The Federal Capital Territory Administration is presently working out modalities that will stop the indiscriminate movements or roaming of cattle on the streets of Abuja.
Accordingly, the era of cattle competing for traffic with human beings in the Federal Capital City is numbered.
This is as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reassured residents that efforts were on to end the indiscriminate movement of cattle within the city centre.
He gave the assurance when the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Daniel Bertrand, visited him yesterday.
Wike disclosed that he had initiated multifaceted discussions with critical stakeholders on the need to end the roaming of cattle in the city.
He also noted that fighting insecurity in the nation’s capital demands multifaceted approaches which the FCT Administration was already adopting to defeat criminalities.
According to him, his Administration has also intensified partnership drives with players from the private sector, to beef up security in the FCT.
Earlier, Ambassador Daniel Bertrand, who had raised concerns over the roaming of cattle on the streets of Abuja, expressed satisfaction, learning that the Minister had initiated a fight against the menace.
Bertrand also expressed interest in getting investors from his country to partner with the FCTA in the development of the nation’s capital.
*Rail mass transit 95% complete, ready in May
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Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT has said the Abuja Rail Mass Transit project is 95 per cent completed and will be ready for inauguration in May.
Wike stated this when the Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria, Daniel Bertrand, visited him in Abuja yesterday.
He explained that the feat was part of efforts to improve public transportation in the federal capital, Abuja.
“When we came on board, we found out that the Abuja Light Rail was not functional and we felt that it would be a good thing for the people if we decongest the city by putting it to function.
“So, President Bola Tinubu directed that whatever can be done, should be done, so that in his one year in office, the light rail will come on board for the use of the residents.
“The people can use it going out of the city, going to the airport and other area councils, and instead of going with their vehicles, they can take the train.
“I can announce to you that we are almost there. The company handling the project, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), is almost 95 per cent completed. By the grace of God, we believe that in May, Mr. President will inaugurate it,” the Minister said.
Wike added that a discussion was ongoing with private investors to change the mode of public transportation in the FCT.
He acknowledged that the deficit in public transportation was constituting a security challenge in the city, adding that most of the operators were not registered.
The Minister added that the government has concluded plans to build taxi and bus terminals where residents could patronise registered and identified operators.
He added that the construction of the terminals would commence in the next month, with the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement.
The Minister also said that discussion was ongoing with the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General, Department of State Services, and cattle herders on ways to stop open grazing in the city.
He explained that the discussion was to get the herders to understand why they should not rear cattle within the city.
“I can tell you that it is not what we want, but believing that the matter will be resolved, and alternative will be provided for the herders to rear their cattle,” he said.
Wike also sought partnership with the Belgian government on security and agriculture.
Earlier, the Ambassador said that the visit was to get to know the minister’s plans for mass public transportation, update on the Abuja Light Rail project, and the stand on open grazing in the city.
Bertrand expressed satisfaction with developments in the FCT, particularly the green vegetation and trees as well as less traffic.
He said that the Belgian government was open to partnership in areas of mutual benefit.
