Passengers can now ride on the Abuja metro rail for free for the next six months, courtesy of a declaration by President Bola Tinubu.
President Tinubu, who commissioned the metro rail project and flagged it off for public use on Wednesday approved the extension of free rides to the end of 2024.
The president said the gesture will “give the people hope and reason to celebrate”.
Recall that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, had earlier approved a two months free ride for users of the metro rail, upon it’s flagging off for operation
Wike said the free rides would commence on Tuesday, adding that it is part of the president’s renewed hope agenda for residents of the FCT.
The president appealed for the extension to offer hope for Abuja residents and give them reasons to celebrate the flag off
“Our dear landlord and his team, I heard you saying two months free ride. I appeal to you to make it till the end of the year. Since today you’re not going to charge me, that will give the people hope and reasons to celebrate,” Tinubu said.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the rail line on July 12, 2018.
It however packed up shortly after, due to vandalism.
But in it’s determination to reactivate the project, in October 2023, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N5.5 billion to fund access road construction for communities along the rail project.
