The Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee, FCT EXCO, has approved the renewal of contracts for two firms to secure the Abuja rail tracks and stations for another two years.
This was disclosed by the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Transportation Secretariat, Dr Chinedum Elechi, during a briefing after the FCT EXCO meeting on Monday, December 23, 2024, in Abuja.
The FCT Administration awarded contracts to two firms in March 2022 to provide security for the entire rail mass transit scheme’s tracks, including 12 stations.
The move followed the vandalisation of the Abuja metro line during the COVID-19 lockdown, which led to the suspension of operations.
Dr Elechi said the contract renewal is to safeguard the rail tracks and metro stations against vandalism.
He said: “The FCT Administration, after having awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of the vandalisation, running into billions of naira, saw the need at the time to employ civil security companies as the lead security organisations, with the regular security agencies playing a supporting role.
“So, at that time in 2022, two security companies were awarded contracts—one for Lot 1A, which is from Idu to Kubwa, and Lot 3, which is the rail line from Metro to the Airport.
“Because of those contracts and the surveillance provided, the Vandalisation on the line dropped dramatically. The contract has just expired, and as you will recall, we started full commercial operations after the flag-off in May 2024.
“So, there is a need to renew the contract for the rail line because this involves expensive equipment. The Hon Minister of FCT intends for the Abuja Rail Mass Transit to run fully and thoroughly throughout his tenure and even beyond.
“The contract is important for security because if a single cable is vandalised, it will distort operations for a long time. That is why it became imperative to renew the contract from 2024 to 2026.”
Also addressing journalists after the meeting, the Acting Executive Secretary of FCDA, Richard Yunana Dauda, disclosed that the FCT EXCO considered and approved the award of contracts for the development of two multi-event sports centres at strategic locations in the city.
He said the two sports centres, when fully developed, will have several sports facilities, including football pitches, lawn tennis, table tennis, and indoor sports facilities.
He added that the sports centres would be available to all residents and cater to the people’s physical and mental well-being in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said: “When fully developed, they will be available and open to all citizens to partake in and ensure that they are well utilised for the well-being of the people.”
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