By Ben Adoga, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA has taken steps to secure the FCT light rail facility ahead of the resumption of operations.
The Administration has already engaged two security organisations, Al-Ahly Security Guards Ltd and Segad Guards and Protection Ltd for the job.
The new responsibilities of protecting the rail facilities were passed to the two security companies from the CCECC, the company that built and have been protecting the equipment and components of the project.
Performing the handing over ceremony, the Mandate Secretary, of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Abdullahi Adamu Candido said the occasion had become necessary as the Administration is gearing towards the take-off of the Abuja metro rail, a decision which can only be achieved if the tracks are in good condition.
While charging the newly contracted security outfits to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring they protect the equipment from vandals, Candido warned that the Administration will no longer tolerate hooligans ransacking the tracks and vandalisation that took place in the past.
He added that the administration had concluded plans to commence the maintenance of the vandalised equipment in no-distance time in order to bring the services of the rail to life, hence the need for water-tight security along the rail tracks, starting from the metro station.
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“In the recent past, hooligans and some bad elements ransacked the tracks and vandalised very critical equipment of the rail tracks. This will never be tolerated any longer and as the administration is gearing towards the take-off of the Abuja Metro, this can only be achieved if our tracks are safe.
“So in view of the fact that the maintenance will soon commence, it is only clear that this equipment that is being spread from the metro station and all through the tracks needs to be protected and secured.
“While work is in progress to ensure the commencement of this metro into the city to ease traffic movement of the citizenry, it is expected that the new outfit (security) must seat up and be alive to their responsibility.
“This Administration appreciates the CCECC for providing security in the recent past. Your performance is appreciated and we’ll as well continue to call on you to do the best you can so that at least the dream and aspirations of this government come to pass.
“It is also important that to know that, should there be any error, the CCECC will not be held responsible instead you’d be responsible by the government for any action that’d lead to the vandalization of our equipment. We pray that God will continue to see you through.”
Speaking earlier, the Acting Director, of the Department of Transportation, Joseph Akinteye said according to the memorandum of understanding the Administration had with the CCECC, its services would terminate by the end of December 2022.
Akinteye noted that after the commissioning of the project in 2007, the contractor has been protecting the equipment and components of the project.
