Tinubu Passionate About Abuja Rail Project, Must Be Delivered – Wike

By Remi Johnson

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike says he will not be happy if any challenge hinders expected delivery of the Metro Rail project by May this year.

The Minister who stated this during an inspection of the Abuja rail project, expressed worry over the poor engineering designs and cases of vandalism of rail tracks at the Kukwuaba and the Central Metro train Stations.

He noted that President Tinubu is so passionate about the train project and had given a directive for its completion, which must not be taken with levity.

Wike who specifically expressed displeasure over the vandalized security fence of the metro station and gave directive to get them fixed, warned that no excuses would be tolerated from anybody in the delivery of the rail project.

Wike therefore charged the contractors handling the projects to brace up and deliver before the agreed deadline.

“I will not be happy if in May this year, we are not able to operate this metro line. It will be very disastrous for me.Even the designs of the rail stations are very poor. Whoever approved the design is unfair to Nigerians.Frankly speaking, knowing where I am coming from, and having presided over projects like this, I cannot tell you that I am happy”.

“This is one project that I’m so passionate about, and you know that Mr. President gave me a directive that must not be taken for granted. Therefore, we must come and make sure that things are in good shape. So, I’m not happy, the company must speed up, and those who are doing the access roads must also speed up…I have also disbursed the funds for access roads, so we have no excuse.”Wike warned.

The Minister who further directed that all the needed accessories for functionality of the Abuja Rail project must be provided, called for the clean up of all the rail stations .

On the alleged theft and vandalism of the rail facilities by security personnel of the Chinese Company manning the stations,Wike promised to review the security contract of the Rail facilities.

“When we first visited the metro station, I discovered that there were many security lapses.I remember when I first came after our inauguration, I did say that we will have to work on the issue of security by putting a fence around the Metro Station to fend off criminals. Unfortunately, that has not been done and to my surprise, I discovered that the contract was not even awarded to CCECC. It is a different contractor awarded by the FCT.”

Wike also stressed the need for leaders not to depend solely on submitted reports, but rather, always go on a fact finding mission at every stage of any project to achieve the desired goal.

“Just that if by the time I came, i had taken time to go into all these projects, maybe we would have been able to identify some of these lapses and that is why it is not good for you to be in the office, you have to go and see things for yourself and don’t depend on reports coming from the field. You can imagine If I had sat in the office depending on reports, by the time I will come here in May, i will be messed up. But ,I thank God that I have come to see things for myself”, Wike noted.

Edited By Grace Namiji