By Abubakar Yunusa
The Assistant Chief Engineer of the Department of Engineering Services, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abubakar Suleiman Liman, said it would be an exaggeration to claim that infrastructure development in the Abuja central business district is up to 50 percent complete, as there are major roads that have not yet been constructed.
Liman made this statement while delivering his presentation on the “Overview of the Development of the Abuja Central Business District” at the monthly meeting of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Abuja chapter.
He noted that the entire central area was originally planned to be completed by 1986, but it remains unfinished to this day.
In his words: “It would be an exaggeration to say that infrastructure development in the central area is up to 50 percent complete. There are major aspects of the roads that have not been done.”
“The central area is not congested; it’s just that the available infrastructure is being outstretched because it does not match the property and structures development presently on the ground.”
Speaking on the congestion in the central area, he explained that Abuja projects are blocked projects. There are numerous roads that remain unconstructed, and there are supposed to be various modes of transportation, especially transit, railway, and vehicular transportation. The level of infrastructure development is lagging behind.
“Properties are being developed at a rate that far outpaces infrastructure, which is why you see so much movement around the central area, making it appear congested.”
“By the time the whole road network of the Abuja central area is developed and other means of transportation, such as transitways and transportation centers, are in place, believe me, Abuja will not actually be congested.”
While welcoming new members to the association, the Chairman of the NSE Abuja branch, Engr Ben Osy Okoh, urged members to create good networks among themselves.
He said: “I can’t spend my money to take a flight without networking. Anybody sitting next to you, ask their name to know who the person is. You never know who might change your life.”
