Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (C) was sworn in on May 29 and has already begun major economic reforms
AFP

President Bola Tinubu announced that Nigerians alongside other commuters will be able to enjoy free rides on the Abuja Metro Line until the end of the year, as the train relaunched for commercial operations on the Abuja Light Rail on Wednesday.

The president, who took a 40-minute ride from the metro station to the airport station, said he knew that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had made train rides free for two months already, but urged him to make it free until the end of the year.

"Let us give the people reasons to celebrate," the president added, as per the official statement shared on the State House website. "As we gather to commemorate the first anniversary of my administration, we are also celebrating the fruits of collaboration, dedication, progress, and foresightedness."

He noted that the Abuja Metro was inherited by the Former President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari's administration, recalling that it was first started in 2018 for public use. However, soon COVID-19 struck and the train service was abandoned, vandalized, disused and abused.

Tinubu further said when he took office on May 29 last year, he wanted to have a well-functioning and thriving FCT with good public infrastructure and transportation systems for the people living and working in the city and nearby communities.

"I made a public request and a challenge to the Minister, Nyesom Wike. Then, I did not know that he would be able to deliver this project on time. I said, 'Do not give me land, Mr. Landlord'. He gave me the assurance that I will be able to ride on the metro line, and I am very proud that today you delivered on that promise," the president said.

The roads leading to the stations have also been improved, the president said.

He highlighted that now it feels like his administration was serving the nation, emphasizing on the importance of serving the nation, which he likened to a key part of the "new national anthem" recently adopted and signed into law. He encouraged Nigerians to stay committed to serving the country.

In March, the president inaugurated the 37-kilometer-long first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line project, which is expected to reduce the traveling time in the state.

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