The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has assured residents that Abuja’s bus terminals will soon become operational, explaining that the delay was caused by procurement requirements and the process of selecting private operators to manage the facilities.
Wike gave the assurance on Monday while inspecting projects slated for commissioning as part of activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
The minister said all necessary approvals had been secured and the concessionaire selected to run the terminals was making final arrangements, including the acquisition of buses and taxis for full operations.
His explanation followed concerns over the terminals, some of which were commissioned nearly a year ago but have yet to commence services.
According to Wike, government facilities cannot be handed over to private operators without complying with due process.
“For you to give a private individual the responsibility to run government facilities, it has to pass through the procurement process. That process has been approved and the private operator is putting himself together to make sure that the bus terminal takes effect,” he said.
The minister dismissed fears that the facilities could become abandoned projects, insisting that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) would not allow public investments to lie idle.
“We are proud of what we are doing and we owe no apologies. Government process is not easy. Bureaucracy is involved. Why do you think government will expend money and then not put such a place to use?” he asked.
Meanwhile, Wike announced that President Tinubu would this week commission a fresh round of infrastructure projects across the FCT.
He said the commissioning programme would begin with the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) on Tuesday, followed by the N5 Road in Life Camp on Wednesday and the Airport-to-Kuje Road on Thursday.
“You can see we are very set. Tomorrow, the President will start the commissioning of the OSEX Road. The N5 Life Camp Road will be commissioned on Wednesday, while the Airport-to-Kuje Road comes up on Thursday. These projects are 100 per cent complete and ready,” he said.
Wike also disclosed that the President would commission the newly completed residences for Justices of the Court of Appeal on June 12.
The minister commended CGC Nigeria Limited, Arab Contractors and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for delivering the projects on schedule.
He further revealed that Tinubu would visit one of the Area Councils during the commissioning exercise, although the specific location would not be disclosed ahead of the visit for security reasons.
Wike attributed the ongoing transformation of Abuja’s infrastructure to Tinubu’s support and commitment to completing critical projects.
“The credit must go to Mr President, who has given the directive and the support for us to go this far. Leadership is about having the will to continue projects that may not have been initiated by you and ensuring they are completed,” he said.
He added that the Federal Capital Development Authority would issue traffic advisories ahead of the commissioning activities to minimise disruptions for residents.
