SURE-P supports Abuja light rail project with N10bn

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The Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, Gen. Martin-Luther Agwai (rtd), on Saturday in Abuja said the programme would support the completion of Abuja light rail project with N10 billion.

Agwai made this known while briefing newsmen after an inspection tour of the project.

He expressed satisfaction with the engineering design of the project and commended the Transport Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory for the effort.

He explained that SURE-P’s support of the project was to ensure its speedy completion, saying that the rail line would reduce the burden on road transport system and enhance economic and social activities in the country.

Earlier, Mr. Kashim Ali, the Director, Special Program Implementation Unit of SURE-P in the FCT, said that contract for the light rail project was awarded in 2009 to CCECC Nigeria Limited at the cost of N106 billion.

Ali said that work on the project was delayed due to paucity of funds for about three years, adding however, that it had attained 52.7 per cent completion and would be completed at the end of 2015.

He said that the project was being jointly funded by the Federal Government and EXIM Bank of China, with the Chinese bank providing a concessional loan of 500 million Dollars.

“From the EXIM Bank loan we have spent about 249 million dollars and from the Federal Government, we have spent 162 million dollars,” he said.

He added that the rail line was 45.24 kilometres from the Central Area to Airport Road in Abuja, while the entire network of the project comprising six lots, covered a length of about 300 kilometres.

“What we are doing now is 45.24 kilometers. The Lot 3 takes off from the Central Business District around where you have the NNPC Mega station.

“That is the Metro Station and runs all the way through Idu to the Airport.

“Then Lot 1A takes off from Idu to Kubwa and terminates at Bazango station,” Ali said.

He said that when completed, the light rail, which would be a mass transit system, would have 12 stations and well furnished modern coaches with air conditioners.