Favour Ishember, Abuja
The construction of three bus and taxi terminals in Abuja by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, has created over 3,000 jobs for residents, providing a significant boost to the local economy.
The project, which began in July 2024, aims to provide a secure and convenient travel experience for commuters in the FCT while creating job opportunities for residents.
The three terminals, located in Mabushi, Central Area, and Kugbo, are being constructed by Planet Projects, a company that has employed a mix of skilled, unskilled artisans, and security personnel, comprising mostly FCT residents.
According to Mr. Rasheed Sholadoye, the Project Manager, the company was mandated to employ residents as part of the FCT Administration’s strategy for job creation.
“FCT residents have enjoyed enormously from this project. We have employed a whole lot of them.
“You know it’s a construction site and certain workers will be needed at certain stages of the construction.
“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.
He explained that ,While the construction of the bus terminals in Mabushi and Kugbo commenced in July 2024, the Central Area terminal began two months later due to the relocation of underground facilities near Eagle Square. Despite the delay, the project manager is optimistic that the terminals will be completed on schedule.
“Hopefully with our schedule and programme of work, by the grace of God, the terminals in Mabushi and Kubo will be ready for inauguration by the end of February.
“On the other hand, the one in Central Area will be ready in May.
“The projects are all encompassing with commercial activities in all the terminals, including cinema halls, where people can relax while waiting for their bus.
“We are bringing state of the art facilities, especially the one in Central Area. It will be a terminal that the people of Abuja will love to see and enjoy,” he said.
The project Manager said, progress of the project is impressive, with the Mabushi bus terminal reaching 92% completion, Kugbo at 85%, and Central Area at 50%. The terminals are expected to be inaugurated by the end of February for Mabushi and Kugbo, and May for Central Area.
The workers at the sites have expressed gratitude to Wike for providing them with stable jobs, significantly improving their standard of living. The project has not only created jobs but also provided a sense of hope and optimism for the residents of Abuja.
Some of the workers at the sites, who lauded the initiative, thanked Wike for putting food on their table.
One of them, a 29-year-old welder, Mr Happiness Johnson, who lives in Kubwa, said the project has provided him with a stable job.
Johnson, who thanked Wike for mandating the contractor to employ residents, said that the steady means of income has significantly improved his standard of living.
On her part, a 31-year-old mother of four, Mrs Abigail Daniel, a cleaner at the Mabushi terminal, expressed optimism for a brighter future as a worker in the facility.
Daniel said she was working as a house help but lost the job when her employer travelled out of the country.
“Life was difficult for me and my children until I got this job. I am grateful to the FCT minister for making this happen for me,” she said.
