construction of the bus terminals in Mabushi and Kugbo commenced in July 2024, that of Central Area commenced two months later.
He noted that the delay followed the relocation of some underground facilities at the project site located close to eagle square.
Nevertheless, the project manager expressed optimism that even with the delay, the projects were still on track and would be delivered as scheduled.
“Hopefully with our schedule and programme of work, by the grace of God, the terminals in Mabushi and Kubo will be ready for inauguration by the end of February.
“On the other hand, the one in Central Area will be ready in May.
“The projects are all encompassing with commercial activities in all the terminals, including cinema halls, where people can relax while waiting for their bus.
“We are bringing state of the art facilities, especially the one in Central Area. It will be a terminal that the people of Abuja will love to see and enjoy,” he said.
Furthermore, he revealed that Mabushi bus terminal has reached 92 per cent completion, the one in Kugbo was currently at 85 per cent completion while that of Central Area was about 50 per cent.
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