Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated that the two new bus terminals set to be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu will play a significant role in curbing the menace of taxi-related robberies and abductions, commonly known as “one chance,” in the nation’s capital.
Speaking on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the nearly completed terminals in Kugbo, near Nyanya, and Mabushi, Wike said the facilities are designed to enhance safety and restore order to Abuja’s public transportation system.
“What it means is that you don’t need to stay on the road. You have to go to the bus terminal, and there, we know the drivers, we know the vehicles you have boarded. That, of course, will limit this ‘one chance’,” the minister explained. “That is the sense of building these terminals — to clean up the city and stop having buses all over the roads acting as motor parks.”
The FCT minister noted that unregistered and poorly maintained vehicles are often linked to incidents of crime and insecurity in the transport sector. By centralizing operations at well-monitored terminals, Wike said, the government aims to eliminate the conditions that enable such criminal activity.
He also expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work at the terminals, noting significant improvements since his last visit. The projects, he added, are being executed with fiscal discipline, emphasizing that contracts are awarded only when funds are available.
“It is a matter of prudent spending and prioritizing what we intend to do. We don’t award contracts for the sake of awarding them. With the little taxes we are collecting and the support from Mr. President, we’re able to fund our priorities,” Wike said.
In addition to the terminals, the minister also inspected several ongoing road projects, including the road leading to the Court of Appeal at Daki Biyu, which he hinted may be among the projects inaugurated during President Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
“We are happy that we have provided this kind of infrastructure. Of course, you will agree with me that the bus terminal is a basic step toward transforming our transport system,” he added. “We commend the contractors for a job well done and assure Abuja residents that under President Tinubu’s leadership, we will deliver first-class infrastructure they truly deserve.”
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