The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has restated his promise that President Bola Tinubu will inaugurate the Abuja Metro Light Rail project in May 2024. He also said the train design was subpar but could no longer be changed.
Mr Wike said this while inspecting the project on Thursday in Abuja.
He called for an unwavering dedication to completing the construction on time, stating that it would be disastrous for him if he failed to do so after the president released funds for the project.
“But be it as it may, we still have to work round the clock to see that we achieve our results and I’ve also directed that the stations must be cleaned. All the things that are not there must be provided. There will be no room for excuses at all.
“That’s why it’s not good for you to be in the office. You have to go and see things for yourself and not depend on the reports coming from the field.
“You can imagine if I am sitting in the office and then depending on the reports from those who said they are in the field, by the time I come here in May, I will be messed up. But I thank God that I came to see things for myself.”
“But frankly speaking, knowing where I’m coming from, having presided over projects like this, I’m not in a happy mood at all,” the minister stated.
Poor quality of design
Mr Wike also raised concerns about the design quality, particularly the absence of central cooling systems.
He expressed his dissatisfaction that the designs were subpar, stating that he would not have made promises if he had been aware of these issues earlier.
Despite expressing unhappiness with the ongoing construction, he remained focused on finding solutions to the identified issues and ensuring that the Metro Line becomes a functional and secure transportation system.
“From what I have seen, the designs are very poor. Whoever may have approved the designs is unfair to Nigerians.
“I’ve told CCECC that this kind of design is not even acceptable in their own country and if I had known before now, I would not have promised Mr. President that it would be ready.
“The design of the access roads linking to the various stations, those who conceptualised it…. people will always talk about money and so they rush into things without properly evaluating and seeing the benefit it will accrue to the residents and the users.
“The conceptualisation is not the best, but again what do you do? This is what is on the ground. We have to see how we can finish it on time,” the minister said.
Award of the perimeter fence
Mr Wike said there are security lapses at the Abuja Metro Station despite a pre-existing security contract.
He lamented the continued theft and vandalism of rail infrastructure.
He specifically pointed out the absence of a perimeter fence promising to look into the matter immediately.
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He expressed surprise that the security contract was not awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), and pledged immediate action to rectify the situation and enhance security measures.
“When we visited the metro station, I discovered that there are issues of security lapses and I remember when I came for the first time after our inauguration, I did say that they have to work on the issue of security by putting on the fence around the metro station to ward off criminals.
“Unfortunately, that has not been done. To my surprise, I discovered that the contract was not even awarded to CCECC. It’s a different contract that was awarded by the FCT and this is my first time hearing that. We are going to take it up immediately to see that it is put in place because you can’t talk about the operation when you have not addressed the issue of security,” he said.
He therefore directed that the security contractors ensure improved security in the stations.
During the visit, Mr Wike interacted with key officials, including the permanent secretary, of the FCT ministry, the managing director of the construction company (CCECC), and senior officials from the FCTA and CCECC.
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