The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the ongoing construction of three bus terminals as critical infrastructure that will check ‘one chance’ menace when in operation.
Wike said this on Tuesday after inspecting two of the three bus terminal projects and access road to Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal under construction in Dakibiyu, Abuja.
Recall that the Wike-led FCT Administration had in 2024 awarded contracts for the construction of bus and taxi terminals in Mabushi, Central Area and Kugbo Districts of Abuja.
The minister, who inspected the Mabushi and Kugbo bus terminal projects, expressed joy that President Bola Tinubu administration was providing such critical transportation infrastructure.
He explained that the facility would not only take commuters away from the road to the terminals to board buses and taxis, but also to ensure safety and security.
Wike said: “That, of course, will limit the incidence of “one chance”, criminals who posed as drivers to snatch passengers of their valuables.
“So that’s the sense of building these terminals, and also to clean up the city so we don’t have buses all over the road, turning every roadside to a motor park.
“We are happy that we’re providing this kind of infrastructure. You will agree with me that the bus terminal is a basic intervention for us to change our transport system.
“We’re quite impressed with what we have seen. I commend the contractors for a job well done. We will try as much as we can to make sure that the projects were delivered within the agreed timeline”.
Wike said that the bus terminals, when completed and become operational, would sanitize the city’s transportation system.
Speaking on the road network in Dakibiyu, the minister expressed confidence that the road project would be part of the line-up of projects for inauguration to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in office.
Wike assured FCT residents of the commitment of Tinubu-led government to provide first class infrastructure that they deserve to live a quality life.
The FCT Minister also acknowledged improvements at the Mabushi bus terminal following his previous concerns about the finishing and commended the contractor for their responsiveness.
He said; “There is an improvement, and I commend the contractor. When we went there the last time, I shouted at them that I’m not happy with the finishing. From what I have seen now, there are a lot of improvements”.
Speaking on the date for the commissioning of projects to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year in office, the Minister said the President will determine the dates based on his convenience.
Wike clarified that while the projects were slated for inauguration during the anniversary period, they will not necessarily be commissioned on May 29.
According to the Minister; “The President can give us a date as part of the anniversary. It does not mean that everything must be done on May 29. We have specific dates, pending the approval and convenience of Mr. President. You can’t commission the whole project on May 29. I have said that it will take us two weeks to commission the completed projects”.
Wike attributed the successful funding of projects in the FCT to prudent resource management and the support of the President, adding that the FCT Administration will only award contracts based on the availability of resources.
He said; “We don’t just go and award contracts for the sake of awarding contracts. We award contracts based on the resources we have, and with the little taxes we are collecting. And with the support that Mr. President has given, we are able to prioritize our expenditure”.
