The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to build Nigeria’s first underground railway.

The line will connect the Abuja Metro Station to the Central Business District Bus Terminal.

This was made known during the inauguration of the Central Business District bus terminal construction on Monday by the Mandate Secretary, Chinedum Elechi.

He revealed that plans are being made for the country’s first underground rail line.

According to him, the CBD Terminal, strategically located at Eagle Square, is a transportation hub that will connect to a future underground light rail system.

The rail line, as outlined in the Abuja Master Plan, will run beneath the terminal, allowing for seamless transfers between underground trains and above-ground buses and taxis.

“The rail line will be connected from the Metro Station at Central Business District just over there. It will come this way underground.

“There is a space between the two buildings where the underground train will come up and the station will be on the surface and the train will continue to run underground between the two buildings.

“What we are doing here today is both for now and the future of public transportation in the FCT,”

According to Elechi, the bus/taxi terminal would have a profound impact on Abuja’s public transportation.

He added that encouraging more people to use public transport, would reduce the number of private cars on the roads, leading to faster travel times, decreased stress for commuters, and lower vehicle maintenance and fuel costs.

Responding, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike noted that with the help of the President, this is only the beginning of the development of the road infrastructure development that will take place in the FCT.

“Abuja is a beautiful city. By the grace of God, through the support of Mr. President, we have continued to expand the road infrastructure.

“If we expand the road infrastructure without linking it with the various bus terminals, I don’t think we will be able to achieve what we want to achieve.”