President Bola Tinubu has said that the resilience, patience and unwavering support of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has made it possible to complete projects in the nation’s capital.
Tinubu said this at the commissioning of the interchange connecting Wuye and Wuse district in Abuja on Thursday.
The president said “The best way to achieve greatness is to look forward, aspire for great results, and not be hindered by obstacles. We must see opportunities in obstacles and seize them.
“This facility enhances the security of our people, making them the central focus of our development efforts, which is the essence of democracy.
“Our determination to succeed and extend happiness to the teeming population, and bring about prosperity and tangible value of immense proportions to our people is the primary objective of this government,” he said.
Hailing the Minister, Tinubu said “Your resilience, patience, and unwavering support have been instrumental in making this possible.
“Projects and results are not realised by chance. They come through thoughtful planning and execution. I am very proud of this achievement,” the president said.
Also speaking at the event, Wike recalled that the project was awarded in 2009 at the cost of N34 billion and revised to N74 billion before the inauguration of the Tinubu administration on May 29.
He said “You can imagine, 15 years we are struggling to construct just one interchange.
“I can imagine the hardship the people here faced. Business activities of course will crumble.
“But to the glory of God, and by your determination and your mission, which is to bring back hope that has been lost, the bridge has been completed under your administration.”
The minister thanked Tinubu for the attention given to the FCT in the last one year, adding that residents would always cherish the project, given its importance.
He said “when we were inaugurated, we sat down to look at a project we can complete within time, and that has value and can impact positively on the lives of the people.
“Residents of this district who are familiar with the terrain will appreciate what you have done and thank you for this interchange. It is not about how many kilometres; it is about the importance of the interchange to the people.”
Wike also commended chairmen of the FCT committees in the National Assembly, chairmen of the area councils and auxiliary matters for their unwavering support.
He equally thanked the Director-General of Debt Management Office for supporting the project, explaining that the project was partly funded by SUKUK.
He added that “me and the minister of state, we are happy to be part of your renewed hope mantra; that we are part of something that is contributing.
“Today, Nigerians can see that when you say something, it comes to reality.”
Wike also said that the projects being inaugurated across the federal capital were made possible by the approval of Tinubu for the FCT Administration to pull out of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
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He explained that “removing us from the TSA made it possible. The delivery of these projects was possible because of the tremendous support of President Tinubu.”
Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said “the Wuye interchange is one of the critical projects Wike considered to have direct impact on the operations and functionality of the network of the Transportation Master Plan of the city.
“Wuye is a residential district and when the minister came on board, among the critical projects considered was the Wuye district engineering project.
“He insisted that we should try to deliver the Wuye to Wuse link bridge.
“This will solve a lot of fatalities recorded in the connectivity between Wuye and Wuse and other adjoining districts on daily or weekly bases.
“It will also eliminate the chaotic traffic congestion at Julius Berger Roundabout which is the main linkage to Wuye District.”“
