$1.3bn Abuja Light Rail Debuts
President Muhammdu Buhari on Thursday commissioned the $1.3bn first Abuja Light Rail system in demonstration of the commitment to address dearth of critical infrastructure.
Buhari said at the commissioning that the project was borne out of the ideal of the Change Agenda of the government to ensure prudence in the management of public resources, value for money considering the huge investments in this project.
He said that transportation is the livewire of any city and expressed optimism that a modern rail service would boost the economy and greatly enhance social life.
“I am aware that what we have on ground today are coaches meant to provide skeletal services as we await the main set of the rolling stock for full operations.’’
He said he had been briefed on the signing of the memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements for the procurements of the main rolling stock.
He assured Nigerians of Federal Government’s continued support for all the negotiations towards the realization of the Abuja Light Rail system.
“Today, what we have in the Federal Capital Territory is another evidence that we are a government that delivers on its promises.
“I have observed keenly other milestones that this Administration has achieved, especially in the areas of education, public utilities and infrastructure development. ‘’
President Buhari commended the efforts of Federal Capital Terrirtory (FCT) as well as the support and patience of the residents to make the project a reality.
President Buhari unveils the plaque at the commissioning of the Abuja Light Rail
“I am thankful to the Government and people of China for their investment in the Nigerian economy. I commend the CCECC Limited – the Contracting Firm, for the quality of work and timely delivery of this project.
“Let me place on record the Nigerian government’s appreciation to the Government of China and the EXIM Bank of China for their support on this and many other projects currently being executed in the country.
“This gesture further cements the already existing cordial relations and developmental partnership between Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China. ‘’
Earlier, the Minister of FCT, Malam Musa Bello, revealed that the Abuja Rail Mass Transit System was an integral part of the FCT Transportation Master Plan.
He said the plan was designed primarily to transport large numbers of people and goods from satellite towns into the Metropolitan Public Transport system and the different Phases of the Federal Capital City.
He said the Abuja rail system was packaged in six lots planned for phased development, based on preferential demand and available financial resources.
He added that the Abuja Rail Mass Transit System was planned to integrate with the National Rail Network when eventually completed.
The minister said the implementation of the project had been divided into phases, with phase 1 inaugurated by the president.
He said FCTA had concluded an infrastructure soft loan agreement with Exim Bank of China for the supply of the remaining coaches, including their maintenance for three years at a cost of 194 million dollars.
He said the bank would fund the project up to 157 million dollars or 85 per cent of the total cost, while FCTA would bring in a counterpart fund of 37million dollars (15 per cent).
Bello said FCTA had since commenced work on phase II of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit Project. He said the phase 11 would cover a distance of 32.54km from Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway at Garki Area I via the Transportation Centre to Gwagwa and from Bazango Station to Kubwa.
He said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2017 approved the project for construction by CCECC at a cost of 1.3 billion dollars.
“We hope that the minister of Finance would consider putting this key project in the next borrowing plans, the minister of Budget and National Planning would agree to it, the National Assembly would approve it and that China – Exim Bank would fund it as a mark of goodwill for the cordial relationship between our two countries,’’ he said.
The president was taken on a guided tour of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit and Abuja new International Terminal at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Minister of State, Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, and Bello led the tour at Idu Rail Station and Abuja airport.
The Abuja Rail Mass Transit is the first mass transit project in Nigeria as well as in West Africa
