The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved contract for the provision of security services to the Abuja Rail Mass Transit phase at a total sum of N718, 193, 250 million.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, who made this known after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Presidential villa today, August 24, said that the contract was awarded to two security service providers, namely Messrs Al-Ahli Security Guards Ltd, at the cost of N407, 214, 000 million, covering a distance of 27.245 kilometers and comprising of eight rail stations and Messrs Segad Security Protective Company Ltd, at the cost of N310, 979, 250 million, covering a distance of 18 kilometers, comprising of four stations.
According to the minister, the scope of the contract, which will last for a period of two years, includes protection of the rail tracks, Communication and Control Centre infrastructure as well as electrical and signaling equipment.
The FCT Acting Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, Usman Musa Yahaya, who provided more details on the contract, explained that the provision of emergency security services to the rail tracks became imperative following vandalization of portions of the track.
Yahaya recalled that following the commissioning the Abuja Rail Mass Transit operation in June, 2018, provision of rail services continued till the nation-wide lock down, which was occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He regretted that vandals took advantage of the lock down and vandalized some of the rail facilities.
“This approval is therefore a very good one for the FCT because it will go a long way in securing the rail track.”
