FCT Minister flags off upgrading of roads in Bwari Area Council

In continuation of efforts by the FCT Administration to bridge the gap in the provision of infrastructure in the FCT satellite towns and the city centre, the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Monday, October 28, 2024, flagged off the upgrading of the War College/Army Checkpoint and other ancillary roads within the Bwari Area Council.

Speaking during the flag-off exercise, Barr. Wike stressed the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the living conditions of the people in the satellite towns through the provision of vital infrastructure.

The Minister, who stated that the road project was awarded to an indigenous contractor, said this also demonstrates the President’s commitment to empowering the local populace and indigenous contractors.

Recounting the series of events before the contract award, Barr. Wike said he personally visited the project site to ascertain the veracity of the proposed contract and the contractor’s capacity to deliver on the project.

He said “It makes me happy that under the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one thing I’ve always emphasized is to empower our people, empower our indigenous contractors who have shown capacity, who are willing to work”.

Speaking on the efforts of the present administration to provide infrastructure in the nation’s capital, Barr Wike revealed that the President has approved the award of the 9.5km Kabusa/Ketti road and the 11km Kabusa/Takushara road in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, as requested by the council chairman, Hon Christopher Maikalangu.

The Minister also revealed that an MOU has been signed between the FCTA and CGC for the provision of potable water in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils.

He said, “We went to China, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CGC to provide water for Kwali, for Gwagwalada and for Kuje to start with. We are not just only providing roads. Now Mr. President has taken a step further to see that you must have portable water to drink…”.

“As far as infrastructure is concerned, by the time this administration finishes in 2027, Abuja will be a different thing altogether”. The Minister added the administration has restored the people’s confidence in government, while assuring that development will get to all parts of the nation’s capital in due course.

He said, “I can assure you that every Area Council will be treated very well. You don’t need to worry yourself. The Renewed Hope Agenda is real. You can see that promise made, is promise fulfilled”.

Commending the Area Council Chairmen for their support for the FCT Administration, the Minister also stated that he has refrained from interfering with the allocations of the FCT Area Councils to encourage autonomy. He also called for Accountability on the part of the Council Chairmen.

The FCT Minister, while also noting that government requires revenue to provide infrastructure, called on FCT residents to pay their taxes and ground rents, even as he urged them to also hold the government accountable.

Speaking on the efforts of the government in the aspect of human capital development, Barr. Wike also revealed that N10 billion was earmarked, in the budget, for the empowerment of the youths in the FCT.

In his goodwill message, Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator David Jimkuta, described the ongoing infrastructure provision in the FCT as unprecedented.

Senator Jimkuta who also described the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike as the symbol of the Renewed Hope Agenda, added that the Minister’s excellent performance across the FCT was clear for all to see.

In her address, the Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud thanked President Tinubu for giving approval for the upgrading of the War College/Army Checkpoint and vital ancillary road projects, which she said will improve economic activity in the rural areas and enhance the quality of lives for the citizenry and thanked the FCT Minister for his vision, leadership and commitment to the development of the FCT.

On his part, Chairman Bwari Area Council, Hon. John Gabaya also thanked the FCT Minister for his commitment to the provision of infrastructure in the Bwari Council.

Hon. Gabaya described the Minister as the Messiah of the FCT and pledged the continued support of the people of Bwari Area Council for the FCT Administration.

Highlighting the scope of work for the 11 kilometer road project, the Coordinator Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said it has an 18-months completion timeline.

He added that the road project, when completed, will open up rural communities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the FCTA’s desire to provide an enabling environment and improve the living conditions in the FCT satellite towns.

Also speaking, Abdullahi Suleiman, the Managing Director of Abdulval LTD (the Contractor handling the project), thanked the Minister for entrusting the company with the project and assured him that the project would be delivered on time.