Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike on Wednesday inspected the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) system rehabilitation project as the first official assignment.
Wike told reporters during a visit to the ARMT metro station in Abuja that the move was part of his determination to tackle challenges affecting public transport at FCT.
According to him, transportation is one of the sectors that he intends to transform in a short time to improve public transportation in the capital.
“Transportation is one of the sectors that we intend to intervene in the short term to reduce traffic congestion within the city.
“I know we have a metro station in Abuja and it doesn’t work; Because it does not work? Can we fix it in no time?” she asked.
He noted that while there were many other projects that were not completed, people would have confidence in the one that was completed and worked.
He stressed that it was not a good idea to start another railway project while the one that was already finished was useless.
He said that any project that is started must be finished before starting another one, considering the availability of resources.
“I have assured the public that the rail transportation system is a project that we will bring to a logical conclusion.
“Before we start another project, we will need to determine which areas are the busiest. This is very important to decongest areas with traffic congestion”, he affirmed.
He told the leadership of CCECC Nig. Ltd, the construction company that handles railway construction and rehabilitation projects to deliver quality projects.
After a train ride 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 that we will complete and put into operation.
“The money for the rehabilitation is on the ground and I have already ordered the Permanent Secretary of Administration of the FCT, Adesola Olusade, to make sure that the contractor is paid.
“We will work to ensure that in the coming months this project is brought to life and put into public use,” Wike said.
Earlier, FCT Minister of State Mariya Mahmoud said that assessing the problems affecting rail transport and finding ways to address them would help put the system in public service.
According to her, the transportation system is one of the palliatives that President Bola Tinubu wants to offer the population.
“We are at the ARMT metro station to see what is on the ground, what are the challenges and what is expected from the ministry to take the transport system to the next level.”
The permanent secretary had previously noted that Mr. Wike was known to many as “Mr. Project”, adding that it was not surprising that his first assignment out of the office was a visit to the project site.
Olusade explained that the ARMT system was challenged by massive vandalism of rail infrastructure during the COVID-19 lockdown, adding that private security companies have been brought in to salvage the situation.
He added that a major hurdle in the operation process has been cleared and added that Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company has been assigned to manage the operation.
“We are already developing a framework for the task and we hope that this project will significantly contribute to reducing the pains of removing the fuel subsidy,” he said.
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Likewise, the director of Transportation, FCTA, Joseph Akinteye, explained that the rehabilitation project of the ARMT system consists of Lots 1 A and 3 with an extension of 45,245 kilometers (km).
Akinteye explained that phase 1 of the ARMT system, which includes lots 1 and 3, made up of 77,775 km of the six lots designated by the Transportation Master Plan, was awarded in 2007.
However, he said that only lots 1 A and 3, made up of 45,245 kilometers, were completed in 2017 and put into service in 2018.
(YAYA)
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