By Henry Umoru
MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Senator The FCT Executive Committee (EXCO) has approved the sum of N92,225,821.86 to M/S CPCS Transcom for the extra work on Abuja Mass Transit Network.

According to the Minister, the additional work of 36.7km route design track line was due to the review of the Central Business District and the Abuja North-West Phase IV of the Abuja Master Plan, adding that the FCT Administration was also seeking assistance from the World Bank and the African Development Bank on the actualization of effective transportation system in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking on Tuesday at the end of Bi-Weekly meeting held at Gwarinpa I District (Life-Camp), Abuja, Senator Mohammed disclosed  that the contractor has concluded its consultancy services contract on the feasibility study and conceptual design of lots 1, 2, & 3 of the Abuja Mass Transit Network.

According to him, the FCT Transportation Secretariat has initiated the immediate procurement of lots 2 through the Public-Private-Partnership arrangement in order to complement the on-going lots 1 & 3 of the FCT Rail Network to ease traffic congestion along Nyanya/Karu axis.

“This is in addition to the procurement of operation’s concessionaire for the on-going lots 1 & 3 as well as immediate procurement of lots 4, 5 & 6 of the Abuja Rail Network by the FCT Transportation Secretariat,” the Minister added.

Senator Mohammed remarked that the consultanc will surely assist the FCT Administration in the development of a mass transit system that will meet the highest international standard of technical excellence, adding that this will also facilitate efficient operation and management of the private sector with broad, economic, social and political acceptance.

Senator Mohammed promised that the FCT Administration will not leave any stone unturned in improving the transportation network of the Federal Capital Territory, adding that traffic bottlenecks being experienced in some areas of the Federal Capital City at peak hours is of great concern to the authorities.