Public transportation: Resuscitate AUMTCO now- FCTA charges AICL

By Stanley Onyekwere 

In a bid to ensure efficient and effective mass transportation services in the FCT, the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) has received directive  to resuscitate the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO).

The Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee (FCT-EXCO) that handed down directive, also charged AICL to critically look into the affairs of AUMTCO and ensure that the buses get back on the roads, in order to meet the aims for which it was established.

In particular, the EXCO instructed the AICL Board to turn around the situation of the Transport Company by improving on its performance to enable it to play its statutory role of mass movement of commuters for the overall interest and benefits of the residents, especially the less privileged.

According to a statement, Director, FCTA’s Information & Communication, Muhammad Hazat Sule, the directive was one of the highpoints of the decisions taken at the 13th meeting of the FCT EXCO, presided over by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, in Abuja. 

It added that the EXCO noted that the FCT Administration should not continue to fund a Company which has been given the necessary support by the Administration and has wherewithal to take appropriate and profitable decisions for its sustenance.

“Accordingly, the EXCO enjoined the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), to henceforth, ensure that the roads network are designed in the Federal Capital City to include laybys, to cater for taxi and bus stops.

“The EXCO meeting, also directed the FCT Transportation Secretariat to immediately find ways of developing   the multistory car parks around the Federal Capital City as enshrined in the Abuja Master Plan, to reduce cases of traffic gridlocks often at peak hours. Muhammad Hazat Sule, Director, Information and Communication, FCT.

“AICL, which is an investment company established by the FCT Administration and saddled with the responsibility of managing assets, investments, and business interests  of the FCTA”, the statement added.