On the fourth day of commissioning projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mark President Bola Tinubu’s one year in office, the Presidency has stressed that it is providing quality leadership to the people of Nigeria.
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, stated this in Abuja yesterday during the inauguration of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from the Villa Roundabout to Ring Road I (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway).
Shettima stressed that with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the Presidency was providing quality leadership to the people of Nigeria and that what Wike was doing was a testament to quality and visionary leadership.
While showering encomiums on Wike, the Vice President said, “Wike is a force of nature, a redefinition of the cause of governance. With Wike, we have proved that what counts is leadership. Under Wike, we are providing quality leadership to the people of Nigeria.”
He said the project was a milestone achievement and would further open up the economy, stimulate growth, and decongest the ever-busy Nyanya-Keffi axis.
“With the addition of four Interchanges, we are enhancing connectivity and accessibility, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to navigate our beautiful capital city.
“I will therefore, once again commend the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his remarkable team in the FCT for his visionary leadership and tireless dedication to the upliftment of our capital city,” the VP stressed.
He told Wike, “The President is mightily proud of you for your dedication, for your persistence, for your courage and the will to do well. I think you deserve to stand and take a bow.”
He said the FCT under Wike had experienced giant strides in infrastructural development, urban planning, and sustainable growth in the nation’s capital.
Shettima said the road project was not just an engineering masterpiece, but also a shining example of what could be accomplished when people “work together towards a common goal, transcending political divides and personal interest for the greater good of our nation.”
He noted that as people celebrate and admire the project, it should be known that the work was far from being over as there were still many challenges to overcome, and many more opportunities to explore. But with determination, perseverance, and a sense of purpose, which is evident in the FCT, there is no limit to what could be achieved.
*Tinubu completing ongoing projects to make residents comfortable – Minister
Earlier, the Minister of FCT, Wike, said President Tinubu was completing all ongoing projects to make Abuja residents comfortable.
The Minister said that the project was awarded in 2013 at N39.8bn but revised to N59.9bn in 2021, adding that it was partly funded by SUKUK.
“This is 11 years that we have been battling on how to make life easy for our people. That is why the whole essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda is that we will make people feel comfortable; we will bring back your hope and this is what we are doing today.
“Mr President said every uncompleted project must be completed and I thank God almighty that we are doing that today,” he said.
Wike thanked Tinubu and his team, the leadership of the National Assembly, and the Area Councils’ Chairmen for all the necessary support that contributed to the achievements so far.
He added that under the Tinubu-led administration, the FCT Administration was also intervening in the education sector to ensure total rehabilitation of all schools that were not in good condition.
He equally said that the health sector was also receiving due attention, including rural roads across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Wike said, “Why people are having their hope back is because, before they only heard about the government, but they did not see the impact of the government. But with the renewed hope agenda, governments exist, and they can feel the pulse of government. That is the essence of the renewed hope agenda. For those who think it is a mere talk, if you come to Abuja, you will know that it is a reality.”
The Minister also attributed the success being recorded so far to teamwork and advised the Mandate Secretaries against delay of files.
“You have to make sure that files don’t remain in your office for a certain number of days, if I see, I will transfer you to a place where there is no work,” he warned.
On her part, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that the increased accessibility provided by the OSEX would facilitate economic growth and development in the nation’s capital city.ba
“The benefits of city road expansion are manifold, ranging from improved traffic flow and economic growth to enhanced quality of life for residents,” Mahmoud added.
Also, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Shehu Ahmad, explained that the OSEX was one of the boundary roads defining the Federal Capital City on the southern flank.
Ahmad said that the OSEX extended to about 67 kilometres, from the Villa Roundabout up to the Gwagwalada to link with the Federal Highway.
He explained that the development was in phases which began in the early 1980s.
He added that as a segment of the 67-kilometre expressway, the FCTA had completed about 6.7 kilometres, representing 10 per cent, from the Villa Roundabout to Apo Roundabout.
Also present at the commissioning were President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Chairman, Senate Committee on Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, David Jimkuta; Chairman, House Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Hon. Agbedi Fred; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, and National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
