…AS HE INSPECTS CRITICAL PROJECTS AHEAD OF COMMISSIONING
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has said that, when completed, the bus terminal projects embarked upon by the FCT Administration will play a major role in transforming the city’s transport system.
Barr Wike who stated this while addressing newsmen after inspecting some key ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, expressed satisfaction with the progress made, particularly at the Mabushi and Kugbo bus terminals. Other projects inspected include the road leading to the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal complex under construction in Dakibiyu, Jabi District and the access road to Kez Udezue Street off Banex-Kado Road in Mabushi.
He said: “Of course, you will agree with me that the bus terminal is the basic thing for us to change our transport system, and I commend the contractor for a job well done. I’m quite impressed with what we have seen, and we have assured the residents of Abuja that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are going to give them first-class infrastructure, which they deserve. We believe that we will try as much as we can to keep to the dates we have agreed”.
Barrister Wike further highlighted the impact of the bus terminals on traffic and security, especially in the city centre, stating, “What it means is that you don’t need to stay on the road. You will go to the bus terminals, and then we will know the drivers and the vehicles you have boarded. That, of course, will limit this car robbery, popularly known as ‘one chance.’ That is the essence of building these bus terminals to clean up the city, so that you don’t have every part of the city becoming motor parks”.
The FCT Minister also acknowledged improvements at the Mabushi bus terminal following his previous concerns about the finishing and commended the contractor for their responsiveness. He said, “There is an improvement, and I commend the contractor. When we went there the last time, I shouted at them that I’m not happy with the finishing. From what I have seen now, there is a lot of improvements”.
Speaking on the date for the commissioning of projects to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year in office, the Minister said that the President will determine the dates based on his convenience. Barrister Wike clarified that while the projects were slated for inauguration during the anniversary period, they will not necessarily be commissioned on May 29.
According to the Minister, “The President can give us a date as part of the anniversary. It does not mean that everything must be done on May 29. We have specific dates, pending the approval and convenience of Mr. President. You can’t commission the whole projects on May 29. I have said that it will take us two weeks to commission the completed projects”.
Barr Wike attributed the successful funding of projects in the FCT to prudent resource management and the support of the President, adding that the FCT Administration will only award contracts based on the availability of resources.
“We don’t just go and award contracts for the sake of awarding contracts. We award contracts based on the resources we have, and with the little taxes we are collecting. And with the support that Mr. President has given, we are able to prioritize our expenditure”, the Minister said.
RABI MUSA UMAR
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)
13/05/2025
FCTA/ODP/PR/684
