The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Planet Project Ltd, Mr. Biodun Otunola, says the newly built Kugbo and Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminals in Abuja can serve over 20,000 passengers every day.
Otunola made this known on Thursday during the official opening of the Kugbo terminal by President Bola Tinubu as part of activities marking his second year in office.
“We can take over 120 buses here and we’ve designed this place such that it can handle up to 10,000 passengers every day. It’s the same thing with the one in Mabushi as well,” he said
He explained that both terminals are built for both inter-city and within-city (intracity) transportation, while a third terminal still under construction in the Central Business District (CBD) is focused mainly on city transport.
Otunola speaking on job creation said each terminal will provide employment to at least 100 people in areas such as security, ticketing, facility management, electrical and mechanical departments, and maintenance.
“It’s like running a mini airport. You have control rooms, lifts, escalators, waiting areas, loading bays, and even shopping and cinema spaces.”
Otunola described the new terminals as a big step forward in Abuja’s transport system.
“Before now, Abuja has always been about car and road transportation. For the first time, the government has invested in public transport that brings comfort and safety.”
“This place gives you safety, comfort, and convenience to travel. You can eat, shop, and rest while waiting for your bus. This is how it is done in other parts of the world.”
Otunola praised President Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for trusting a Nigerian company to handle the project.
“I feel very happy and proud that the government is beginning to trust its own people to handle big projects like this. If they didn’t believe in us, we wouldn’t have achieved this.”
He also supported Wike’s decision to allow private companies to manage the terminals for better service delivery.
However, Otunola said more terminals are needed to properly serve Abuja residents. “We will need one in Gwagwalada, one in Kuje, Gwarinpa, Lugbe, and also in city areas like Area 1, Area 3, Wuse, and other key places,” he said.
President Tinubu, who was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the terminals would boost business, improve order, and make commuting safer and more comfortable.
In his remarks, FCT Minister Wike said the terminals will stop people from waiting by the roadside and falling into the hands of “one chance” criminals.
He thanked President Tinubu for supporting efforts to modernize public transport in the capital city.
