Wike moves to restore $824 million Abuja rail transit abandoned by Buhari

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said his administration will instantly begin to revive the abandoned Abuja light rail system and get it working in a few months.

He disclosed this during his inspection of the rail and the rail stations as he lamented the state of the infrastructure.

Rail system commissioned and abandoned by Buhari's administration

Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the Abuja Rail Transit in July 2018, but it failed to take off.

The project was initially designed to resolve the transportation challenges in the FCT and its neighbouring towns and cities but has yet to function.

The rail project was also expected to generate revenue for Nigeria’s government but has not.

The former Rivers State governor said the project would reduce traffic in Abuja and ease the high transport cost, as petrol subsidy removal affects most of Nigeria, stating that he plans mass transportation as his short-term goal for Abuja residents.

The new minister said he would provide funds to enable contractors to return to work and focus on completing routes connecting high-traffic areas in the city.