A heavy rainstorm yesterday wreaked havoc on the multimillion naira Kugbo Bus Terminal in Abuja, blowing off large sections of the facility’s roof and causing major traffic disruption along the busy Abuja-Keffi highway.
Abuja Metro reports that the downpour, which began around 3.30pm, was accompanied by strong winds that tore through the yet-to-be-operational terminal, scattering roofing materials and structural components across both lanes of the busy dual carriageway.
Motorists were left stranded for hours as the debris obstructed traffic, leading to a gridlock on both sides of the road, a major entry and exit route linking the Federal Capital Territory to neighbouring states.
Witnesses said scavengers took advantage of the situation, braving the rain to cart away parts of the damaged roof and other materials that littered across the highway.
“The wind was very strong. Within minutes, the roof of the facility was blown onto the road. Vehicles had to slow down, and before long, traffic built up on both sides,” a commuter said.
The Kugbo Bus Terminal is one of three modern transport hubs built by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, as part of efforts by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to improve urban transportation, ease congestion, and enhance commuter safety in Abuja.
The terminals – located in Kugbo, Mabushi and the Central Area – were designed to serve as organised transit points for buses and other forms of public transportation within the city.
However, the Kugbo facility had yet to commence full operations before the incident, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the project and the pace of its completion.
In May 2024, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved N96 billion for the construction of bus terminals and other facilities in the federal capital territory (FCT).
Of that amount, N51bn was approved for the construction of bus terminals and other transportation facilities in the FCT.
Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said the rainstorm caused “minor damage” to a pedestrian bridge and some buildings in the area.
“From preliminary reports, no one was injured, and no vehicle was damaged. To prevent breakdown of law and order, as well as free flow of traffic, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed that security men be deployed to the scene, while immediate action will be taken towards fixing the damages caused by the windstorm”, Olayinka said.