In a significant move to boost public transportation and ease commuting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that train rides on the Abuja Metro Line will be free until the end of 2024. This announcement was made during the re-launch of commercial operations on the Abuja Light Rail.
A Vision for Accessible Transportation
Speaking at the event, President Tinubu highlighted the symbolic importance of the Abuja Metro Line's operational revival. He shared his vision for a flourishing FCT with efficient public infrastructure and transportation systems, emphasizing that these services should benefit all who live and work in the city and surrounding communities.
“Our esteemed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), I’ve heard your announcement of two months of free train rides. I urge you to extend this till the year’s end. Let’s give our people something to celebrate,” the President stated before embarking on a 40-minute train journey from the metro station to the airport station.
A Milestone of Progress
President Tinubu described the reopening of the Abuja Metro Line as a significant milestone for the nation and the FCT. He recalled how the service, initially launched in 2018, faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent neglect. Determined to see a functional and efficient transportation system, Tinubu challenged the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to ensure the metro's revival.
“As we mark the first anniversary of my administration, we celebrate collaboration, dedication, progress, and foresight. Today, I’m proud to see that promise fulfilled,” President Tinubu remarked.
Commitment to Promises
The President reiterated his administration's commitment to delivering on its promises. He praised the completion of access roads to the various train stations, which he believes will provide hope and connectivity to individuals and organizations alike.
“Transportation offers hope and connectivity to individuals and organizations. The newly constructed access roads to various stations make this possible. Today, we witness a government that delivers on its promises,” he emphasized.
Financial Hurdles Overcome
Minister Nyesom Wike recounted how the President’s directive in September 2023 spurred swift action. He disclosed that the Central Bank of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General, facilitated the payment of a $30 million contract debt to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which had been inherited from the previous administration.
Wike also noted that the construction of access roads cost N21.4 billion, further illustrating the practical impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda. “We have given back renewed hope to the people. The Renewed Hope Agenda is real, working, and practical,” Wike stated.
A Testament to Renewed Hope
FCT Mandate Secretary for Transportation, Chinedu Elechi, provided an overview of the project, stating that the Abuja Metro Line operates 12 trains, each capable of carrying 700 passengers across 14 trips per day. This capacity allows the system to transport approximately 980,000 passengers monthly within the FCT.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and other dignitaries accompanied the President on the inaugural train ride, marking a day of significant achievement and renewed hope for Nigeria's public transportation system.
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