How Daily Trust report spurred N1.5bn project in FCT

Massive development worth N1.5 billion is ongoing on a green area behind Wuse Market which was hitherto neglected and became a haven for hoodlums and a site for open defecation. Daily Trust learnt its report on the area and some other parks in the city entitled: Abuja Green Areas Turn To Dumpsites, Toilets; published on […]

Massive development worth N1.5 billion is ongoing on a green area behind Wuse Market which was hitherto neglected and became a haven for hoodlums and a site for open defecation.

Daily Trust learnt its report on the area and some other parks in the city entitled: Abuja Green Areas Turn To Dumpsites, Toilets; published on February 10, 2020, led to the reclamation of the green space.

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Already, a pedestrian bridge has been built across a stream running through the area, linking Wuse Market and Kitiwe Street.

Daily Trust gathered that the Transport Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), which constructed the bridge, has gone into partnership with a private developer to construct a taxi rank there to alleviate the perennial traffic jam around Wuse market area.

The transit park is expected to dislodge hoodlums who lurked there and attacked residents; and also create a peaceful and serene ambience for shoppers in Abuja’s most crowded market.

Sir Obasi Arinze, the developer of the park, who spoke to Daily Trust on-site, said though the land use has been changed from a reserved green area to a park, it was not going to have a negative effect on the environment.

“We have actually taken that (environment) into consideration and thank God for the agencies in the FCT; they have equally taken a look at our drawings, our designs and everything to make sure that they (drawings) conform to the demand of urban and regional planning and even the development control and all other agencies.

“In our designs, we have provided green areas and trees and grasses in the necessary areas. We have included everything in the design to make sure the park is environment friendly,” he said.

He said the area is going to be turned into a sophisticated taxi rank where shoppers can park their cars and walk across the bridge to the market and even relax for leisure.

“Their cars will be secured; it will reduce incidences of car theft and even the traffic jam on the adjourning routes will be almost 100 per cent eliminated. Then, it will beautify this environment because this is the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Obasi added that the project would also provide employment opportunities for 200 people.

He said he got the concept from Germany and would want to replicate it in the capital city.