BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Since the movement from the nation’s city from Lagos to Abuja in the 80s, the issue of provision of substantive Bus and Taxi terminals had been a mirage, owing to government and political will to address the needed infrastructure in the FCT.
The existing and outdated ones has been converted either to beggars joint , abnormal people’s abode or an area reserved for shield during the rainy/hot season, negating the aims and objectives of putting up such archaic and outdated infrastructure.
This negative development fell short of the status of the nation’s city and the most populous black and giant of Africa, hence exposing pedestrians , travellers and shuttlers who move from one part of Abuja to the other difficulties to move freely.
It has also exposed motorists, passengers and travelers to all sorts of dangers that is characterised with such ugly development.
But, for Nyesom Wike on assumption of duty, such trend should not be the cynosure of the seat of government, particularly the nations city in view of its collective efforts through infrastructures, upgrade in the areas of roads, rail among many others.
To also create more orderliness, security and confidence in the administration of the FCT, the need to erect a befitting terminal for taxis and buses to enhance ease of movement to and from the city centre cannot be overlooked.
It will also create enough parking lot for government vehicles attached to Ministries, Departments and Agencies to avoid been tampered or creating unnecessary obstruction on the road side.
This led to the convening of an initial three bus and taxi terminals in Mabushi, Central Area , and Kugbo , the entrance from Nyanya area of the FCT as a pilot scheme, that will encourage spreading the facility across FCT and the six area councils.
Aside creating job opportunities for artisans, when completed will provide formidable security to lives and properties to users and also create job opportunities to the few workers that will be engaged to monitor the new concept provided by the FCT Minister , Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
The state of the art and modest terminals that is in tandem with the international standards, will provide commercial, professional, traders, and artisans the opportunity to show case their activities in a serene environment.
The multi Billion Naira project convened simultaneously in July , 2024 will be due for commissioning before the second year anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May to propagate the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.
The strategic construction in the three areas particularly the central area that involved massive movement of people, good and services to and from all walks of life into the city center, will be regulated in line with the policy framework of the new project .
Aside movement to and fro, it will also regulate the erratic movement of Taxis and Buses across the length and breadth of the nations city, as the pilot scheme will gradually metamorphosed into other parts of the nations city in the course of time .
For Barrister Nyesom Wike’s proactiveness, the provision of standardized bus and taxi terminals will reduce the incidence of criminals and unwanted elements in the city center and gradually across area councils of FCT.
Aside providing more time other areas, it is also capable of bringing to par infrastructure development as obtained both in the developing and developed countries.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
