The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Transportation Secretariat has revealed plans to begin construction of a 5.76 km rail track in the nation’s capital.

The Mandate Secretary for the secretariat, Zakari Dobi, made the disclosure when he inspected the vandalised Abuja Light Rail Track, Station and Idu Training Centre on Monday in Abuja.

Mr Dobi explained that the secretariat was working assiduously to go back to site for the construction of the 5.76 km rail track and fixing of the vandalised areas of the track.

According to him, the total bill for embarking on the construction of the rail track as approved is $272 million.

He said that the bill for the construction of the rail track was before the FCTA Permanent Secretary on its way to the FCT minister’s table.

He expressed optimism that the minister, who had been so much concerned about the Abuja Light Rail would quickly return the file.

“Two things informed this outing. Firstly, to be able to again evaluate and assess the level of vandalisation on the track.

“Secondly, to also look at the Training Centre at Idu Rail Station with a view to being able to relocate some departments of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Transportation Secretariat due to challenges of office spaces in Area 11.

“What we saw was quite bad even though when I assumed office, I have been briefed about the issue of vandalisation.

“We have intention to go back to site for the construction of a 5.76 km rail track in Abuja. The cost of the construction of also fixing the vandalised areas.

“We have seen some of the fresh areas that were vandalised and I want to believe that the projection made earlier on fixing the vandalised areas will still accommodate what we saw.”

He said that the vandalisation occurred as a result of lack of operation, adding that if operation was on constantly, it would reduce the level of vandalisation.

He assured that the FCTA would fix all the vandalised areas to ensure proper utilisation of the already completed areas with the four Diesel Multiple Units on ground to put an end to vandalisation.

“We are going to look at issues to see if we can come up with possible ways on how to stop the vandalisation completely but I do know that the first thing to do is to resume operation.”

(NAN)