President Bola Tinubu will be happy to commission the Abuja Rail Mass Transit project in May.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said this on Friday after an inspection tour from the Metro Station in Central Area to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Minister disclosed the Rail Mass Transit (ART) project is 97 per cent completed.
The Minister described the development as a “dream comes true”.
He said the project would be ready for inauguration to celebrate President Tinubu’s one year in office.
Wike said President Tinubu had approved the schedule for the inauguration of projects in FCT.
The Minister said: “We are very happy. We are almost 97 per cent completed. All works are ongoing to make sure that the May delivery date is a reality.
“I believe this is one of the projects Mr President would like to inaugurate because it is very key to the development of the economy.
“For me, it is a dream come true, and we are happy that after all is said and done, the metro line will be put to use for Nigerians, come May 29″.
The Minister, who took a 30-minute ride from the Metro Station to the Airport, argued that it was more convenient to use the train than vehicles to go to the airport.
He added: “I am really impressed with the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
“The company has assured us that all the renovation works on the stations will be ready before the commissioning date”.
On whether the rail lines would be extended to areas experiencing high traffic, the minister said: “I am not committing anything now, because we are taking everything step by step.
“We have to, first of all, consider the financial implications.
“Linking areas like Nyanya are important, no doubt about it. We will talk to the contractor to see what we can do, but for now, there is no commitment”.
Wike also said the FCT Administration has concluded plans to build three terminals for the road transportation system for residents of the territory.
He explained that the development would significantly help in curtailing the menace of “one chance” criminals in Abuja.
Wike said the FCTA road transport system would be rolled out in May, adding that when inaugurated, people would no longer take the risk of entering vehicles they don’t know the operators.
He further sought the cooperation of Abuja residents to achieve the set goals.
