The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has inspected the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) System rehabilitation project as his first official assignment.

Mr Wike told journalists during a visit to the ARMT Metro Station in Abuja that the measure was part of his resolve to address challenges affecting public transportation in the FCT.

According to him, transportation is one of the sectors he intends to transform quickly in the capital city.

He noted that while many other projects were not completed, people would have confidence in the one that was completed and working.

Mr Wike stressed that beginning another rail project was not a good idea while the finished one remained unusable.

He told the management of CCECC Nig. Ltd, the construction company handling the projects, to deliver quality projects.

After a train ride from the metro station to the airport and Idu stations to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation project of the rail system, the minister described it as a “good project.”

He added that if completed, it would significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city.

“The money for the rehabilitation is on ground, and I have already directed the Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration, Adesola Olusade, to make sure that the contractor is paid,” Mr Wike said.

Earlier, the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, said assessing the problems affecting rail transport and finding ways to address them would help put the system to public use.

The permanent secretary had earlier noted that Mr Wike was known to many as a ‘Mr project’, adding that it was not surprising that his first assignment outside the office was a visit to a project site.

Mr Olusade explained that the ARMT system was challenged by massive vandalisation of rail infrastructure during the COVID-19 lockdown, adding that private security companies have been engaged to salvage the situation.

Also, the Director of Transportation, FCTA, Joseph Akinteye, explained that the ARMT system rehabilitation project consists of Lots 1 A and 3 and spans 45.245 kilometres (km).

(NAN)