Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, yesterday embarked on a tour of rail and road projects that are supposed to be completed before May 29th.
Briefing after the inspection, Wike assured that the May 29 promised delivery date was feasible.
Starting from the Idu rail station, Wike charged the contractors to speed up work while the contractor assured the Minister of completion ahead of the date line.
At Wupa station, Wike wondered why the car park was far and detached from the station. He wondered why the car park should be a kilometre away and expected commuters to trek that distance.
The contractors assured us that the job would be delivered before May 29.
Also in Bassan Jiwa rail station which is the closest to the Abuja airport Wike was pleased with the pace of work.
Speaking after the tour, Wike said, “It is part of our routine inspection of ongoing projects. Remember we were able to go to the Idu site where the contractors are leading us to see what they have been doing, despite the contracts having taken quite a long time.
“The delay is because we need to get permission from the Minster of Transportation so that we would be able to do some work and facilitate the speed.
“Most importantly, you would remember that we are working day and night to see that the promise we made to Mr. President and the residents of Abuja that by May Mr. President should be able to ride on the metro line, but that is not the key point, we want access roads to the various stations because if we do not create access roads for the communities who will be using these metro line in the various stations, then the aim is defeated.”
“I am very much happy that the contractors are serious. We heard what CCECC has just said that they are going to work day and night to see that this project is completed.
“So the important thing is that we want to fulfil the promises we have made to Mr. President and the residents of Abuja that God willing we will use the metro line.”
On the financial implication of the projects, Wike said the remaining 50 percent of the 3023 statutory budget was available and that if the need arises, the 2024 FCT Special budget would be available to make up and that funding the projects was not a problem.
On security, while the contractors work at night, Wike said Abuja is safe enough and that the issues in the media made it look as if Abuja was under attack, but that Abuja remained one of the safest parts of Nigeria.
He assured that the workers would be well protected while working.
