The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) project is 95 percent complete and will be ready for inauguration in May.
Wike, who stated this on Wednesday when the Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria, Daniel Bertrand, visited him in Abuja, explained that the feat was part of efforts to improve public transportation in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.
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The minister stressed that when they came on board, they found out that the Abuja Light Rail was not functional, and they felt that it would be a good thing for the people if they decongest the city by making it 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 percent complete. By the grace of God, we believe that in May, Mr. President will inaugurate it,” he said.
Wike added that discussion was already ongoing with private investors to change the mode of public transportation in the FCT.
He acknowledged that the deficit in public transportation was constituting a security challenge in the capital city, adding that most of the operators were not registered.
He 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.
The minister added that the government has concluded plans to build taxi and bus terminals where residents could patronise registered and identified operators.
He said the construction of the terminals would commence in the next month, with the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
The minister also said that discussion was ongoing with the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, and cattle herders on ways to stop open grazing in the nation’s capital city.
Earlier, the Ambassador said that the visit was to get to know the minister’s plans for mass public transportation, get an update on the Abuja Light Rail project, and learn about the official stand on open grazing in the city.
Bertrand 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 to partnerships in areas of mutual benefit.