The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike on Wednesday, inspected the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) System as his first official assignment.
He told Journalists after the inspection of the Metro Station in Abuja Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, that the measure was part of his resolve to address challenges affecting public transportation in the FCT.
According to him, transportation is one of the sectors he intends to transform in a short time to improve public transportation in the capital city.
“Transportation is one of the sectors we intend to intervene in the short time to reduce traffic congestion within the city.
“I know that we have a metro station in Abuja, and it is not working, why is it not working? Can we fix it within the short time? He asked.
The Minister stressed that it was not a good idea to begin another rail project while the one that was finished was not working adding that every project must be finished before embarking on another one, considering the availability of resources.
“I assured the public that the rail transport system is a project we will take to logical conclusion.
“Before commencing another project, we will need to determine which areas are the most traffic areas. This is very important to decongest areas with traffic congestion.”
He told the management of CCECC Nig. Ltd, the construction company handling the rail construction and rehabilitation projects to deliver quality projects.
After a train ride to and from the Metro Station to the Airport and Idu Stations to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation project of the rail system, the minister described it as a “good project”.
He added that if completed, it would significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city.
“This is one of the projects we will complete and put to use.
“The money for the rehabilitation is on ground and I have already directed the Permanent Secretary, (FCT Administration, Mr Adesola Olusade) to make sure that the contractor is paid.
“We will work to ensure that in the next coming months, this project is commissioned and put to public use,” Wike said.
Earlier, the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that assessing the problems affecting the rail transport and finding ways to address them would help in putting the system to public use.
According to her, the transport system is one of the palliative measures that President Bola Tinubu wants to provide to the public.
“We are in the ARMT Metro Station to look at what is on ground, what the challenges are and what is expected of the ministry to move transportation system to the next level.”
The Permanent Secretary, Olusade explained that the ARMT system was challenged by massive vandalisation of rail infrastructure during COVID-19 lockdown, adding that private security companies have been engaged to salvage the situation.
He added that a measure huddle in the operation process has been address, adding that the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company has been assigned to manage the operation.
“We are already developing a framework for the assignment, and we look forward to this project contributing significantly to the reduction of the pains of the removal of fuel subsidy,” he said.
The Director of Transportation, FCTA, Mr Joseph Akinteye, explained that the ARMT system rehabilitation project consists of Lots 1 A and 3 spanning 45.245 kilometres (km).
He explained that the ARMT system phase 1, which comprises Lots 1 and 3, made up of 77.775 km, out of six Lots designated by the Transportation Master plan was awarded in 2007.
Akinteye however, said that only Lots 1 A and 3, made up of 45.245 km were completed in 2017 and commissioned in 2018.
Debunks Using N300 Million Bulletproof Car
Meanwhile, the Minister debunked a social media report that he acquired a N300 million armoured Lexus LX600, just a day after he was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu as Minister.
Speaking after a tour of the Abuja Light Rail, Wike challenged Journalists to inspect the vehicle and confirm whether it was the bulletproof variant or otherwise.
“We are now going to the office to have a direct report from each of the departments, but I have seen what is going on in the social media, how that you (FCTA Permanent Secretary) bought a bullet proof car of N300 million that I am using.
“So I want you people to go hit your hand there (on the car) and see whether it is a treated car. With all due respect, people should be careful not to destroy other people.
“When I came, the Permanent Secretary said they have a car for us, and the car we use is this. I have never approved for any car to be bought and I have not used official bullet-proof car. Whether I have cars as governor? Yes, as a governor, what do you expect I should have what? But, I am not using bullet proof car as FCT Minister, so we should report the right thing, and not to destroy ourselves. I want you to take a look at where you have the flag, and see whether it is a bullet-proof car.“
Several journalists at the event confirmed that the vehicle was not bulletproof.
It would be recalled that an armored Lexus LX 600 SUV fitted with FCT – 01 registration plate alleged to be owned by the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike surfaced online hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sworn in 45 new Ministers.
FCTA PRESS STATEMENT
STOP THE MISCHIEF, MISINFORMATION: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON FALSE PUBLICATIONS AND BROADCASTS ON PURPORTED ABUJA DEMOLITIONS AND THE USE OF A N300M BULLETPROOF CAR BY THE FCT MINISTER pic.twitter.com/bvPyHAoDJH
— Official FCTA (@OfficialFCTA) August 23, 2023
PIAK
