
FCT EXCO Seeks To Secure Abuja Rail Further, Approves Contract Renewal & Awards Contract For Two Multi-Event Sports Centers At Key City Sites
The contracts for two companies to protect the Abuja rail tracks and stations for a further two years have been authorized by the Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee, or FCT EXCO.
During a briefing following the FCT EXCO meeting on Monday, December 23, 2024, in Abuja, Dr. Chinedum Elechi, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, revealed this.
In March 2022, the FCT Administration gave contracts to two companies to secure all 12 stations and the lines of the rail mass transport network.
The action was taken in response to the Abuja metro line being vandalized during the COVID-19 lockdown, which caused operations to be suspended.
According to Dr. Elechi, the purpose of the contract renewal is to prevent vandalism at the metro stations and train tracks.
“The FCT Administration recognized the necessity at the time to use civil security companies as the lead security organizations, with the regular security agencies playing a supporting role,” he added, following the awarding of a contract worth billions of naira for the rehabilitation of the vandalism.
Two security firms were thus given contracts at that time in 2022: Lot 3 (the rail line connecting the Metro to the Airport) and Lot 1A (the route from Idu to Kubwa).
The amount of vandalism on the line drastically decreased as a result of those contracts and the surveillance that was made available. As you may remember, we began full commercial operations following the flag-off in May 2024, and the contract just ended.
Therefore, the rail line contract needs to be renewed because it involves costly equipment. During his term and beyond, the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory hopes that the Abuja Rail Mass Transit will operate completely and effectively.
The contract is crucial for security since even one damaged cable can create long-term disruptions to operations. The contract has to be extended from 2024 to 2026 for this reason.
The FCT EXCO reviewed and approved the awarding of contracts for the development of two multi-event sports centers at key sites in the city, according to Richard Yunana Dauda, FCDA’s Acting Executive Secretary, who also spoke to reporters following the meeting.
When finished, he said, the two sports centers will feature a variety of sports amenities, such as indoor sports facilities, lawn tennis, table tennis, and football fields.
All inhabitants would have access to the sporting facilities, he continued, and they would support the Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting the physical and emotional health of the populace.
When they are finished, he stated, “all citizens will be able to participate and make sure they are properly utilized for the benefit of the people.”
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