The current approach by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed towards mass transit is yet another immense endeavour by the current FCT Administration with regards to the provision of efficient and affordable transportation for the residents in the Federal Capital Territory.When it comes to the matter of nationalism which is love for one's country including its people, culture and products, etc, the minister stands out as an exemplar. It was therefore not surprising that he has created a space for indigenous companies to participate in Abuja's potentially lucrative mass transit sector. It is against this backdrop that Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited (Innoson Group), one of Nigeria's foremost indigenous motor manufacturing companies, has been granted approval by the minister to build an automobile service station in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).The decision by Mohammed to allocate a befitting parcel of land to the Innoson Group to build a service station in Abuja is premised on the Group's special presentation to display its ultra-modern transit buses, waste compacting trucks and bins.At the launching of the operators licence for transportation, Mohammed had clarified that in recent times Abuja's population growth has increased rapidly thus placing a greater demand on the transport sector and hence, the need for an effective public transport system in the Federal Capital Territory.The provision of infrastructure necessary for effective transportation system like the one Innoson Group is offering remains topmost on the ambitions and determination of the Bala-led Federal Capital Territory administration.The minister has by his gesture exhibited considerable delight that a Nigerian company has developed the skill to ingeniously manufacture locally, various sizes of motor vehicles including high capacity mass transit buses. In addition, there is also the need to encourage more patronage for not just the Innoson Group and other indigenous automobile manufacturers as a thoughtful way of encouraging Nigeria's technological ingenuity and thus reduce capital flight abroad.We must also recall that inadequate budgetary allocation and economic reservations have militated against effective transportation in the Federal Capital Territory thus making it difficult to achieve the set goal within the shortest period, making the development to be in gradual phases and paces.Mohammed commended the Innoson Group for being straightforward by declaring that they participate in vehicle manufacturing only and not road transportation business. 'Abuja is a big centre stage with great national and international attractions and potentials', said the minister.Mr Fred Nwosu, the leader of the Group, who represented the Chairman/CEO of Innoson Group, Mr Innocent I. Chukwuma, had told the minister that the high capacity mass transit buses being manufactured by the company were produced in line with the London type. He also stated that the passenger capacity of each of the buses is 99 persons made up of 45 persons sitting and 55 persons standing. He further added that the company's local content input in terms of spare parts and components currently stands at 60 percent.Accordingly, the Group presently imports flat sheets for the manufacturing of buses due to the fact that Ajaokuta Steel Company which is supposed to produce the vital parts, is no longer functional. The Innoson Group manufactures the big mass transit buses based on order, pointing out that it can deliver 50 buses within 60 days once an order is duly placed and confirmed for the vehicles.Basically, the company has no problem with spare parts having first started operations as a spare parts manufacturer.Undoubtedly, Abuja ranks as one of the fastest growing cities in the world with enlarged activities in the City Centre as army of visitors, in their multitudes from within and outside the country, troop in on a daily basis for different purposes. This will further boost the mass transit business for operators.This goes to show that Mohammed, in pursuit for an active and reasonable transport system for residents of the FCT and visitors alike, is willing to go the extra mile and he is also ready to collaborate with serious minded operators of mass transit that will positively impact in the transport sector of the Federal Capital Territory, so that essentially, we can have a vibrant capital city that responds to the dynamism of President Jonathan's transformational ideals.The parley between the minister and the Innoson Group is an outcome of the transportation scheme that was previously commenced in the FCT with five operators and with the promise of licensing more operators in due course in order to ensure that the FCT's ever growing population is massively catered for. The FCT Administration is diligently providing the enabling environment to ensure the success of the mass transit scheme.'Mohammed Awwalu Ibro, Media Analyst,lives in Abuja. lipsog@gmail.com
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