BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Since the conception of the location of the new Federal Capital Territory FCT to be located in Abuja , over three decades away, the establishment of ‘Abuja light Rail Project ‘ popularly known as ‘Abuja Metroline’ was conceived to ease movements of people, goods and services through a model transportation of rail system, to complement the vehicular ones from the satellite towns and six area councils of AMAC, Kuje , Gwagwalada, Kwali, Abaji , and Bwari.
Even though , the well drafted project was abandoned after so many decades untill the appointment of Barrister Nyesome Ezenwo Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT in 2023, after the swearing in of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The project was also executed and completed by the Wike led FCT administration in his view to provide alternative route and transport to also decongest the city center, with unwanted elements and pave way with those with genuine business to have their way as at when due.
On assumption of duty , he inspected the abandoned project and invited the contractors to resume work with a view to commissioning it in the one year administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, a promise he kept .
True to his words the project was completed and commissioned by the President and put to use free of charge for consecutive six months for commuters plying the rail and coordinated by the Nigeria Railway Corporation NRC
Located in the heart of the city centre, the Central Business District,CBD, the Abuja Metroline’ Rail Project , the first light rail in the whole of West Africa covers 12 networks within the Abuja metropolis, with stops at the airport, Wupa, Idu, Bassanjiwa, Kukwaba I, Kukwaba II, and the Abuja metro.
Alot of enthusiasm and relief came the way of Abuja residents as the free movement of people and goods came at a time when the cost of fuel was no longer affordable, due to the removal of fuel subsidy and increase of over one thousand percent of the cost of fuel .
The original plan of the FCT administration became realistic due fo the decongestion of the city centre with vehicles and people as a result of the completion, commissioning and the utilisation of the once moribund project of Abuja Metroline’ Rail Project that was only known by description and not utilisation.
As of the end of 2024, commuters in Abuja could enjoy free rides on the Abuja Metro Line, a decision made by President Bola Tinubu to ease commuting and celebrate the first anniversary of his administration that brought a lot of relief to commuters resident in Abuja and will gradually spread to other part of FCT and bey
The projected cost of the entire proposed 290 km (180 mi) network, to be developed in six phases, was US$824 million, constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), with 60% of the cost funded by loans from the Exim Bank of China, while 40% will be written off by the FCT administration/federal government.
With the new facility, the cost of movement to and from the city centre, the planned decongestion of particularly those who does not have business in the city centre and people with legitimate and good intentions has affected the smooth operations of the new rail transport system.
What Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has done , is to again prove cynics wrong that nothing works in the country, as he brought a lot of revolution to both infrastructure and manpower development into the FCT.
When completed will accommodate alot of businesses and people as well as ease of doing business across local and international spheres with the FCT administration and the Federal government.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
