Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has asked Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF), to consider satellite towns in the territory in the plans for massive railway transportation system now in the offing.
He asked the body to carry out a study with a view to according attention to the satellite towns to better the lives of residents dwelling in such areas, adding that he gives priority attention to the provision of basic infrastructure in these areas because a large number of population resident in them.
The minister spoke on Tuesday when a delegation of the NIAF, led by its Technical Team Leader, Mr. Michael Mutter, paid him a visit in his office, to make presentation on public transportation in the Territory.
Muhammad Bello who appreciated the support the FCT Administration has been receiving from NIAF, assured that his administration would support the International Donor Agency to achieve more results.
He assured that his government would avoid some of the pitfalls in the management of the bus system and that a lot of work has been done in the rail transportation policy with all the other related items captured in the draft paper that has been sent to the National Assembly.
He asked NIAF to take a closer look at the operations of the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company (AUMTCO) to give professional advice on how to improve its services, adding that efficient mass transportation is very significant to the smooth running of every municipality.
The Minister said that maintenance of the Bus Rapid Transit system in the FCT has been quite stressful as result of the quality of the buses as well their suitability for the terrain they are operating.
“Even if the buses were up and doing, we’ve realized that the way the company is structured now, their revenue stream cannot pay for their expenses. So, these are the challenges that we are facing. Especially on the Central Business District to Masaka corridor, I have read some reports from the FCT Engineering Department, from Federal Road Safety Commission as well as the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the general feeling is that the road as presently designed is not wide enough to meet up on the requirements of BRT operation. It’s not as wide as the 10 lanes that we have on the Kubwa and Airport Expressways. These are areas that people have raised concerns,” he stressed.
“But, in overall, I’m so pleased that we are relating and partnering with a very reputable organization like yours, with the full support of the UK AID and also the government of the United Kingdom. I’m happy that you consider the FCT as one of your best clients.” [myad]
