Wike Flags Off Construction Of Another Bus Terminal In Abuja

By: Wisdom Acka

FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has flagged off construction of a bus terminal in the Central Business District (CBD), Abuja, bringing the number of bus terminals under construction to three.

Abuja Digest recalls that Wike, had, barely a month ago, flagged off development of Mabushi and Kugbo bus/taxi terminals.

Speaking Monday during the flag off ceremony at the site of the project, beside the Abuja Eagle Square, Wike disclosed that the three terminals would be completed next year.

His words: “I believe, by the grace of God, next year, as the contractor has promised, we will formally commission these three bus and taxi terminals to the glory of God”.

The Minister stressed: “This is not a project that’s been awarded and then we say there is no funds. We have told the contractor -there is no augmentation. Am not going to rush back to the Federal Executive Council or Mr. President for augmentation.
The money is being provided. I have told the contractor”.

Wike, while reassuring the contractor that funding would not be a problem, charged: “Do all you can and tell us when the next payment will be; be assured that you will get your money”.

“FCT does not carry out projects where the funds are not there. We are not going to do that. We are not going to award contracts just to satisfy people. We must award contracts when we know the funding is there. No amount of pressure will make bus go and award contracts to satisfy particular individuals or group of individuals”, he said.

Stressing the importance of the bus terminals, the Minister stated that linking them with road infrastructure would provide a holistic transportation system that would tackle insecurity, especially one-chance criminal activities in Abuja.

According to him, “Abuja is a beautiful city, by the grace of God; through the support of Mr. President, we have continued to expand the road infrastructure. Yes, if we expand the road infrastructure without linking it with the various bus terminals, we don’t think we’ve been able to achieve what we should achieve. What we are trying to do is to integrate and improve transport system.”

“It is going to cut off this so called one-chance crime that is always committed”, he added.

Wike explained that, besides eliminating insecurity, the bus terminals would serve as places where FCT residents could find comfort and cover against the rains and scorching sun; adding that their destinations and identities of the drivers and vehicles would be known.

“You can come here (bus terminals) and relax your self until when your bus or taxi will take you out. So for security reasons, we will be able to identify, unlike where you will go and stand on the road; you don’t know who is plying the vehicles….and you enter and that’s the end of the story”, he stated.