Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said the construction of Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal would eliminate`one chance’ syndrome in Abuja.
Wike said the Mabushi and other terminals yet to be commissioned would enhance security by reducing the number of vehicles on the road.
He spoke during the commissioning of the newly constructed Mabushi bus terminal in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Minister said three additional bus and taxi terminals would be constructed, with one each in Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kuje in 2025.
Wike said: “We are trying to eliminate the `one chance’ syndrome where commuters are vulnerable to attacks by unknown drivers.”
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Transportation, Said Alkali, applauded his FCT counterpart for the completion of the project, which he described as a “landmark achievement.”
Alkali said the terminals when fully functional will enhance economic activities and boost transportation across the capital city.
He said: “It will also provide veritable avenue that will facilitate the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which placed transportation on top of its priorities.”
The Minister charged stakeholders in the transport sector to maximise the potential of the terminal which would encourage government to do more for the welfare of the people.
He also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the construction of six bus terminals, one in each of the geopolitical zones across Nigeria.
Alkali said the terminals would be constructed in Abeokuta, Ogun State (South West; Onitsha in Anambra State (South East); Warri in Delta State (South-South); Lokoja in Kogi State (North Central); Gombe in Gombe State (North East); and Kano in Kano State (North West).
In a similar vein, the FCT Transportation Mandate Secretary, Chinedum Elechi, was full of praises to the Minister, stressing that the bus and taxi terminal is the “first of its kind” in the FCT.
When fully functional, Elechi said the terminal will operate 24 hours for both intercity and intracity transportation, adding that it’s packed State of the art facilities.
On security measures around the facility, Elechi said 45 closed-circuit television cameras have been installed in strategic locations.
