The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has fumed over the allocation of land meant for a bus terminal in the Central Business District, Abuja.
Mr Wike, who made the complaint at the inauguration of the construction of Mabushi Bus Terminal, Phase I, in Abuja, described the action as a gross distortion of the Abuja Master Plan.
He explained that FCTA decided to build three terminals, one each in the Central Business District, Mabushi, and Kugbo, to ensure a secure and convenient travel experience for commuters in FCT.
The minister, however, said the land designated for the bus terminal in the Central Business District, where a train track was expected to pass through, had been allocated to somebody.
“When we went there to start preparation for the inauguration project last Tuesday, I received a text that I had taken somebody’s land, and I was surprised.
“In fact, in that text message, the person said, after his sacrifices and inputs to the party, is this what he will suffer?
“When I inquired, we found out that the place has been given out and a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) has been signed; even a consent judgement has been entered between FCTA and the person,” he said.
He explained that he directed that the Mabushi location be used for the inauguration of the terminal project, pending the resolution of the issue.
“This is just to let people know some of the things we face and how the master plan of FCT has been distorted.
“When you want to make a decision, so many people will be angry, and when you are complaining, they won’t come with sincere facts; they will come with distorted facts,” he said.
The minister said Abuja was supposed to be one of the best cities in the world but lacked the necessary infrastructure to be a first-class city.
He pointed out that a city like Abuja does not have bus and taxi terminals, forcing people to take buses and taxis all over the place.
According to him, this contributes to the level of insecurity in the territory, including the proliferation of “one chance” criminal elements.
He explained that the construction of the bus and taxi terminals was part of efforts to reduce the level of insecurity under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
In her remarks, Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State, FCT, described the bus terminal project as a journey towards a more connected and efficient Abuja.
Inaugurating the project, Tajudeen Abass, speaker of the House of Representatives, described the construction of the Mabushi Bus Terminal as a critical step towards enhancing transportation infrastructure in the FCT.
Mr Abass argued that the project, when completed, would enable residents to commute safely and efficiently.