Abuja rail project in progress. Twitter photo.
By Kabir Muhammad
The Acting Secretary, FCT Transport Secretariat, Alhaji AbdulHamid Suleiman, has stated that Abuja Light Rail project is 84.33 per cent completed.
Suleiman stated this in an interview with the NANon Monday in Abuja, adding that the total length of double track as at today completed 45. 245 kilometres.
The project was awarded on May 25, 2007 to M/S China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC Nigeria Limited for the final construction of Lots 1 and 3 of the project.
He stated the project was at the sum of $841, 645, 898.00 dollars with completion period of 48 months.
“This consisted of approximately 60.67 kilometres of standard gauge double railway track and associated permanent way within FCT.
“In August 2012, due to deficiencies noticed in the estimations, the scope of the contract was varied to 823, 540, 545.87 dollars for the final design and construction of Lots A1 and 3.
“The project has attained about 84. 33 per cent completion as at December 2016,” he stated.
The acting secretary stated.12 stations had reached 75 per cent completion; 50 culverts 100 per cent; nine pedestrian overpasses reached 85 per cent completion.
On railway bridges, 13 are 100 per cent; 15 flyover bridges 80 per cent; locomotive and rolling stone stock depot also reached 85 per cent completion; communication, 67 per cent and signalling is 87 percent completion.
Suleiman says the projected date of the completion of the project is Dec. 2017.
“The feasibility study and conceptual design for the remaining Lots 4, 5 and 6 is under procurement.
“These Lots are available for concession under a Design, Build and Operate (DBO) basis,” he stated.