By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
In line with the FCT Administration for provision of effective transportation system in the territory, the FCT Minister Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello recently flagged off the construction of access road and car park for the Kagini Train Station.
In a press release signed by the FCTA Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye made available to Daybreak, the new road is in line with the Abuja Transportation Masterplan.
Bello at the ceremony said that the Kagini train station is one of twelve light rail stations provided under the Abuja Rail Mass Transport system and is designed to service the Kagini, Saburi, Jahi and Kaba Districts of the Federal Capital City.
He revealed that the project was funded in large part by the Federal Ministry of Environment from the proceeds of issuance of the Sovereign Green Bond of the federal Government and on completion will ensure the seamless movement of commuters, goods and services to and from the station to other parts of the FCT.
According to the Minister the project is designed to reduce carbon emissions from cars as it is expected that residents will use more of the trains than motor vehicles. In the words of the Minister, “We expect that with the opening of the train station to passengers, many commuters from this part of the city would use the trains instead of their motor vehicles thereby reducing carbon emissions”.
Furthermore the minister urged the Environment Ministry to assist the FCTA’s efforts to power the street and traffic lights in the city using renewable energy such as solar.
He enjoined residents of Kagini community to cooperate with the contractors in their task, he said that on completion, the project will contribute to the socio-economic development of the Kagini area and the FCT as a whole.
Speaking on the Sovereign Green Bond, Minister of Environment, Dr Muhammad Mahmood Abubakar who flagged –off the construction process explained that the Sovereign Green Bond is a strategic process by the federal Government to deliver on Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) whose implementation explores and channels resources into viable green projects that are expected to help the nation to meet its emission reduction targets and further solidify its stance on the low carbon pathway and economic diversification”.
Also present at the occasion the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu said that the success of the project represented the fruits of the FCT Administration’s prudent management of resources and completion of projects with the positive impact on FCT residents.
Present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, the Ag Executive Secretary of the FCDA TPL Zaliha’u Ahmed, and other senior officials of the FCTA, Ministry of Environment and community leaders of the Kagini Area Council.
