Abuja Light Rail: Wike Announces Readiness to Commence Commercial Operations

In a significant development, the Abuja Light Rail is set to revolutionize transportation in the Federal capital territory.

The Abuja Light Rail, a long-awaited transportation solution, is finally prepared for commercial operations, bringing relief to commuters in the Federal capital territory.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, announced the readiness of the Abuja light rail after conducting a final inspection, expressing satisfaction with the facilities in place.

This is coming seven days before the official inauguration of the project by President Bola Tinubu.

Wike credited the fulfilment of this mandate to ensure its readiness within one year of office to President Tinubu.

The fully operational rail line will provide commuters with an alternative means of transportation from the Central Business District to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, serving communities along the airport road.

“We are ready and you can see the facilities. Just that we identified one or two things that were omitted during the design, but we believe that during the full operations, some of these things will be taken into consideration.

“Particularly, I believe that as a standard metro line where the passengers will be waiting before they board the trains, there should be air conditioners and then 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 to climb the staircases.

“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.

“The lack of facilities will not inhibit the operation. They are just what will make the passengers get more comfortable.

“When operations start, these are things they could take care of. It will not stop the operation.

“Without the access roads to the train station, there would be no need for the metro line. How will the people from the various communities access the stations?

“But we thank God we have seen the access road, you can just take your car, park at the station, board the train go to wherever you want to go and still come and take your vehicles and go back to wherever you live.

“So, we are happy very very happy, and we thank God the promise Mr. President made has been kept.

“Mr president said he’d going to deliver, and he gave a marching order to the foot soldiers which as ministers we have no choice but to make sure that the promise made by Mr president, his renewed hope agenda and Nigerian has come to see it’s a reality.

“Everything was made possible by God and the support and then by the Mr President has given to us in FCT. We are doing well because Mr. President has given us every necessary support.

“Assuming we are not getting support from him, this wouldn’t have been a reality today.”

Speaking on the cost, Wike said that the “rehabilitation was not less than $15 million, so not less than N10 billion and all that money has been paid. What we are doing now is additional works that were added.”