An efficient transportation system remains the bedrock for the advancement of any societal and economic progression especially in developing nations like Nigeria. In fact, transportation has proven to be a linchpin in the wheel of contemporary economic landscapes.
It is undoubtedly true, therefore, that a modern city such as Abuja, requires top-notch reforms in the transport sector not only to alleviate urban congestion but to ultimately improve quality of life.
Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), received with excitement the news that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting in Aso Rock, in May this year, approved a total of N96billion for the construction of three strategic bus terminals in Abuja.
The bus terminals are designed to be located in the Central Business District, Mabushi, and Kugbo areas of the city with the aim of enhancing the standard of transportation infrastructure in Abuja. The completion of the projects is also expected to complement the massive expansion road works, some ongoing, being executed by the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in the territory.
According to Wike, the administration has made adequate funding arrangement to forestall any possible delay in the completion of the projects, with a target delivery timeline of not more than one year.
The President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio is among several Nigerians who strongly believe that the bus terminals is a worthwhile project for the city as it would serve as a hub facilitating efficient movement of people.
“It is a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance the infrastructure and public transportation system of the capital city of our beloved country,” Akpabio noted recently during the flag off of one of the terminals.
Considering that Minister Wike has delivered several infrastructure projects in Abuja especially roads within the last year, the government’s failure to link available mass transit buses and taxis to dedicated terminals such as the ones being constructed would obviously defeat its broader ambitious development agenga for the city.
Director of media in the office of the FCT Minister Anthony Ogunleye in a statement confirmed that some critical projects delivered by Wike in the last one year include the Southern Parkway, from the Christian Center to the Ring Road (renamed as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way), rehabilitation of the Abuja Metro Line, and the construction of access roads to the train stations and parking lots.
Others are the flag-off of the commercial operation of Abuja light rail, provision of engineering infrastructure to Wuye district, full scope development of Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from the Villa roundabout to Ring Road 1, and full scope development of Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) (renamed the Wole Soyinka Way), the expansion of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from the Villa roundabout to OSEX/Ring Road 1 junction, roads B6, B12, and Circle Road in Central Area, and the provision of engineering infrastructure to Guzape district lot II.
President Bola Tinubu in May this year, took a tour of these projects as part of activities marking his one year in office, expressing deep satisfaction with the performance of the FCT Minister.
Interestingly, a number of analysts also agree that all of these projects would become more meaningful if properly linked with convenient and efficient bus and taxi services for the pleasure of residents and visitors of Abuja.
For the FCT Minister, at the center of his new transportation vision for the city, is the potential of the bus terminals assisting to address issues of criminality such as the menace of commercial cab robberies known as ‘one chance.’
“What we are trying to do is to integrate and improve our transport system. It is going to cut off this so-called ‘one chance’ that is always committed here,” Wike said recently in Abuja.
The FCT Minister emphasizes that “Abuja is a beautiful city. By the grace of God, through the support of Mr. President, we have continued to expand the road infrastructure, improve the efficiency of public transportation, reduce traffic congestion and provide a more comfortable and convenient travel experience for both residents and visitors.”
Wike is fortunate to have the maximum support of his principal, President Tinubu who sees the former Rivers State governor as a true ambassador of the Renewed Hope agenda in the nation’s capital.
As planned, the management of the terminals are expected to ensure that buses and taxi operators at the designated points in the city are clearly identified for security reasons. In the views of Hajia Abdulrahman, a member representing Abuja South Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, the strategic location of the bus terminals in the city creates wider room for easy access by residents.
Reliable research findings show that Abuja has continued to face a mirage of challenges in the transport sector without the definitive polical will by previous administrations to tackle them headlong.
Among the challenges are issues of passenger safety, high and irregular fares, bus inavailability, absence of commenters’ comfort levels, over speeding on transit, delays at parks, bus stops and on transit highways, as well as non adherence to estimated arrival and departure times.
It becomes imperative to understand that the population of Abuja is increasing and much faster than car ownership levels with majority of people depending on public transport except for short journeys and essential private car users. Inadequate public transport services in the city could have a detrimental effect on economic activities, also reducing government’s own chances of generating the needed revenue to fund public infrastructural development.
Wike’s new drive for the sector therefore requires full stakeholders’ support and buy-in. The FCT Minister aside building bus terminals should also take proactive measures to revive the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company, the Abuja Leasing Company, and other agencies of the administration that are relevant to complement his visible transport reforms already receiving massive accolades.
