Abuja residents are to enjoy free ride on the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) which was inaugurated yesterday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu till the end of the year.
The President said he had pleaded with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike to extend the promised two-month free ride period till December.
“Our dear landlord and his team had initially proposed two months of free ride. However, I appealed to extend this until the end of the year, providing the people with hope and reason to celebrate,” Tinubu announced during the inauguration.
After taking a symbolic ride on the Abuja Metroline, the president said the timely delivery of the project demonstrated his administration’s commitment to revolutionalise Nigeria’s transportation sector.
He said: “The re-commencement of this project is a dream come-through for this administration. Today, what we have in the FCT is another piece of evidence that we are a government that delivers on promises. I observe keenly other milestones that this administration has achieved especially in the areas of social services and other public utilities.
“Abuja light rail metro stands as a symbol of progress, connectivity, inclusivity and it signifies our determination to modernise our transportation infrastructure.”
Applauding the Wike-led FCTA, the president affirmed that the minister has demonstrated unusual capacity to include the people in the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).
He said that transportation gives hope and access to various individuals and organisations, he added that the construction of access roads to the various stations by the Minister of the FCT are the evidences of true service to the Nigerian people.
Tinubu said the essence of the rehabilitated metroline rail system is to reduce traffic congestion in the FCT and enhance accessibility to residents, visitors within and outside the city.
Wike, who described the launch as a promise fulfilled, added that the coming into operation of the ARMT system confirmed of the reality of the President’s (RHA).
He said: “What is renewed hope agenda? It is giving back hope to the people, so, it is a reality. What we have seen today is a reality. People will now be happy that they can come to the city and go back using the train.
“So, when we talk about renewed hope, it appears as if it is a mere talk; it is a reality. I want to use Abuja to showcase that the renewed hope is real; it is working and is practical.
