FCT residents can eagerly anticipate a significant upgrade in their transportation options as Minister Nyesom Wike confirmed that President Bola Tinubu will officially launch the Abuja Metro Line, also known as the Light Rail, on May 27, this is a major achievement for the city’s transportation infrastructure.
Abuja’s transportation landscape is set to receive a significant boost as President Bola Tinubu prepares to launch the highly anticipated Abuja Metro Line, also referred to as the Light Rail, on May 27, ushering in a new era of efficient and reliable public transport for FCT residents.
President Tinubu’s promise to deliver the metro line within a year has become a rallying cry for Minister Wike, who is resolute in his commitment to turn this vision into a tangible reality for the Nigerian people.
“Thank God Almighty that we are good to go. We are ready and you can see the facilities have been installed.
“We are happy; very very happy, and we thank God the promise President Tinubu made has been kept.
President Tinubu’s promise to deliver the metro line within a year has become a rallying cry for Minister Wike, who is resolute in his commitment to turn this vision into a tangible reality for the Nigerian people.
Minister Wike hailed the metro line’s launch as a shining example of President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” manifesto in action, symbolizing a new era of progress and development for Nigeria.
The minister said that the project was delivered because of the overwhelming support of President Tinubu.
“We are doing well because Mr President has given us every necessary support. Assuming we are not getting the support from him, this would not have been a reality today,” he said.
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He, however, identified facilities that were omitted during the design of the project, particular air conditioning in the passengers waiting room and elevator.
He said: “We are happy with the project. It is just that we identify one or two things that were omitted during the design.
“But we believe that during the full operations of the train, some of the things will be taken into consideration.
“Particularly, I believe that as a standard metro line, where the passengers will be waiting before boarding the trains, there should be air conditioners.
“I also thought that some of the stations should have had an elevator for those who are very old and those who may not have the strength to walk or climb the staircase.
“Apart from that, I think we are happy with the work that has been done and we believe Nigerians will be happy, particularly the residents of FCT.”
With the metro line set to run at full steam, the only drawback is the absence of air conditioning and elevators, which will make passenger journeys slightly more uncomfortable.
According to the minister, the project’s scope extends to include the construction of access roads, effectively linking surrounding communities to the train stations, fostering integration and convenience.
The minister logically pointed out that without feeder roads, the metro line would be an exercise in futility, as residents from various communities would be unable to access the train stations.
Sources close to the project revealed that its original brief was to devise a tangible fix for the chronic transportation headaches afflicting the nation’s capital and its neighboring areas, including debilitating traffic jams and standstills.