Residents along the Gwagwa‑Airport railway corridor in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have formally asked the federal government and the FCT administration for a clear update on the stalled rail project, pointing to a noticeable slowdown in works such as power‑supply installation and station facilities.
Abubakar Rilwanu, a homeowner in Gwagwa, observed that construction activity has markedly decelerated, especially the erection of electrical infrastructure needed for the three stations that sit on the 12‑station line linking the Central Business District to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. He stressed that locals are anxious to see the line completed because it promises to boost mobility and connectivity within the capital.
"It is beyond our imagination that a critical segment involving railway stations would take this long to finish," Rilwanu said, urging the Federal Government of Nigeria and the FCT authorities to publish the project's current status and an estimated completion timetable.
He added that finishing the corridor would generate economic gains, notably by cutting the reliance on diesel‑powered generators at the stations. Connecting the stations to the national electricity grid, he argued, would either reduce or eliminate the need for such generators.
Another resident, Ishaya Madaki, echoed the frustration, questioning why a high‑profile infrastructure venture is progressing so slowly despite substantial government spending. "For a government that is spending heavily on infrastructure development, I do not know why this major project is taking so long to progress. It does not send a good signal about this administration, especially as this is the nation’s capital," he remarked.
Attempts to reach the construction firm responsible for the work proved unsuccessful; calls to its public enquiries line went unanswered and no response was received at the time of reporting.
The residents called on the relevant authorities to engage the contractor and other stakeholders promptly, resolve outstanding issues, and accelerate work toward the project's completion.