FEC approves N272m for Abuja rail mass transit feasibility study

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N272 million for the award of contract for the feasibility study and conceptual design of Lots 4, 5 and 6 stations of the Abuja rail mass transit network.

Council, which was chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, gave the approval following a memo brought by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Federal Government had in August injected N10 billion for the completion of Abuja light rail project handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) with an assurance that the project would be completed in 2015.

The project is also jointly financed by the Federal Government and China EXIM Bank through a loan of $500 million commenced in 2009 and has attained 52.7 percent completion.

Briefing journalists after the weekly council meeting that lasted for just one hour, the FCT minister, Bala Mohammed, alongside the supervising minister of information, Nurudeen Mohammed, said the FCT rail mass transit system is designed primarily as a mover of people within and between the satellite towns and the different phases of the city.

Also, the Abuja rail system will be integrated with the planned national rail network.

There is a provision of N280,000, 000.00 in the 2014 FCT statutory appropriation for the project, he said.

The minister noted that the feasibility study was important as it will ensure that previous practices where contracts are awarded on the basis of conceptual design are not repeated.

According to a working document of the FEC, the projects upon completion will reduce traffic congestion, shorten journey distances and reduce pressure on existing public transport services. The project will also provide employment opportunities to about 5,000 skilled and unskilled workers while about 4,500 skilled workers will be engaged in the direct operation of the system on completion.

After due consideration, council approved the award of contract for the consultancy services for the feasibility study and conceptual design of Lots 4,5 and 6 of the Abuja rail mass transit network for the FCT in favour of Messrs Ladiom Associates in the sum of N272, 737, 710.00 with a completion period of 12 months.

Explaining further, the FCT minister said Lot 4 will carry passengers from Kuje to Karishi, Lot 5 from Kubwa to Bwari because there must be some provision for criss-crossing of passengers and commuters within the city, while Lot 6 will carry passengers from the airport to Kuje and Gwagwalada up to Dobe, a satellite town that is far of Gwagwalada.