By Daniel Tyokua
Some youths engaged in the ongoing construction of three bus terminal in Abuja, have said the work had improved their livelihoods, making them to eat well.
The workers, mostly young artisans stated this while fielding questions from members of FCT Minister’s Press Corps who visited the sites at the weekend in Kugbo, Central Area and Mabushi areas.
Recall that the construction of the three bus terminals was flagged off by the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike in 2024.
Ibrahim Aliyu, said since he had started work in the bus terminal at Mabushi, he doesn’t lack what to eat.
According to him, the company handling the project pays him weekly, making him earn enough to eat with the family.
Aliyu said, ” since I started work in the bus terminal last year, I don’t worry about food again. The company pays me weekly.
“I am very happy these days because anytime I woke up I have where to go and work, not just the work but have something to take home.
“The minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike should Keep the good work, if not because of him we wouldn’t have this project that is providing food for me”
Another artisan, Aliyu Mohammed said before the commencement of the bus terminal project he was jobless.
“Before the coming of the project I was jobless but I am always busy these days because of the work. The money I raised from here help me to pay my children’s school fees, and buy clothes for my wife” Mohammed said.
On his part, the project manager, Planet Projects, Mr. Rasheed Sholadoye said the project had so far created over 3,000 jobs for the residents.
Sholadoye explained that part of the conditions in the contract was for the company to employ residents in the executing of the project as part of FCT Administration’s strategy for job creation.
According to him, Mabushi and Kugbo bus terminals will be inaugurated by the end of February, 2025.
“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 said that while the construction of the bus terminals in Mabushi and Kugbo commenced in July 2024, that of Central Area commenced two months later.
He explained that the delay followed the relocation of some underground facilities at the project site located close to eagle square.
The project manager expresses optimism that despite the delay, the projects were still on track and would be delivered as scheduled.
He disclosed that Mabushi bus terminal has reached 92 per cent completion, the one in Kugbo was currently at 85 per cent completion while that of Central Area was about 50 per cent.
