Mass transit: Abuja rail project due for inauguration in May – Wike

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, says the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) project will be ready for inauguration in May, as it is almost 95 per cent completed.

This feat, the minister said was part of efforts to improve public transportation in Abuja, the federal capital city.

Wike dropped this hint when the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt visited him in his office, yesterday in Abuja.

He said: “When we came on board, we found out that the Abuja Light Rail was not functional and we felt that it will be a good thing for the people, if we decongest the city by putting it to function.

“So, President Bola Tinubu directed that whatever can be done, should be done, so that in his one year in office, the light rail will come on board for the use of the residents.

“The people can use it going out of the city, going to the airport and other area councils, and instead of going with their vehicles they can take the train.

“I can announce to you that we are almost there. The company handling the project, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), is almost 95 per cent completed.

“By the grace of God, we believe that in May, Mr President will inaugurate it.”

Futhermore, the minister added that discussion was ongoing with private investors to change the mode of public transportation in the FCT.

He noted that the deficit in public transportation was constituting a security challenge in the city, adding that most of the operators were not registered.

He also expressed concern that most residents do not know the vehicle they are boarding, adding that efforts were ongoing to ensure all public transport operators were registered.

According to him, the government has concluded plans to build taxi and bus terminals where residents could patronise registered and identified operators.

He also disclosed that the construction of the terminals would commence in the next one month, with the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

However, the minister revealed that discussion was ongoing with the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General, Department of State Services, and cattle herders on ways to stop open grazing in the city,  explaining that the discussion was to get the herders to understand why they should not rear cattle within the city.

“I can tell you that it is not what we want, but believing that the matter will be resolved, and alternative will be provided for the herders to rear their cattle,” he said.

Equally, Wike also sought partnership with the Belgian government on security and agriculture.

Earlier in his remarks, the Belgian Ambassador said the visit was to get to know the minister’s plans in mass public transportation, update on the Abuja Light Rail project and the stand on open grazing in the city.

Leenknegt expressed satisfaction with developments in the FCT, particularly the green vegetation and trees as well as less traffic.

He said that the Belgian government was open for partnership on areas of mutual benefits.