Abuja Rail: Wike Inspects Work On Access Roads

By: Wisdom Acka

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, inspected work on the construction of access roads to the Abuja Light Rail train stations.

Wike, who expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work so far, stated that the inspection tour was to ensure delivery of the project before May 29, this year.

The Minister inspected Wupa Station, located near Idu and Bassan-Jiwa Station, by the Abuja International Airport.

His words: “This is part of our routine inspection of on-going projects to see what the contractors have been doing.

“We are working day and night to see that the promise we made to President Bola Tinubu and residents of the FCT, that by May, Mr. President will ride on the Metro line,” he said.

“But that is only the key thing. We want to have access roads to the various train stations, because if you do not create access roads to the communities who will be using the train, then the aim is defeated,” Wike added.

“If the access road is not there, how will the residents use the train stations to go to the city?” he wondered.

Restating the importance of delivering the project as scheduled and the serious approach by the contractors, Wike said: “What I am very happy about is that it appears the contractors are very serious”.

“You have heard what the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd.said that they will be working day and night to see that the project is completed,” the Minister said.

“Its importance is that we want to fulfill the promises we have made to Mr. President and residents of Abuja that God willing, everything being equal, we will use the Metro line in May,” he stressed.

“For me, it is a major battle so that it can reduce the influx of vehicles into the city. It is going to help us,” Wike emphasized.

The Minister revealed that FCT Administration was fully prepared in terms of funds, and had secured some funding sources to deliver the projects.

He alleyed fears that insecurity would affect work on site; assuring that security has improved tremendously, thereby, making it possible for them to also work at night.

The Minister also inspected construction of a single lane expressway from Idu Industrial Layout to Zuba, being handled by Salini Nigeria Ltd.

He explained that the project was stalled because it crossed a rail line and required permission from the Federal Ministry of Transport to proceed; adding: “If approval is given, then we will be able to do some work and facilitate the speed.”