Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has announced that the Abuja Light Rail is prepared for commercial operations.
Wike revealed this information following his inspection of the project in Abuja on Monday, mentioning that more than N10 billion, equivalent to 15 million dollars, was spent on rehabilitation.
He guaranteed FCT residents that the light rail, also called the Abuja Metro Line, would be opened for commercial use on May 27 by President Bola Tinubu.
Expressing his satisfaction, Wike acknowledged the completion of the project and appreciated President Tinubu for keeping his promise.
He mentioned Tinubu’s commitment to delivering the metro line within his first year in office and emphasized his dedication to fulfilling this promise.
The operational launch of the metro line was described as a demonstration of Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda by the minister.
Wike attributed the success of the project to the substantial support received from President Tinubu, highlighting the pivotal role played by him.
While acknowledging the completion of the project, Wike identified some facilities that were overlooked during the design phase, such as air conditioning in the passenger waiting area and elevators.
He mentioned that despite these shortcomings, the absence of air conditioning and elevators would not hinder the full operation of the metro line, but they would enhance passenger comfort.
The minister also highlighted the construction of access roads connecting communities to the train stations, indicating their importance in facilitating the use of the metro line by residents.
The original purpose of the project was to address transportation challenges, including heavy traffic and congestion in the FCT and its surrounding areas.
From: Amadi Vincent Uzoma
