Authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has assured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and residents of the nation’s capital city, Abuja, that the Abuja light rail system will commence operations sooner than expected.
The Mandate Secretary, FCTA Transport Secretariat, Mr Ubokutom Nyah, disclosed this to Journalist during the ride and inspection of Abuja Metro light rail to ascertain the pace of work done on the vandalized rail tracks and other facilities of the Abuja metro light rail, on Thursday.
It would be recalled that, the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesome Wike, while inaugurating FCTA Mandate Secretaries on September 12, identified public transportation as a major challenge that must be addressed comprehensively in Abuja and therefore, charged the Transport Secretary to fast track work on the vandalized Abuja light rail system, since the President wants to ride in it.
Nyah said: “The residents of the FCT are in for a big surprise and a good time from the honourable minister of the federal capital Territory. The completion of the Abuja Light Rail might come sooner than it was expected because what we have seen today is a great job.
“We have gone through over 60% of the rail road, took a ride on it, and i can convincingly state that the vandalised parts of the railroads have been duly completed. The cleaning is going on, and i am told that the communication cables are already on the port and will soon come in.
“Against the projection of 9months or so in the contract, i think the masses will ride on the train much earlier than it was expected and we are happy that in less than 2 months restoration of vandalized facilities have been swept off.
“I also needed to take a ride on the train to make sure that, in fact, what I’m being told is right. Together with my directors and other stakeholders, we have had first-hand confirmation, I am indeed impressed with the world-class facilities and am happy to be a Nigerian that these facilities are being installed during our time.
“We believe that in much lesser time than projected contract period, the president will certainly ride the Abuja Light Rail. The concept and vision of renewed hope is a catalyst to every work that is being done in this country, and this has also affected the program of the execution of the restoration of the railways.”
Nyah also spoke on the security measures taken to prevent any kidnap of passengers on the Abuja light rail, stated thus:
“Last week when we visited the vandalised parts of the blockage, we stated that the key vision of the FCT administration is hinged on 3 parts which are security, affordability and flexibility and this was to outline that on every part of our operation, security is very important and it could not be less on the railway, knowing what has happened in the past.”
Shakirat Sadiq
