The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed that the Abuja rail mass transit will commence operations in 2013.

Engr. Kenneth Okafor, a director in the FCTA transport department disclosed this at an interactive section of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project held at Vines Hotel, Abuja.

Okafor, however, said the commissioning will depend on the availability of funds to complete the project in the stipulated time frame.

According to him, "the problem that will hinder the commissioning of the project in 2013 is lack of funds, the more government delays the project, the more it spends unnecessary money, if the needed funds are made available at least a train run of the project can be commissioned in the next 18 months and the main project can take off in 2013."

The project consultants, Silas Idoko said they organised the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to enable stakeholders make inputs towards effective execution of the project.

He noted that the project would encourage infrastructural development in the satellite towns and decongest the city, saying many residents would be coming to work from there.

He added that it would reduce fuel consumption and quantum of gas emission into the air since most residents would not be coming to work with their vehicles.