‘Investors to manage Abuja Light Rail to free burden, huge cost of running’

THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday, disclosed that investors are likely to indicate interest to manage the Abuja Light rail system which if materialised, would free government of the burden and huge cost of running the system which is both difficult to build and manage.

It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari recently inaugurated the completed Abuja Light rail for the use of the populace.

FCT Secretary in charge of Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa made this known while briefing journalists in Beijing, China on the sideline of the ongoing 2018 Summit of Forum of China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

He revealed that the project was partly financed by the China Exim Bank, Cooperation of the Chinese Government and also partly by the FCTA, pointing out that, “Phase one of the rail projects has been completed and phase two contract has been signed and we are waiting for financing.”

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On the comprehensive benefits of the FOCAC summit to the FCT, the Secretary said: “FCT is the fastest growing city of the world and Africa and you can only imagine the amount of investment the Chinese want to bring in.

“FCT has the population. Nigeria has the population and China has the financing. So, there could not be a better time for Nigeria and China as well as FCTA and Chinese investors to partner on infrastructural development.”