Chinese Firm to Deliver Abuja Light Rail Project Next Year

• Chinese Firm to Deliver Abuja Light Rail Project Next Year

The Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) will complete the Abuja light rail project in the first quarter of next year, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mohammed Musa Bello, has said.

He said this yesterday after a tour of the workshop and the control and signal room of the rail project, Idu terminal.

The delegation was shown the extent of work by CCECC’s Managing Director, Jack Lee, during a ride on Lot 3 A track which runs from the Metro Station in Central Business District (CBD) to the new international wing currently under construction at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

The double track is about 45 kilometres in length and on completion, it will reduce vehicular traffic and fast-track the movement of people along the western corridor of the city.

While giving an assessment of work done, Bello declared the project was 90 per cent completed saying the rail, bridges, pedestrian overpasses, culverts and flyovers were 100 per cent completed.

“The Abuja light train project is on track. The rail tracks and bridges have been 100 per cent completed. Works are still ongoing at the terminal. They are also working on the locomotive and deport which is 85 percent complete. I am impressed, and for us in the administration, this project that will be finished in the first quarter of next year, will encourage the public to travel by rail,” Bello said.

The minister said the entire FCT rail master plan which is made up of 6 lots would connect the entire city to the railway network when completed and translate the city into a truly megacity.

He said shanties and settlements along the rail corridors and track shoulders that violate the federal capital’s master plan standard procedure would be removed.

Lee, who said the entire system, when completed, would offer employment for not less than 1,000 Nigerians, added that Idu Terminal was also designed to enable people with physical disability make use of the facility.