By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: As part of measures to enhance security and make commuting easier for residents, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike has vowed sweeping reforms in the transportation sector.

Speaking on Friday ahead of the commissioning of bus terminals in the territory, the minister said there is already a committee working in that regard.

He said; “Obviously, a lot of things will happen in the transport sector. There will be a lot of reforms. In fact, the committee is working. Before we get to even commissioning, we will come up with our transport sector reforms. Because we have said, as part of security measures, we must know those who are involved in doing taxi business, and what colour, so that if anything happens, we will be able to identify everyone.

“So, just be assured that we are doing everything possible. This time around, we are working to see that we don’t have a lot of parks on the road and that is why you see, when I told the contractor, what should be here is bus and taxi, not just only bus terminals, so that those who come to the bus terminals will board the taxis from there and go wherever they want to go”.

The minister who commended the local contractors for a job well done, also lamented that some people have so degenerated that they would criticize the government for building motor parks even when they go to other countries and see how things are done.

“Some people, critics, will say what is wrong with them, they want to build a motor park. You see how we degenerate. As far as I am concerned, I am very happy, I commend the local contractor, who has put in his best. We will continue to support them, so we can get the best from Nigerians too. So, we are happy, we are happy with what we have seen”, he said.

Also speaking, former Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Wike as FCT minister, saying he (Ortom) had recently have to ask for a guide to access some places in the territory because of the rapidly changing landscape.

“Mr President is looking beyond party affiliation. That is why he brought my friend and leader, Minister Nyesom Wike, to be Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. This is strategic partnership, and all of us have to support him, because if we don’t have a country, we cannot in any way have a nation.

“So, I want to appeal to our people to please join hands and try to see that these challenges that we have, let us work together as a team to ensure that we overcome the security challenges that face us, overcome the economic challenges that we have. There are reforms that are being carried out. Let us join hands with him and the National Assembly and other Nigerians to ensure that we have success, to ensure that we are like other countries.

“I have gone around. I have seen Kugbo. I have seen Mabushi bus terminal. This is what we see abroad for decades. We have not seen this in Nigeria. We are seeing this today in Abuja, our own country, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Let us ensure that we work to have more dividends and more progress done in this respect. I think Mr. President means well. Let us leave politics aside and join hands with him to ensure that we are not distracting him about 2027 and so on. Let us work together with him, because he means well.

“If Mr. President was a partisan man, he would not bring my friend in. There are several other people that he has brought on board who are not members of the APC, but who he feels can add value to the development of our country. That is what a true leader should look at. I commend Mr President. I commend my friend for not disappointing us, for making us proud”, said Dr Ortom.