Engr. Sholadoye. Planet Projects Supervisor being interviewed

By Festus Fifen

The ongoing construction of three Modern Bus and Taxi Terminals by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in Abuja, has so far, created more than 3,000 jobs for residents.

The Honourable Minister of the FCT Barr. Nyesome Wike had in July 2024, inaugurated the construction of three Modern bus and taxi terminals with state- of- the- art facilities to aid easy transportation within and outside Abuja.

The terminals which are cited in Mabushi, the Central Business District and the Kugbo Area of the Nation’s Capital are aimed at solving the transportation challenge in Abuja.

The move, according to the minister, was to ensure a secure and convenient travel experience for commuters in the FCT and create job opportunities for residents.

Mr Rasheed Sholadoye, the Project Manager of Planet Projects, the company executing the projects, said that the 3,000 workers which have been engaged so far comprised both skilled, unskilled artisans and security men.

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.

In his words, “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.

Kugbo Terminal

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.

“Hopefully with our schedule and programme of work, by the grace of God, the terminals in Mabushi and Kubo will be ready for inauguration by the end of February.

“On the other hand, the one in Central Area will be ready in May.

Mabushi Terminal

“The projects are all encompassing with commercial activities in all the terminals, including cinema halls, where people can relax while waiting for their bus.

“We are bringing state of the art facilities, especially the one in Central Area. It will be a terminal that the people of Abuja will love to see and enjoy,” he said.

Some of the workers at the sites, who lauded the initiative, thanked Wike for putting food on their table.

One of them, a 29-year-old welder, Mr Happiness Johnson, who lives in Kubwa, said the project has provided him with a stable job.

Johnson, who thanked Wike for mandating the contractor to employ residents, said that the steady means of income has significantly improved his standard of living.

On her part, a 31-year-old mother of four, Mrs Abigail Daniel, a cleaner at the Mabushi terminal, expressed optimism for a brighter future as a worker in the facility.

Mrs Daniel said she was working as a house help but lost the job when her employer travelled out of the country.

Centre Business District Terminal

“Life was difficult for me and my children until I got this job. I am grateful to the FCT minister for making this happen for me,” she said.

It is believed that the completion of these three projects will bring about a new lease of life in the Nigeria Capital.