The Nigerian government has approved N5.9 billion for the construction of access roads for the Abuja light rail system.
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made this known to State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike explained that the president has set a timeline for the completion of the Abuja light rail project, emphasising the importance of preparing the access roads to the railway station.
He said “Today council approved the award of a contract for the construction of access roads for the Abuja light rail. You are aware that Mr. President has given the directive that he wants to ride on the metro line.
“Now it will not be possible if there are no access roads to commuters in communities around.”
The minister said while the FG approved three road projects in last week’s meeting, Monday’s approval concerns LOT 4 for communities around the airport and Abuja Hajj Camp.
In a related development, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated N2 billion as restart capital to traders of the re-opened Maiduguri Central Market, popularly known as “Monday Market” which was gutted by fire in February.
Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Alkali, announced the donation on Monday in Maiduguri during a courtesy call on Governor Babagana Zulum by the newly- constituted board of the commission.
Mr Alkali lauded Mr Zulum for rehabilitating the completely burnt market within the shortest possible time, adding that NEDC, on its part, had provided the N2b support to the traders who lost their goods to the unfortunate incident.
The governor, who lauded the commission for its numerous interventions in the state, urged it to concentrate on projects like roads, education, renewable energy and agriculture in the zone.
