By Pius Awunah
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),Mr. Nyesom Wike has announced plans for the administration to partner with private sector operators to ensure smooth, efficient operation of bus terminals within the territory.
He said the initiative aims to improve public transport services and address challenges such as vehicle identification and commuter safety.
Wike made this known during a media briefing on Saturday,November 29,2025, during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja’s city centre and Area Councils.
The minister outlined the initial strategy to include:deploying government-owned buses and taxis, all painted in the official Abuja colour scheme and to launch terminal operations.
Wike said having commercial vehicles in the Federal Capital City (FCC),all painted in the Abuja colour, would curb the notorious “one chance” syndrome by allowing commuters to easily identify authorised vehicles.
“Eventually, government will partner with private individuals, but for now, government must contribute to kick-start the operation of bus terminals with vehicles painted in the Abuja colour. This will help eliminate the one chance syndrome. You know you are entering a vehicle you can identify. Private operators will be involved later, but this is our initial contribution,” the minister explained.
Wike praised the superior quality of the CBD terminal, distinguishing it from the recently inaugurated Kugbo and Mabushi terminals.
He commended the contractor’s commitment to completing the project by year-end—a schedule aligned with the arrival of a new fleet of vehicles for terminal operations.
“With the CBD terminal, I am impressed by the quality of the work; it is distinct from Kugbo and Mabushi. The contractor aims to finish by year-end, which should coincide with the arrival of vehicles procured for these terminals to launch operations,” he noted.
However, Wike expressed concerns about slow progress on the critical 15-kilometre Pai-Gomani road project in Kwali Area Council—an important corridor linking remote communities to the Abuja/Lokoja Expressway. He voiced disappointment with the delay, highlighting that a similar A2–Pai road project (of the same length) awarded later had already been completed and commissioned.
“Frankly speaking, I’m not too impressed. That road was awarded before A2–Pai, and we have commissioned that. It appears there isn’t much communication between STDD and the contractor,” he remarked.
