Abuja Light Rail Rehabilitation Receives N29 Billion Allocation in Proposed FCT Budget

In the proposed FCT Statutory Budget totaling N1.15 trillion, N29 billion has been designated for the ongoing rehabilitation of the Abuja Light Rail project. This allocation forms part of the N726.3 billion allocated for capital expenditure in the proposed statutory budget, as disclosed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Wike presented these details during his budget presentation to the Senate and House Committees on FCT in Abuja on Monday.

Additionally, the Minister emphasized that apart from the N29 billion allocated for the Abuja Light Rail project, the proposed capital expenditure in the budget includes N500 billion for commercial loans to finalize certain ongoing projects in Abuja.

Moreover, N80 billion is earmarked for SUKUK loan projects, and N117.3 billion is allocated to complete ongoing capital projects and other counterpart-funded related projects in the capital city.

Extra insights

• Wike additionally identified that within the proposed capital expenditure, the transport sector was allotted the sum of N69 billion, out of which N32 billion is earmarked for the development of Bus Terminal Improvement at Kugbo, Jahi, and the Central Enterprise District. 

• Different crucial tasks to be executed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) within the 2024 FCT statutory finances proposal embrace the completion of roads B6 and B12, development of entry roads and automobile parks for the Abuja Gentle Rail, full scope improvement of roads N2 and N20.

• Extra capital-intensive tasks embrace the full-scope improvement of arterial roads N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway, the extension of Inside Southern Expressway from Southern Parkway (S8/S9) to Ring Street II, in addition to the full-scope improvement of Kuje Street from Airport Expressway to the Outer Southern Expressway with a spur at Kyami District, amongst others. 

What you must know concerning the Abuja Gentle Rail mission 

• In August 2023, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) introduced that an N5 billion contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Development Firm to rehabilitate the Abuja Gentle Rail. 
• The FCT Minister, Wike, has repeatedly talked about that the rehabilitation of the Abuja Gentle Rail could be accomplished in tin to be commissioned in Might 2024 to mark President Bola Tinubu’s one yr in workplace.
• Not too long ago, Nairametrics reported that Wike introduced that the rehabilitation of the Abuja Gentle Rail mission was 95% full, emphasising the potential of the Might 24 inauguration.
• The Abuja Gentle Rail is poised to decongest visitors within the capital metropolis residents within the capital metropolis when it turns into useful, Wike had earlier introduced.