By Stanley Onyekwere
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike has declared the Abuja light rail otherwise known as known as the Abuja Metro Line is ready for commercial operations, following the completion of its rehabilitation works.
This is coming seven days before the official inauguration of the project by President Bola Tinubu.
Wike, who spoke yesterday after carrying out a final inspection of the project, expressed satisfaction with the facilities on ground.
He also expressed delight for meeting up with the mandate given to him by President Bola Tinubu upon resumption of office, to ensure that the Abuja Light Rail is ready before his one year in office.
Wike noted that the Metro line which will be fully open to commuters yearning for alternative means of transportation from the Central Business District, through communities along the airport road to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
According to him, the operationalisation of the metro line was a testimony of the reality of Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“We are doing well because Mr President has given us every necessary support. Assuming we are not getting the support from him, this would not have been a reality today.
“We are happy with the project. It is just that we identify one or two things that were omitted during the design.
“But we believe that during the full operations of the train, some of the things will be taken into consideration.
“Particularly, I believe that as a standard metro line, where the passengers will be waiting before boarding the trains, there should be air conditioners.
“I also thought that some of the stations should have had an elevator for those who are very old and those who may not have the strength to walk or climb the staircase.
“Apart from that, I think we are happy with the work that has been done and we believe Nigerians will be happy, particularly the residents of FCT.”
He, however, identified facilities that were omitted during the design of the project, particular air conditioning in the passengers waiting room and elevator.
He added that the absence of the air conditioning and the elevator would not prevent the full operation of the metro line but make the passengers more comfortable.
“Thank God Almighty that we are good to go. We are ready and you can see the facilities have been installed.
“We are happy; very very happy, and we thank God the promise President Tinubu made has been kept”, he stated.
The minister also revealed that access roads have also been constructed to link communities to the train stations.
The lot 1A of the Metro Line has eight rail stations: Airport, Bassanjiwa , Idu, Wupa, Kukwaba II, Kukwaba I, Stadium and Abuja Metro respectively.
