Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has announced a two-month period of free train rides for residents of Abuja.

This initiative is part of the celebrations marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's first year in office.

Speaking at the Ministerial Sectoral Updates on Thursday, May 23, 2024, Wike shared his vision for Abuja's infrastructure, aiming to rival global cities in terms of its road network by next year.

The minister attributed recent developments in the FCT to President Tinubu's decision to exempt the territory from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which has significantly advanced the region's progress.

Wike also disclosed that President Tinubu is set to inaugurate the commercial operations of the Abuja metro line, emphasizing that previous ceremonies were for buildings rather than the operational aspect of the metro system.

“We are not talking of commissioning buildings but the commercial operation.

“There were no access roads to the stations which impeded the operation of the metro line.

“The President will ride on the metro line on Monday, 27th May; it will be your turn, Nigerians, as from Tuesday.

“And there will be free rides for two months, to reduce the pain on our people, that is what is called Renewed Hope Agenda,” Wike stated.

He highlighted the government's focus on improving infrastructure, security, and education within the FCT.

Wike recounted the challenges faced before, including security concerns, and outlined the measures taken to address them, such as the construction of access roads and provision of logistics for security agencies.

He also touched upon the advancements in the civil service structure, noting the implementation of a law passed in 2018 that has enabled civil servants to progress beyond the director level.

“How was Abuja before? Every day was kidnapping, one chance and all of that.

“But when we came on board, we visited the 6 Area Councils and interacted with the people. They said there were no roads, security agencies had no access roads.

“We took it up from there and all the Area Councils can attest to the fact that by December this year, we will commission up to 120 kilometres of roads.

“We have also provided security agencies with all the logistics they need, it’s not like before. The moment they want to go for an operation, logistics are made available.

“You can now sleep with your two eyes closed; even though no society is 100 percent crime-free, but is the situation different? Yes, you can attest to the fact that it is no longer what it used to be,” he disclosed.

He added that, “the civil servants were not in a position to put in their best; they could not grow in rank; they were stagnated at the director level.

“When we came in, we looked at the law passed and assented to in 2018; we wrote the President and he approved the immediate implementation of that law.

“Today, we have the FCT Civil Service Commission, Permanent Secretary, and Head of Service of FCT; so, they have hope now. As far as structure is concerned, Mr President has given them that hope.

“In the area of education, over 19 schools are being rehabilitated,” as quoted by DailyPost," he added.

The minister concluded by mentioning the ongoing rehabilitation of over 19 schools, reflecting the administration's commitment to education.

The briefing was attended by several ministers, including the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike; Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Ibrahim Bio; Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu; Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmud; Minister of State Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande.