Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, says the three Bus and Taxi Terminals constructed by the FCT Administration, FCTA, will begin operation once approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
Mr Wike gave the assurance after he inspected some ongoing road projects in Abuja on Thursday.
Recall that the FCT Administration in 2024 began the construction of three bus terminals one each in Kugbo, Mabushi and Central Business District (CBD) at N51 billion.
The Kugbo and Mabushi terminals have been completed and inaugurated in June 2025 to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in office, while the one in CBD is at the completion stage.
However, the completed terminals have remained un-operational since inauguration in June 2025.
The Minister explained that the terminals have not taken off because the qualified operators must be approved by FEC, adding that the contract was beyond ministerial approval.
He said that the procurement process had successfully passed through the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP.
“After building the terminals we said we are not going to allow the Transport Secretariat to run it. It will be handled by private individuals who have the competence.
“It’s not as easy as we thought. It requires FEC’s approval, but I am confident that in the next FEC, the contracts will be presented for approval.
“So, we believe in the next FEC meeting it will be approved and once that is done, then. we will hit the road,” he said.
Mr Wike had disclosed during the inauguration of the completed terminals that additional terminals would be constructed in Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kuje.
He explained that the bus and taxi terminals mark a significant milestone in FCTA’s efforts to modernise transportation infrastructure in the territory.
Mr Wike added that the FCTA was also addressing the issue of indiscriminate parking on the roads.
According to him, the terminal will provide a safe and organised space for vehicles to park, thereby reducing congestion on the roads.
Also, Biodun Otunola, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Planet Project Ltd, had explained that the Kugbo and Mabushi terminals were designed to process more than 10,000 passengers each, daily.
Mr Otunola added that the terminals were also designed to accommodate 120 buses and taxis each, daily, for both intercity and intra-city travels.
He, however, said that the terminal under construction in the CBD was different, adding that it was essentially designed for intra-city operations.
On job opportunities, Otunola said that each of the three terminals would employ at least 100 persons.
He explained that people would be in the security department, some in the ticketing department, others in facility management, control room, electrical department, mechanical department, maintenance department, and bus control.
“It’s very huge. It’s like running a mini airport,” he said.
He, however, said that based on needs assessment, the FCT would need at least 12 bus and taxi terminals to cover significant parts of the territory.
“We will need one in Gwagwalada, one in Kuje in Gwarinpa, and Lugbe, including the city centre in places like Area 1, Area 3 in Garki, Wuse and other strategic locations,” he said.
NAN