President Bola Tinubu has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, that his administration is tackling the menace of ‘one-chance’ criminals with reforms in public transport infrastructure.
Tinubu gave the assurance during the inauguration of the Kugbo Bus Terminal in Abuja on Thursday.
The president was represented at the event by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
“We heard your concerns, we understood your fears, and we acted. With your compliance, you will no longer suffer from one chance by the roadside,” he said.
Tinubu stated that the newly built terminal, along with the earlier commissioned Mabushi terminal, would end chaotic public transport in the capital.
He said, “You will all agree with me that the Mabushi and Kugbo International Bus Terminals meet with global practices, meet with global principles of sustainable urban development in the area of transportation, and automatically erase ugly experiences of chaotic public transportation in our capital city, previously fraught but long with challenges.
“The terminals align with the development goals of transit-orientated cities, smart mobility, compact living spaces, parking management, the willing support of stakeholders and citizens, and ultimately transforming lives.”
He said the construction of the terminals was part of his “solemn promise” through his Renewed Hope Agenda to revitalise the country’s infrastructure and entrench security and efficiency, which were becoming a reality.
“The decision of my administration to prioritise high-impact transportation infrastructure, among which is this bus and taxi terminal, is premised on the undeniable fact that no nation—no nation—around the world has been recorded to have made any noticeable progress without modernisation and expansion of its critical public mobility and public utilities,” he said.
Tinubu praised the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for his efficient use of public monies and thanked the National Assembly for its support.
In his address, the FCT Minister thanked the President for his support, stressing that the terminal will be administered by private individuals rather than the government through the transport secretariat, who will ensure adequate upkeep.
“Mr President, I want to say, you know, government is not a good business person. This will not be run by the transport secretariat, no. It will be managed by private persons who have the idea to run this kind of business, and they pay us revenue.
“It will be manned by private people so that we can talk about how it will be sustained. Because if you allow the government, civil servants, or politicians to do this, I can tell you, in two weeks time, it will die,” Wike said.
