The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed FCTA Permanent Secretary, Adesola Olusade, to release funds for the rehabilitation of vandalized Abuja Light Rail facilities.
The minister, who gave the directive yesterday after inspecting the rail project in Abuja, also directed the company handling the project, CCECC Nig. Ltd, to make sure the project is completed within the shortest possible time.
The minister, who frowned at the activities of the vandals, however, said they were able to access the facilities because there were no perimeter fences.
He said the visit was part of his resolve to address challenges affecting public transportation in the FCT.
“Transportation is one of the sectors we intend to intervene in the short time to reduce traffic congestion within the city.
“I know that we have a metro station in Abuja, and it is not working, why is it not working? Can we fix it within the short time? He asked.
He noted that while there were other lots of the project that were not completed, people would have confidence on the one that was completed and working.
He stressed that it was not a good idea to begin another rail project while the one that was finished was not working.
He told the management of CCECC Nig. Ltd, the construction company handling the rail construction and rehabilitation projects to deliver quality project.
“The money for the rehabilitation is on ground and I have already directed the Permanent Secretary, (FCT Administration, Mr Adesola Olusade) to make sure that the contractor is paid.
“We will work to ensure that in the next coming months, this project is commissioned and put to public use,” Wike said.
Earlier, the Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that assessing the problems affecting the rail transport and finding ways to address them would help in putting the system to public use.
The permanent secretary explained that the ARMT system was challenged by massive vandalisation of rail infrastructure during COVID-19 lockdown, adding that private security companies have been engaged to salvage the situation.
Our correspondent, who rode alongside the minister in one of the coaches, from the Metro station via Idu to Airport station, reports, that the vandlised track had been fixed while efforts were on to replace some of the facilities carted away at the stations.
