The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the construction of modern bus terminals in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones at a total cost of N142,028,576,008.17.

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, announced this while briefing State House correspondents after Wednesday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.

Alkali said the contract was awarded to Messrs Planet Project Limited.

According to the minister, the terminals will be located in Abeokuta (South-West), Gombe (North-East), Kano (North-West), Lokoja (North-Central), Onitsha (South-East), and Ewu in Edo State (South-South).

Senator Alkali described the project as the first direct Federal Government intervention in road transport infrastructure beyond road construction, adding that the choice of locations was based on economic viability.

He explained that the absence of purpose-built bus terminals to cater for millions of Nigerian commuters has contributed to rising cases of crime, road traffic accidents, and the proliferation of arms and ammunition on the nation’s highways.

“This is the first time government is having an intervention in road infrastructure apart from road construction,” Alkali said.

“In spite of the significance of road transportation in Nigeria, there are no bus terminals that address the interest of millions of commuters. This has resulted in increased crime, road traffic accidents, and the spread of arms on our highways.”

The minister said the initiative was conceived by the Ministry of Transportation to improve road transport safety, enhance passenger comfort, and boost economic activities.

He noted that the proposal was presented to President Tinubu and FEC for approval after careful consideration of the potential impact on national transportation and security. (LEADERSHIP)