Abuja mass rail transit 90% completed – Minister
The total percentage of progress so far made in the on-going Abuja mass rail transit project is put at 90 percent as most of the train stations are at the finishing stages.
The FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, said this Monday after the inspection tour of the project site and a train ride from the Continued from previous page
Elegbede, who called on the women of easy virtue to engage themselves in meaningful ventures pledge the readiness of the FCT Administration to train repentant commercial sex workers in various entrepreneurial skills.
When our reporters visited the Social Development Secretariat, which should have custody of the commercial sex workers, they admitted they do not have any inmates at the rehabilitation centre at the moment.
The Director, Social Welfare Services of the secretariat, Mrs Felicia Nwogu, who spoke on behalf of the acting secretary, said: “When the commercial sex workers were apprehended, the FCT management had already declared a zero tolerance for Abuja Metro Station behind the Abuja World Trade Centre at the Central Business District to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, in Abuja.
While speaking to journalists during the tour, the minister noted that there were about 13 railway bridges, 50 culverts, 15 flyover bridges and nine pedestrian overpass bridges that were all 100 percent completed.
Bello said the total length of the rail double track laid is 45.245 kilometres thereby making it 100 percent complete of the entire Lots 1A and 3.
“Out of the total 12 train stations under construction, 10 are at advanced stage with painting and installation of mechanical and electrical works currently in progress, while the remaining two being fast tracked, thereby making the entire stations 85 percent completed,” he said.
The minister stated that the locomotive and rolling stock depot is 85 percent complete, while communication as well as signalling are also 85 percent completed.
“The percentage progress of work on the power supply is however 20 percent but adequate progress would be achieved soon,” he said.
Bello reiterated that it is the desire of his administration to assuage the difficulties currently being experienced by commuters in the Federal Capital Territory and that is why rapid attention is given to the project.
The minister during the inspection tour directed that CCECC, the company handling the project, to ensure that qualified Nigerians not Chinese are employed for the management of the train service since about 1,000 personnel are expected to be employed.