By Ben Adoga, with agency report
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says all the area councils of the FCT will feel the impact of President Tinubu-led administration.
Wike gave the assurance yesterday at the inauguration of the 15.5-kilometre Pai-Gomani Road construction in Kwali Area Council of FCT.
He also said that the Tinubu-led government was inclusive, assuring that everybody would participate and benefit from the dividend of democracy under Tinubu.
The Minister said that Tinubu did not appoint him minister to sell land in FCT but to improve its infrastructure.
“I took the position to support Mr President in improving the infrastructure of the FCT. That is why, every day, our concern is infrastructure, infrastructure, and infrastructure, be it in the city or rural areas,” he said.
He said the communities from the expressway to Gomani were blessed with arable land for agricultural production.
When completed, he said that the project would boost agricultural production in the area.
Wike, however, expressed displeasure over how the project was awarded.
He explained that the contract was awarded to connect Pai and Gomani, while the road from the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway (A2) to Pai was not awarded.
“Now, if you construct the road from Pia to Gomani, how do you come to Pai when that road is not motorable?
“Whoever is behind that, you are not being fair, and we cannot continue this way. The truth must be told at all times,” he said.
To address the issue, Wike said that he has called for a pledge of some funds to construct the road from A2 to Pai as an emergency project.
“We are all humans. How will these people feel that you are passing their community, where there is no road, and you are awarded a contract for constructing the road after passing their community?
He assured residents of the affected communities that the project would be completed, adding that no community would be left behind in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Earlier, the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Mr Danladi Chiya, thanked the Minister for all the support the area councils have received in terms of infrastructural development.
Chiya said that the area councils were executing some projects because Wike did not interfere with their allocations, and he invited him to find time to come and see some of the projects.
Senator David Jimkuta, Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, said that the road would connect the area councils to the city centre when completed.
Jimkuta added that, with the ongoing development of social infrastructures, residents will be comfortable living anywhere in the FCT.
He pledged the Senate’s continued support of the FCT Minister’s efforts to transform the FCT and make life comfortable for all residents.
*Wike lambasts STDD for not awarding A1
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister has assured Abuja residents and area council people that every area council will feel the impact of Tinubu’s government.
Wike, who gave this assurance while flagging off the 15 km Pai-Gomani road in Kwali Area Council, lambasted the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) leadership for playing pranks by awarding Pai-Gonani in front and leaving Gwagwalada-Pai road, which is 18 km in front of the one flagged off today.
Lambasting the Director, STDD, and Director of Engineering for leaving behind the Gwagwalada-Pai section of the road and going 18km in to award the 15km Pai-Gomani road, Wike scolded the duo for abandoning a section of the project.
The Minister, who asked the duo to come out and face the people, said, “This is why it is difficult for this country to move forward. While we were coming from the expressway, called A2 to Pai, they refused to award that contract but instead awarded it from Pai to Gomani.
“Now, if you construct the road from Pia to Gomani, how do you come to Pai when that road is not motorable? The people of Pai will be angry for being left out. Whoever masterminded this, you are not being fair, and we cannot continue this way. The truth must be told at all times.”
Wike announced there and then that he had already made calls to request contract construction to accommodate this section of the road.
During the contract overview, the Director of STDD praised Wike for his commitment to developing the FCT communities.
He said the delivery period of the contract is 12 months.
