Members of the 10th House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the delay in the take-off of the Abuja Metro Rail project awarded at the sum of $824 million Chinese loan.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by Hon. Olumide Osoba, Hon. Kama Nkemkanma and Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha.
In his lead debate, Hon. Osoba observed that sequel to the removal of subsidy on refined petroleum products and the premium motor spirit (PMS) in particular, the cost of transportation of humans, goods, and services within cities,
intrastate and inter-states had more than doubled and in some instances tripled thereby causing untold hardships to the majority of Nigerians.
“The House is concerned that the Federal Government’s Urban Mass Transit Scheme and Public Mass Transit
Revolving Fund Scheme failed to address transportation challenges in Nigeria.
“In 2016, the Public Mass Transit Revolving Fund Scheme, which employed 50,000 Nigerians, failed to provide adequate employment opportunities.
“The House is also aware that the Abuja Bus Service (ABS) established in 1984 by the then Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory later transformed into the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited (AUMTCO), aimed to develop an environmentally friendly, sustainable urban public transport system in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The House is worried that Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited, Nigeria’s largest bus transportation company, has failed to provide the best value for money and safest bus hire service.
“The N1.3 billion project, intended to procure over 500 high-capacity buses for Federal Capital Territory routes, has failed to deliver desired services.
“The House is concerned that Abuja Metro rail, costing $824 million with 60% funding from China, which covers 290km in six phases, was commissioned in 2018, but is currently not operational.
“The House is also worried that millions of commuters face difficulties in commuting due to insufficient mass
transit vehicles, exposing them to dangers like harassment, kidnapping, and robbery, especially at high costs.
“The House is cognizant that primary purpose of government is ensuring citizen welfare, as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The House is desirous of providing Nigerians with efficient and affordable transport schemes to ameliorate the suffering as a result of the removal of subsidies on premium motor spirit (PMS) and its attendant high prices,” he noted.
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