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Says newly adopted national anthem all about service
N21.4b spent on roads, car parks in train stations – Wike
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye and Fred Itua, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday relaunched the commencement of commercial operations of Abuja Rail Mass Transit System Rehabilitation under the Nyesome Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration.
This is even as he announced the extention of free train ride from two months announced by the Minister to seven months (end of the year) for residents of Abuja.
The project was flagged-off by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007 as part of the move to host the 2014 Commonwealth games.
According to him, “That will give the people hope and reason to celebrate.”
The President said the completion of project was in the fulfillment of Wike’s promise to deliver the project on time.
The minister had last week while giving sectorial report at the ministerial sectorial briefing, declared that the Abuja Light Rail will operate free for two months, after its commissioning.
He had stated that residents will begin use of the Metro rails from Tuesday, the 28th of May, adding that the goal was to aid the ease of commuting for residents and that the President may extend the free train rides up.
President Tinubu said: “The re-commencement of this project is a dream come through for this administration.
“It is a demonstration of serious commitment to value that we all should embrace in this country.
“Mr. Project thank you very much to you and your team. The idea is from the Renewed Hope Agenda. You have with your team demonstrated unusual capacity to really include people.
“The huge investment that you have saved, that you have put in this project is there for people to remember.
“Transportation gives hope and access to various individuals and organizations. But here we are, at the last review the access roads to the various stations to the routes was not done but today we are proudly saying you are truly serving the nation.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu explained why the old Nigerian national anthem was re-adopted as its recitation officially took off on Wednesday.
He said the anthem was all about service delivery to the nation as captured in the anthem.
“And that part is the critical elements of our new national anthem…it is all about service, you are proud to serve your motherland.”
He added that the “Abuja light rail metro stand as a symbol of progress, connectivity, inclusivity and it signifies our determination to modernise our transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion in FCT and enhance accessibility to whole residents, visitors within and outside Abuja.
“Our dear landlord and his team, I heard you saying two month free ride, I appeal to you to make it till end of the year free ride.
“That will give the people hope and reason to celebrate.”
“Today, what we have in the FCT is another piece of evidence that we are a govt that deliver on promises.
“I observe keenly other milestone that this administration has achieved especially in social services and other public utilities.”
Wike, in his opening remarks, recalled that he got the matching order from President Tinubu to deliver the project, in August 2023 at Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) conference.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic affected the operations of the train, couple with the vandalizing of the components.
Wike revealed that the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari awarded the Abuja Rail Mass Transit to CCECC at the cost of $30million. He also made known that the previous administration awarded the contract for the training of manpower for 29 months at $128 million but his administration was able to reduce the amount to $75 million after engaging with the contractors.
He added that Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under his watch was able to construct access roads and car parks in 12 train stations at the rate N21.4 billion.
“As I speak to you today, all those roads have been completed for people to use to the various train stations. We constructed access roads to all the 12 train stations, including car parks at N21.4 billion.
“What we are doing today is the inauguration of the commercial operation, so, I sat with the company, and I said: ‘It is like you want to sabotage the business of this metro line.
“So, I sat with the company, and I said: ‘It is like you want to sabotage the business of this metro line.
“I said it was not possible, and they brought the amount down to $75 million, saving the federal government $53 million.”
Mandate Secretary, Transportation Federal Capital Territory Administration, Chinedum Elechi, had earlier said, the rail links 13 communities with 12 stations including the Abuja Metro, Stadium, Kukwaba 1 and 2, Wupa, Idu, Bassanjiwa, Airport, Gwagwa Dei-Dei, Kagini and Gbazango.
He said: “The ARMT system has Nos. 12 Diesel Multiple Units each with a capacity to accommodate a minimum of 700 passengers. Each train is designed to run a minimum of 14 trips per day. Meaning that one train can transport approximately 9,800 passengers per day.
“The two Lots, i.e Lot 1A from Idu Station to Gbazango and Lot 3, from Metro Station to Airport will operate two trains each simultaneously every day, which brings a total daily passenger count to 39,200 commuters. In 25 operational days in a month, it will be approximately 980,000 commuters.
“To effectively commence the commercial operations of the ARMT, the Honourable Minister FCT has constructed access roads and car parks in the 12 stations of the ARMT. Little wonder the Honourable Minister FCT is called “Mr. Project”.
“We say without any fear of contradiction that, beyond any shadow of doubt, the Honourable Minister FCT has shown both capacity for the job and loyalty to Mr. President.”
After cutting the tape, the president and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, President of the Senate, Godswil Akpabio, Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, Chief Justice of the Federation, Kayode Ariwoola, lawmakers, ministers, other government functionaries, members of the diplomatic corps, took a ride on it along with other dignitaries.
