L-R Managing Director, Zeberced Group, Aidel Aiden Kurt, Vice Chairman, House Committee on Area councils and Ancillary Matters, Honourable Peter Akpanke, Member representing Abuja South in the House of Representatives, Honourable Abdurrahman Ajiya, FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator Salihu Mustapha, Coordinator, STDD, Hon Abdulkadir Zulkiflu at flag off of construction of the A2/ Pai road in Kwali Area Council of the FCT on Tuesday.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said that the provision of rural infrastructure will bridge the disconnect between the Abuja city centre and the FCT Area Councils and also discourage rural urban migration.
The FCT Minister said this during the flag-off of the construction of the 15-kilometer A2 to Pai road project linking the Abuja-Lokoja expressway to the Pai Community in Kwali Area Council.
Wike observed that the disconnect between the Abuja Lokoja Expressway and the Pai Community was due to the absence of good motorable road, and said the award and construction of the A2 to Pai road project, will enhance the living condition of the people within the community as well as improve the security situation in the area.
He said the road project would be completed by May next year and expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor to deliver the project within the stipulated timeframe, even as he assured them of adequate funding.
Recounting the events that led to the flag off exercise, the Minister said, “Some few months ago when we came here to flag off the Pai to Gomani road and on our way going to that place, I was asking questions, what happened here. Why is there no road. How do you get to that area. The people going to that area must pass through this place?
“And we did say that we will come and flag off this road so that as the contractor is working from Pai to Gomani, then this people will work from A2 to Pai. If you add the 15-kilometer to the almost 18-kilometer from Pai to Gomani, you are talking about over 30 kilometers.
“You can imagine what the people here will benefit. You are talking about insecurity. Why will you not have insecurity when there are no access roads”.
He acknowledged the synergy between the FCT Administration and the Area Council Chairmen, as well as the traditional rulers, saying it has brought about the accelerated development of the FCT Area Councils. He also stressed the commitment of the FCTA to the provision good governance in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Barr. Wike said, “We believe in the Renewed Hope Agenda, what the President is doing through us is to connect the satellite towns to the main city so that you don’t have to say let me go and stay in the city. By the time we provide water to the satellite towns and good roads, then you will have the positive impact of governance.
“I believe by the time we put solar light on this road, it will look like the city. Be assured that under Mr. President’s tenure, every promise we have made, every project we have started, we will complete all of them. We are not going to abandon any project”.
While reiterating that all the projects undertaken by the FCT Administration were duly provided for in the budget of the FCT, Barr. Wike assured that every aspect of the projects would be fully implemented and thanked the National assembly for their continued support to the FCTA.
Giving an overview of the A2 to Pai road project, the Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said it will be provided with all the facilities of a well-designed road, including streetlights and drainages, adding that its completion will enhance smooth and free access from the A2 to Pai, down to Gomani communities.
In his remarks, the MD, Zeberced Group Ltd – contractors handling the project, Aiden Adil Kurt, committed to the timely delivery of the road project while assuring that the highest quality and standard would be adhered to. He thanked the FCT Minister for the confidence reposed in his company and pledged to also carry along members of the community during the course of the road construction.
On his part, the Chairman, Kwali Area Council, Hon. Danladi Chiya also thanked the FCT Minister for the provision of infrastructure in the entire FCT Area Councils.
The traditional ruler, Etsu Kwali, HRH Luka Ayedo Nizasaan, while making his remarks, presented a symbolic letter of indigene of Kwali to the FCT Minister, which he says signifies the adoption of the Minister as a son of Kwali, with the name, Shagasa, which he said means, ‘Heavens share opportunities’, in appreciation of the Minister’s developmental efforts in the Area Council.
