By Remi Johnson
Residents in the Federal Capital Territory, mostly artisans have attested to the fact that the ongoing construction of three bus terminals in Abuja by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, has been putting food on their tables.
Some youths engaged in the course of the construction made this known to members of FCT Minister’s Press Corps when they visited the sites to ascertain level of work been done in Kugbo, Central Area and Mabushi Bus Terminals in Abuja.
In an interview, some of the artisans, working in Mabushi bus terminal, Mr Aliyu Ibrahim, a welder – Mr Happiness Johnson, and Mrs Abigail Daniel, a cleaner said the job has been putting food on their tables and had improved livelihoods of many residents engaged to work in the ongoing 3 Bus terminals across the territory.
Mr Aliyu explained that he earn weekly payment from the company handling the project, which have assisted him to meet his daily needs.
” since I started work in the bus terminal last year, I don’t worry about food again. The company pays me weekly.I am very happy these days because anytime I wake up I have where to go and work, not just the work but have something to take home.
“The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike should Keep the good work, if not because of him we would not have this project that is providing food for me”
Another artisan, Aliyu Mohammed testified that he could now pay his children schools fees and other home needs with ease, since he got engaged.
“Before the coming of the project I was jobless but I am always busy these days because of the work. The money I raised from here help me to pay my children’s school fees, and buy clothes for my wife” Mohammed said.
Speaking on the level of work done so far, the Project Manager, Planet Projects, Mr. Rasheed Sholadoye disclosed that Mabushi bus terminal has attained 92℅ completion, Kugbo 85% completion while that of Central Area is 50% completion with over 3,000 Abuja residents gainfully employed .
Sholadoye explained that part of the conditions in the contract was for the company to employ residents in the executing of the project as part of FCT Administration’s strategy for job creation.
The Mabushi and Kugbo bus terminals which started in July 2024 and the Central Area in September 2024 are all expected to be delivered for commissioning before the end of May 2025.
“It’s difficult to give you an exact number but more than 3,000 residents have been engaged and more will be employed as the work progresses,” he said.
Some Transport Union Leaders in Jabi Park comprising Mr Patrick Enyiako, Financial Secretary Association Of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria Jabi and Edani Vincent Chienerie, commended Wike for championing the Bus Terminals initiative, which they said will stem the tide of one chance operators in Abuja and enhance orderliness in the transportation sector.
Recall that the construction of the three bus terminals was flagged off by the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike in 2024.