Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), expressed dissatisfaction over the Abuja light rail’s dysfunction on Wednesday and ordered the permanent secretary to finish paying the Chinese concession business so that the rails’ rehabilitation could be finished in eight months.
The Abuja light rail that was built at the metro station began operations in 2018 and ran for nearly two years before it was discontinued, mostly due to vandalism.
Wike gave the ultimatum during an inspection of the Abuja Metro Station in Idu and at the Airport Station on his first assignment outside the office, less than 48 hours after the swearing-in of the 45 new ministers.
He further asserted that the task of restoring the Abuja metro had become crucially fundamental as part of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians within the shortest possible time.
At the main terminal of the metro station, Wike, flanked by the Minister of State for FCT, Mairiga Mahmud, and other officials, addressed the contractors, questioning the quality of work.
Proceeding on the tour, the FCT minister took the train ride from the metro station, through the Idu Station and then to the Airport Station.
The rails, originally developed in six phases, were funded with loans from the China EXIM Bank. After the vandalisation of the vital rail infrastructure, the FCT Administration awarded a fresh N5 billion contract in August 2023 for its rehabilitation within 12 months.
The Abuja light rail commissioned at the metro station opened for business in 2018 and operated for about two years before the train service folded up, owing largely to vandalism.
Wike, who is the first southerner to become minister of the FCT, hopes to present a rehabilitated rail system to the President for commissioning by April 2024.
