Posted by Anule Emmanuel on
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has started the importation of large buses worth N6 billion for the take off of the planned mass transportation system in Abuja.....
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has started the importation of large buses worth N6 billion for the take off of the planned mass transportation system in Abuja. The purchase of the buses which is a partnership arrangement between the administration and Sigwa motors, a private transportation company in the country, is geared towards addressing transportation problems in the city.
Dr. Wilson-Odunmbaku, secretary of Transport secretariat in the FCTA, said at the weekend in Abuja that a total of 450 buses would be supplied by three transportation companies approved by the administration for the success of the scheme. The two other companies are Nationwide Unity Transport Limited (NUTL) and Sunny Global Transport Limited (SGTL).
According to Odunmbaku, 22 buses have been purchased by the FCTA at the cost of N330million.from Egypt for the first phase of the joint venture with Sigwa Transport Limited. NUTL had earlier imported about 61 similar large buses from Comil, a Brazilian manufacturing company. The arrangement is that each of the companies will supply a total of 150 buses, while the FCTA would play the role of a regulator, he added.
He said the partnership between the FCTA and Sigwa is intended to reposition the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (UTMCO) for effective service delivery of transportation services to residents of Abuja. The buses imported by both NUTL and the NUTL as well as the other two companies have a capacity of 90 passengers with 49 standing and 49 seated.
While commenting on roads where the buses would ply in the city, he said the administration has designated roots to all the companies cutting across Gwagwalada, the city center and the northern expressway. The final commencement of operation by these companies will lead to the phase out of all other bus commuters and Okada riders in the city to ease traffic congestion.
"We are going to play a vital role as a regulatory body to ensure that all the companies charge fares that are relatively low and uniform as well. This will help residents of the city especially civil servants who have cars to preserve their cars better," he assured.