Why Abuja light rail operations were suspended – Minister

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has assured that the FCT Administration (FCTA) will work closely with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for the actualisation of the nation’s railway master plan.

Malam Bello gave the assurance when he received a delegation of the NRC led by its board Chairman, Engr Ibrahim Alhassan Musa, on a courtesy visit to the FCTA.

He said the Abuja light rail which was suspended at the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic would resume operations in the near future depending on how the pandemic plays out.

The minister said, “When the Nigerian Railway Corporation re-opened their systems, we couldn’t, and it was simply based on health concerns. The light rail system, the way it is configured…is meant to sit very few people and to have almost 75 per cent of the passengers in standing position. We realised that there was absolutely no way we could ensure social distancing in that situation.”