For Nzenwo Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, his vision and mission to transform the landscape of FCT and Improve on its existing facilities is non- negotiable.
In the last 22 months of this administration in FCT, from the provision of infrastructures to social security and economic development of the nation’s capital had been his topmost priority.
His drive to address both economic and social security that is capable of ridden the FCT and it’s area councils of criminals and criminal elements led to the donation of about 80 different brands of vehicles free of charge to residents of the city, as part of empowerment program under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the current dispensation.
The plans to make Abuja a modern and model city through the provision of uniform shuttle vehicles , buses and other high capacity vehicles to protect pedestrians , shuttlers and workers within and outside the FCT became sacrosanct.
In line with his policy thrust, promises and resolutions, in October, 2024 , the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Nzenwo Wike provided 80 pieces of vehicles to assist and enhance movement of pedestrians across the city and area councils.
The vehicles consisting of 30 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), 30 7-seater Suzuki Minibuses, and 20 14-seater Hiace buses—would provide employment opportunities for the youth and also reduce the cost of transportation in the FCT to security of commuters.
The Minister added that the brand-new vehicles were being provided by the government at no cost to the beneficiaries from across the six Area Councils of the FCT, to give them a source of livelihood and urged the beneficiaries to utilise the vehicles for the purpose which they had been provided and intended.
“The FCT Minister said, “These are brand new vehicles, and they are not paying a dime. We are not saying pay the government any money. The government is saying this is our own support to make sure you have something to feed, to make sure you can support your family, and also to reduce the cost of transportation in the city.”
“Barr. Wike also disclosed that the vehicles would be used as a pilot scheme to gradually phase out tricycle operations in parts of the Abuja city centre, adding that more vehicles would also be procured to address possible shortages.”
While urging the public to disregard insinuation that ‘Keke’ will gradually be phased out of the nations city, he said rather than boosting the local economy , the present administration will not prevent residence from carrying out their lawful activities and means of living .
He said the new shuttle buses will be a graduation from were “Keke” will not be able to ply , so as to provide relief for different categories of FCT residents .
While convening the pilot scheme within Maitama, Asokoro, Guzape and other high brow areas were ‘Keke’ will no longer be in vogue, he promised to continue to create market for other alternative transportation in line with the lay down procedures.
The new brand vehicle policy was embarked to avoid both deliberate and government efforts not prone to sabotage from beneficiaries who may use the opportunity to delay users of the facilities on the road all in the name of ‘fairly use’ vehicle.
The provision of initial free 80 shuttle buses , will provide more affordable, cheap and secured transport system in the FCT and will gradually increase after the completion of terminals been constructed in the nation’s centre and it’s environs.
With these efforts, the activities of miscreants and criminals will be gradually reduced to the barest minimum through provision of jobs and employment opportunities to teeming Nigerians resident in the FCT.
*Abubakar Yusuf writes from Abuja, he can be reached on [email protected].
