The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, announced on Thursday that Nigerians would enjoy free train rides in the nation’s capital for two months.
This initiative is part of the activities marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first year in office. The announcement was made during the Ministerial Sectoral Updates in Abuja.
The briefing was attended by several key ministers, including the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim Bio; Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud; Minister of State Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; and Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande.
Wike highlighted the significant infrastructural developments in the FCT, expressing confidence that Abuja would soon be able to compete with other global cities in terms of road network quality.
He credited these achievements to President Tinubu’s strategic approval for removing the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which has facilitated more efficient project execution.
Wike also revealed that President Tinubu would commission the commercial operation of the Abuja metro line.
He clarified that previous inaugurations were limited to buildings, whereas the upcoming event would launch the actual metro operations.
The President is set to ride the metro line on Monday, 27th May, and from Tuesday onward, free rides will be available to the public for two months.
This move aims to alleviate transportation costs for residents and aligns with the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He stated, “We are not talking of commissioning buildings, but the commercial operation.
“There were no access roads to the stations, which impeded the operation of the metro line.
“The President will ride on the metro line on Monday, 27th May; it will be your turn, Nigerians, as from Tuesday.
“And there will be free rides for two months, to reduce the pain on our people, that is what is called the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“How was Abuja before? Every day was kidnapping, one chance, and all of that.
“But when we came on board, we visited the 6 area councils and interacted with the people. They said there were no roads, and security agencies had no access roads.
“We took it up from there, and all the area councils can attest to the fact that by December this year, we will commission up to 120 kilometres of roads.
“We have also provided security agencies with all the logistics they need, it’s not like before. The moment they want to go for an operation, logistics are made available.
“You can now sleep with your two eyes closed; even though no society is 100 per cent crime-free, but is the situation different? Yes, you can attest to the fact that it is no longer what it used to be,” he disclosed.
The Minister also highlighted the significant impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on the FCT civil service during the Ministerial Sectoral Updates in Abuja.
Wike recalled that, upon taking office, it was evident that FCT civil servants were disheartened and lacked opportunities for career advancement.
He explained that civil servants were stagnated at the director level, unable to grow in rank.
“When we came in, we looked at the law passed and assented to in 2018; we wrote the President, and he approved the immediate implementation of that law.
“Today, we have the FCT Civil Service Commission, Permanent Secretary, and Head of Service of FCT; so they have hope now. As far as structure is concerned, Mr President has given them that hope.
“In the area of education, over 19 schools are being rehabilitated.”
Wike also asserted that the current administration has been more inclusive of the indigenous people of Abuja than previous governments.
He assured that the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda would extend to all parts of the FCT, including satellite towns, ensuring widespread development and improvement in living standards across the territory.
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