August 14, (THEWILL) — The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a total N142,028,576,008.17 for the construction of modern bus terminals in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the Council’s meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Minister, who explained that the contract has been awarded to Messrs Planet Project Limited, said the terminals will be sited in Abeokuta (South-West), Gombe (North-East), Kano (North-West), Lokoja (North-Central), Onitsha (South-East), and Ewu, Edo State (South-South).
According to the government, the project marks the first direct federal intervention in road transport infrastructure beyond road construction.
The selection of locations, the Minister said, was based on economic viability and the potential to boost regional connectivity. He said the absence of purpose-built bus terminals to serve millions of Nigerian commuters had contributed to increased crime, road traffic accidents, and the proliferation of arms and ammunition along the country’s highways.
“In spite of the significance of road transportation in Nigeria, there are no bus terminals that address the needs of millions of commuters. This has resulted in increased crime, road traffic accidents, and the spread of arms on our highways”, Alkali said.
The minister explained that the initiative, conceived by the Ministry of Transportation, is aimed at improving road safety, enhancing passenger comfort, and stimulating economic activities. He added that the proposal was brought before President Tinubu and the FEC for approval after a thorough assessment of its potential impact on national transportation and security.
When completed, the facilities are expected to improve passenger experience, enhance safety, and promote efficiency in Nigeria’s inter-city transport system.
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