During the annual conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu addressed Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), with a unique request. Declining any offer of free land, President Tinubu urged Wike to prioritize delivering the Abuja metroline for the benefit of the city and its residents.

Affectionately referring to Wike as the “landlord of Abuja,” President Tinubu expressed his desire to utilize the metroline, while emphasizing that he did not require free land. Instead, he urged Wike to focus on completing the metroline project to positively impact a larger segment of the Nigerian population.

Wike, a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was among the 45 ministers appointed by President Tinubu. The Abuja rail mass transit (ARMT) project, developed in multiple phases and funded with loans from the China EXIM Bank, holds the potential to alleviate traffic congestion in the city once operational.

Acknowledging the challenges that have hindered the rail system’s functionality, Wike conducted an inspection tour and expressed his commitment to addressing issues affecting public transportation in the FCT. He envisioned that the completion of the rail system would significantly contribute to reducing traffic congestion and improving transportation for the citizens.

Source: The Cable