By Ben Adoga, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday commissioned the Abuja Light Rail for commercial activities.
This came on the second day that some projects executed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, were commissioned in Abuja.
Tinubu graciously extended the two-month free train ride earlier announced by Wike to six months, with effect from June to December, 2024.
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With the development, Abuja residents and visitors can now ride from the base station through all the stations to the airport to and fro.
While delivering his speech, Tinubu said: “Today marks the milestone of our march towards enduring progress as a country, especially in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. As we gather here to commemorate the first anniversary of my administration, we are also celebrating the fruit of collaboration, dedication, progress, and foresightedness.”
He added, “It is my immense pride and gratitude that I stand before you to flag off the relaunch of commercial operations of the Abuja Mass Transit Rail programme, known commonly as Abuja Metro.
“The Abuja Metro was inherited by my administration from my predecessor. It was first commissioned in 2018 for public use, but this was not to be as COVID-19 struck, and the train service was abandoned, vandalised then, misused, and abused.
“When we came to office, in my desire to have a functional and flourishing federal capital, with efficient public infrastructure and transportation that will serve the people who live and work within the city and the surrounding communities, I made a request, a public request and a challenge to Nyesom Wike.
“Then, I did not know that he would be able to deliver this project on time. I said, ‘Don’t give me land, Mr Landlord, give me the assurance that I will be able to ride on the metro line.’ He laughed and nodded his head. I am very proud that today, he delivered on that promise.
“The commencement of this project is a dream come true for all of us. I am, however, not surprised, given the track record of the Minister. This accomplishment by the FCT Administration is a demonstration of serious commitment to value, the charge that we all should embrace in this country. Mr Project, I say thank you very much to you and your team.
“In keeping with the ideals of the Renewed Hope Agenda, you have with your team, demonstrated an unusual capacity to include people. Thank you very much once again.”
“Abuja Light Rail Metro stands as a symbol of progress, connectivity, and inclusivity. It signifies our determination to modernise our transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion in the city, and enhance accessibility to all residents, be it visitors within and outside Abuja.
“Today, what we have in the Federal Capital Territory is another piece of evidence that we are a government that delivers on promises. Our dear landlord and his team, I heard you saying two months free ride. I appeal to you to make it till the end of the year, free ride.”
Wike, who was described as the ‘Landlord’, disclosed that the President challenged him in 2023 during the annual NBA conference to complete the project.
He said the President told him, “Our host, I want to ride on the metro line.”
The Minister said the President was aware that the rail was not working, but wanted it fixed for the benefit of the public.
“That directive spurred us up. We discovered that the train stations had no access roads, we were determined to fix the things, and agreed that it is possible in nine months,” he said.
He said the project was awarded in 2018 at the cost of $13m and did not pay.
Wike said he had to run to the CBN, the Minister of Finance, and the Accountant General of the Federation who came to the rescue.
The Minister said the finishing cost of the project was N21.4bn, with car parks.
He also explained how he saved about $50m for the country through the training programme for Nigerians, adding that the cost was $128m which he renegotiated to $75m.
With this commissioning, the Abuja light rail is set for commercial operations, only that it will be free till the end of the year.
Checking the state of preparedness, ThisNigeria observed that the waiting hall had been fixed, the central cooling system was working, with water running in the toilets and other facilities.
The President in the company of Wike, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, among other top government officials, rode on the rail to the airport.
