Mass transit services: Poor funding delaying Abuja’s Rail resumption – official

By Stanley Onyekwere

There are strong indications that paucity of funds to complete Abuja rail mass transit project might continue to defer the much anticipated resumption of its operations.

Recall that phase 1 of the Abuja Light Rail project, which was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018, is designed to convey passengers from its Metro station, located at Wuye District to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, operated few months, before its abrupt shutdown due to COVID-19 pandemic and vandalism.

Making the disclosure over the weekend, when the Senate Committee on FCT visited the project site, Deputy Managing Director of a Chinese Firm handling the project, Mr. Jack Liwo noted that apart from vandalism that has caused a huge set back to the project, unavailability of funds is another challenge. 

Liwo, who appealed to members of the  Committee to facilitate release of funds for the prompt completion of the project and resumption of the rail services, noted that some of the  stations, located at Abuja metro, Kukwaba 1, Kukwaba 11, Wupa, Idu, Bassanjiwa and the Airport have suffered serious vandalism.

Liwo revealee that some of the vandalized rail equipment need to be  imported and replaced for the project to be completed as expected. 

While assuring that the Chinese Government will remain committed to its part of the agreement in providing the needed support, he also affirmed that once funds are made available, the rail services could commence within few months. 

Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Committee who led other members and FCTA delegation to the site, Senate Smart Adeyemi decried the continued waste of public funds, by abandoning such people-oriented projects. 

Adeyemi also warned that accountability will be demanded from all relevant stakeholders managing the project.

He however, assured that the Senate would make frantic efforts to ensure that the rail services commence within the remaining few months of this present administration.

According to him, while Nigerians deserve a commensurate value for every public funds disbursed, he also warned that every act of sabotage on the project will be sanctioned by National Assembly.