Anthony Ogunleye, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister’s chief press secretary, disclosed the information following the FEC meeting on Wednesday at the presidential villa in Abuja.

He said the contract was awarded to two security service providers namely Messrs Al-Ahli Security Guards Ltd, at the cost of N407, 214, 000 million, covering a distance of 27.245 kilometers and eight rail stations, and Messrs Segad Security Protective Company Ltd, at the cost of N310, 979, 250 million, covering a distance of 18 kilometers, comprising of four stations.

The scope of the contract, which will last for two years, includes protection of the rail tracks, Communication and Control Centre infrastructure as well as electrical and signaling equipment.

Also, FCTA’s acting secretary, transportation secretariat, Usman Musa Yahaya while providing more details on the contract explained that the provision of emergency security services to the rail tracks became imperative following the vandalization of portions of the track.

Yahaya noted that once the Abuja Rail Mass Transit operation was put into service in June 2018, the supply of rail services continued up until the nationwide lockdown that was brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He regretted that during the lockdown, several rail facilities were targeted by vandals.

The FCT will benefit greatly from this approval because it will significantly increase the security of the rail route.