Abuja’s biggest bus terminal remodelled to boost revenue

The popular Jabi Motor Park in Abuja is famous for its size and strategic location, but unfortunately, with its filthy environment, it turned into a haven for miscreants. But the filthy status and chaotic nature of the park have changed as it has been remodelled into a modern bus terminal now known as Utako Bus Terminal to boost revenue while serving as a transit camp for travellers.

Located in the Utako District of Abuja, the park is undergoing remodelling and is being upgraded to an ultra-modern bus terminal of a world-class standard in order to boost its viability in the property market.

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Being the biggest and most used motor park in the FCT, it became a haven for hoodlums and touts who turned the property into an eyesore.

However, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and M. N. Ataj Construction Limited has seen massive construction work going on at the park.

The Director of M. N. Ataj, Engr Rabiu Sa’id, in an interview, said the remodelling of the park would be in phases.

He explained that, “The bus terminal is an ultra-modern commercial vehicle station comprising a main terminal building, boarding bays (for luxury and minibuses and cars) and other commercial areas.

“Facilities within the terminal include retail shops, wholesale shops, warehouses, restaurants, vehicle spare parts shops, mechanic workshops, vulcanising shops, car wash, filling stations, clinics, banking halls, ATM gallery and hotels.”

He said the terminal boasted of an array of amenities such as sheltered walkways, ticketing booths, waiting areas, information centre, operations control centre and fully functional transport system for convenient travel planning.

Other facilities, he said, included a multi-level car park, fire service station, police station, accessible road network, drains, toilets and places of worship.

Sa’id further said, “The shops and warehouses are ideal for retail and wholesale businesses specialising in food and beverages, textile materials, beauty products, books, stationery, pharmaceutical products and vehicle spare parts.”

Daily Trust learnt that the project, which has been structured in four phases, has seen the first phase completed, with two blocks of shops already occupied by traders.

Meanwhile, phase two which comprises blocks of shops, a filling station and terminal building is still being constructed; while phase three, which has three blocks of shops and public conveniences, is at the foundation level.

Phase four, which will feature ticketing booths, loading bays and other infrastructure, will commence in the first quarter of 2023.

Meanwhile, M. N. Ataj is also developing the Gudu Shopping Mall and the Garki Office and Shopping Suites in partnership with the Abuja Markets Management Limited. (AMML).

The acting MD/CEO of AMML, Engr Abbas Yakubu, said the properties would confer on Abuja the status of a world-class city.

He said, “Abuja is close to 40 years, over time the city has grown, the volume of traders has increased, you see congestion, attachments and what have you. So there is the need to bring down old ones and give residents better markets.”