President Bola Tinubu gave an insight into why the old Nigerian national anthem was re-adopted as its recitation officially took off on Wednesday.
Speaking at the launch of the Abuja Light Rail System commercial operations, he said the fulfilment of the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike’s promise to deliver the project on time, was all about service delivery to the nation as captured in the anthem.
Noting part of the anthem with the words “I’m proud to serve,” President Tinubu praised the implementation of the project, which was flagged off by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007 as part of the move to host the 2014 Commonwealth games.
The loan agreement for the project was first signed under former President Goodluck Jonathan on November 7, 2012, by Nigeria and the China EXIM Bank.
It is a 45.245km standard gauge rail line starting from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Abuja metro station.
The project was commissioned by former President Muhammadu Buhari on July 12, 2018.
The rail is conceived to link 13 communities with 12 stations including the Abuja Metro, Stadium, Kukwaba 1 and 2, Wupa, Idu, Bassanjiwa, Airport, Gwagwa Dei-Dei, Kagini and Gbazango.
After cutting the tape, the President took a ride on it along with other dignitaries to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport terminal.
Tinubu said: “The re-commencement of this project is a dream come true for this administration. It is a demonstration of serious commitment to value that we all should embrace in this country.”
The president said the idea of the project is in line with his administration’s renewed hope agenda, adding: “Transportation gives hope and access to various individuals and organizations but here we are.”
The president observed that at the last review, the access roads to the train stations were non-existent but by the commissioning, noting, “but today, we are proudly saying you are truly serving the nation, and that is part is the critical elements of our new national anthem…it is all about service, you are proud to serve your motherland.
“Abuja light rail metro stand as a symbol of progress, connectivity, inclusivity and it signifies our determination to modernise our transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic congestion in FCT and enhance accessibility to whole residents, visitors within and outside Abuja.”
Also read: Why I’ll never sing new national anthem — Obi Ezekwesili
President recalled the pledge by the FCT minister to make commuting on the train free for two months but appealed to him to extend it to the end of this year.
“Our dear landlord and his team, I heard you saying two-month free ride. I appeal to you to make it till end of the year free ride. That will give the people hope and reason to celebrate.”
“Today, what we have in the FCT is another piece of evidence that we are a govt that delivers on promises.
“I observe keenly other milestones that this administration has achieved especially in social services and other public utilities.”
In his remark, the FCT minister disclosed how the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under his watch was able to construct access roads and car parks in 12 train stations at the rate of 21.4 billion naira.
He said: “As I speak to you today, all those roads have been completed for people to use to the various train stations. We constructed access roads to all the 12 train stations, including car parks at N21.4 billion.
“What we are doing today is the inauguration of the commercial operation.”
Wike also said the previous administration awarded the contract for the training of manpower for 29 months at 128 million dollars but his administration was able to reduce the amount.
He stated: “So, I sat with the company, and I said: ‘It is like you want to sabotage the business of this metro line.
“I said it was not possible, and they brought the amount down to 75 million dollars, saving the federal government 53 million dollars.”
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