By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike has said that there’s no going back of delivery of Metro Rail projects presently under his administration by May 2024.
Wike emphasized on this on Wednesday during his routine inspection of road projects and those connecting the Metro Rail Stations stretching from Idu Industrial Area, Wupa Station to Basan Jiwa Community.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, the minister emphasized on fulfilling his promise of May 2024 to President Bola Tinubu and the people of Abuja.
Wike said, “We are working day and night to see that to fulfil the promise we made to the president and also to the residents of Abuja and, God willing, by May 2024, we should have finished and people can ride on the Metro line.”
“And for me, this is a major breakthrough so it can reduce the influx of vehicles to the city and this is a plus”, the minister said.
“This is part of my routine inspection of ongoing projects. Remember, we were able to move to Idu site where we saw what the contractors Salina were doing.”
“We want access roads to the various stations because if we do not create access roads for the communities who will be using this metro line in the various stations.”
The minister, who faulted the plan of creating access road 1 km away from the Wupa Rail Station, stated that the aim would be defeated if passengers have to trek before boarding the train.
He stated, you can imagine if these access roads are not there, how would they use the stations to go to the city.
The minister was however optimistic that the contractors would finish the projects as promised, as they have promised to mobilize their workers to site day and night to ensure real-time delivery to the government and residents.
Speaking on the funding of the project, Wike stated that it falls under emergency and that the ministry of finance has provided more than 50% of the funds, adding that provision will also be made in the 2024 Statutory budget to complete the projects.
The minister further disclosed the Stakeholders’ whole houses were demolished to pave way for the projects have already been compensated .
