NURTW LEADERSHIP LAUDS WIKE’S ACHIEVEMENTS
By: Chris Anioji
The Leadership of the FCT chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers has given the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, a pat on the back for what it described as rapid overhaul of Abuja ‘s public transport Infrastructure.
In a chat with Abuja Digest Reporter, the interim secretary of the FCT Council of the Union, Comrade Bashir Bello, serving as a proxy to the FCT Chairman of the Union, said that not in the history of the Territory had its authorities deployed the magnitude of Infrastructure seen in the FCT transport sector under Barrister Wike’s administration
Speaking further, Comrade Bello said, the advent of Wike’s administration was marked by massive construction of roads, resulting to the taping of unharnessed fortunes of the FCT transport sector. Some of the roads, he said were reconstructed under Wike’s administration were: a 13km Gomani/Yangoji road, 5km A2 / Pai road, all in Kwali Area council.
Others include, 15 km Pai/Gomani road, 9km paikon /kore/Ibuwa road, 15km Saburi 1 and 2 road, kuje township roads and many others commissioned in different parts of FCT.
These Infrastructures, the NURTW Chieftain said diminished the tear and wear of vehicles plying FCT, resulting to a nose-dive in the cost of maintaining such vehicle. Transporters were able to remain and grow in their businesses, he added.
The Secretary also gave kudos to the Administration for constructing bus terminals which according to him has brought sanity in road transportation within the Territory. A situation which he said led to significant decline in road criminality in FCT.
He further appreciated the FCT authorities for driving the interest of FCT transporters towards the allocation of CNG buses.
Continuing, he said, ” our Union benefited from the scheme”, stressing that Drivers operating under the Union had no jobs were assigned the buses for commercial purposes.
Adding that, drivers are gainfully employed while transport fares have drastically reduced in the FCT.
Regarding the Street lightening, he emphasmised on the reduction of accident and road criminality in the night.
He, therefore, commended the FCT Administration for a shift from the scenario of having street lights vandalized without replacements for months and for optimal functioning of the facility in recent times.
Adding that this helped its members to be in the streets at night which according to him often resulted in more earnings.
The NURTW, Bello said is a partner to FCTA in transport development and called for a greater collaboration between the two bodies, especially on matters of transport policies implementation.
Reflecting on some of the priorities of the transport Union, he appealed for more mega Motor Park where passengers can conveniently access all parts of Nigeria at highly reduced rates, promising the FCT administration of the Unions continued support.
