A prominent civil society organisation, the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN), has raised concerns over the recent reallocation of land meant for the National Railway Station in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The group claims that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has granted a piece of public land to a private company, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the management of national assets.
The land in question, Plot 1398 (A00) in the Central Area District of Abuja, was designated as a Public Transport Utility, specifically for the National Railway Station. The decision to allocate this property to a private entity, NY New Construction Limited, was reportedly made on August 30, 2024. According to TAN, this move by Minister Wike is a serious breach of public trust, as the National Railway Station was initially intended to serve as a critical component of the nation’s railway infrastructure, connecting Abuja with other parts of Nigeria.
The organization’s National Coordinator, Comrade Michael Briggs, expressed shock and disappointment in the actions of the FCT Minister. In a statement Briggs emphasized that the National Railway Station, which was meant to serve as a major transit hub for thousands of commuters, should not be handed over to a private company for development. He argued that such a decision undermines the public’s trust in government leadership and jeopardizes the quality and accessibility of a vital public service.
Briggs also highlighted the fact that the National Railway Station project was originally conceived to provide seamless connections between the National Railway system and other modes of transport in the city, such as buses and the metro system. The goal was to create a highly efficient and integrated transport network that would support the mobility of citizens across the country. The recent move to hand over this critical public asset to a private company, he argued, raises concerns about the priorities of the current government, with potential implications for future infrastructure projects in the country.
According to the statement from TAN, the National Railway Station was designed to be a top-tier public transport facility, serving the needs of commuters traveling from one city to another. In addition to its role in enhancing the national transport network, the project was expected to contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy by facilitating the efficient movement of people and goods. However, the new decision to convert the facility for private use threatens to undermine these benefits.
Briggs further questioned the secrecy surrounding the allocation process, expressing concern that due process had not been followed. He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and investigate the circumstances surrounding the reallocation of this land. The group believes that the decision was made without adequate public consultation or transparency, and it calls for a thorough investigation into whether the process was free from conflicts of interest.
“The recent decision by Minister Wike to convert this public asset for private use is a matter of grave concern. National railway infrastructure is a public asset, held in trust by the government for the benefit of all citizens. Converting it for private gain undermines this trust and sets a dangerous precedent,” Briggs said in the statement.
He also reminded President Tinubu of comments made by Minister Wike in the past, where he publicly criticized previous FCT ministers for allocating bus terminals to private companies. Briggs accused Wike of hypocrisy, noting that the minister was now engaging in the same practices he had once condemned.
The Transparency and Accountability Network is calling for immediate action from President Tinubu to halt the allocation and conduct a transparent public inquiry into the decision-making process that led to the approval of the land grant to NY New Construction Limited. The organization is also urging the President to take steps to protect public assets and ensure that the principles of transparency and accountability are upheld in all government dealings.
“We are aware of documents that can support our claims, and we are ready to present them should the President decide to investigate the matter,” said Briggs. “We trust that President Tinubu will take the necessary steps to uphold the integrity of public office and prevent any further mismanagement of national resources.”
The group’s appeal comes at a time when public confidence in government transparency is a pressing issue in Nigeria. Over the years, there have been growing concerns about the allocation of public resources, particularly in the area of infrastructure development. Citizens and civil society groups have increasingly demanded that government officials be held accountable for their actions, and that public assets be protected from misuse or privatization for personal gain.
The situation has sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians expressing concern about the transparency of government decisions and the potential consequences of privatizing public infrastructure. Some argue that the involvement of private companies in the development of public transport systems can bring much-needed expertise and investment. However, others believe that such moves should be closely scrutinized to ensure they do not lead to the exclusion of ordinary citizens from benefiting from key public services.
The Transparency and Accountability Network’s call for President Tinubu’s intervention highlights the growing frustration among civil society organizations and the public regarding the management of national resources. As the debate continues, the outcome of this issue will likely have significant implications for the future of public infrastructure in Nigeria, as well as for the trust citizens place in their government’s ability to act in their best interests.
