Over three months have passed since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially inaugurated the Kugbo and Mabushi bus terminals in Abuja, yet these facilities remain inaccessible, their gates sealed shut. Despite the grand opening ceremony, media attention, and public anticipation in June, commuters within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) continue to endure the same disorganized and unsafe transportation conditions these terminals were intended to resolve.
This situation prompts critical inquiries: Why inaugurate infrastructure that is evidently not operational? What justifies the expenditure of billions of taxpayers’ naira on structures left to deteriorate unused? Why raise public expectations only to abandon these projects to neglect and silence?
Regrettably, this scenario reflects a recurring trend in Nigerian governance-prioritizing appearances over substantive progress. The premature commissioning of incomplete infrastructure not only misleads the public but also exposes a lack of effective management. It signals that the FCT administration may be more invested in political optics than in addressing the real transportation challenges faced by residents.
According to reports from The Daily Trust, these terminals were equipped with modern amenities designed to accommodate over 10,000 passengers daily and house 120 buses, aiming to eradicate the persistent threat posed by opportunistic criminals on the roads. Yet, these criminal activities persist unabated, while the terminals, which could have been instrumental in curbing such issues, remain locked and neglected.
Each day the terminals stay closed, the hardships of Abuja’s commuters intensify. Workers and students are forced into overcrowded, unsafe vehicles, fare prices fluctuate unpredictably, and security concerns escalate. Meanwhile, the unused terminals begin to fall into disrepair-a significant misallocation of public funds that the citizens cannot afford to bear.
This neglect is a clear demonstration of irresponsibility. A competent government would have ensured all operational challenges-such as securing transport operators and establishing necessary logistics-were addressed before any formal commissioning. Failing to do so reduces vital infrastructure to mere political theater, transforming what should symbolize progress into a stark emblem of unfulfilled promises.
Minister Nyesom Wike should be reminded that true leadership transcends ceremonial events and speeches; it demands concrete outcomes. Abuja requires a minister committed to delivering on commitments and prioritizing the everyday needs of its people, rather than showcasing incomplete projects for political gain.
The Kugbo and Mabushi bus terminals must be made operational without further delay. Anything less constitutes a betrayal of the taxpayers’ investment and a disservice to the growing number of commuters in Nigeria’s capital.
Abuja deserves a functional, secure, and dependable transportation network-not locked, unused structures that fail to serve the community they were built for.
Awagya, Senior Lecturer, Karu, Abuja