Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has said the ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja’s satellite communities are part of deliberate efforts by the Tinubu administration to end years of neglect in rural areas and boost economic activities outside the city centre.
Wike spoke on Wednesday during an inspection of Body of Benchers annex building several road projects were nearing completion and would be inaugurated as part of activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
ongoing projects across the FCT, where he expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on major roads and public facilities expected to be inaugurated during President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary.
“Today is a very good day. The work at the Body of Benchers annex building is 95 per cent completed. The furniture has been installed and what is left is just to tidy up a few things,” Wike said.
He also inspected the access road to the complex being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), describing the project as a quality job delivered on schedule.
“The road has been completed and they are now putting up the street lights. That road will be part of the projects to be inaugurated during Mr. President’s third anniversary,” he stated.
Wike further visited the completed Tudun Wada road project linking Old Ushafa Road, where he disclosed that asphalt laying and installation of streetlights would be concluded within days.
The minister said the administration was focused on extending infrastructure to rural and satellite communities in line with President Tinubu’s directive to open up underserved areas of the FCT.
“My greatest happiness is that we have also started going to Zuba. The entire communities around that axis will now be opened up. That is what development is all about opening up the satellite areas as directed by Mr. President,” he said.
Commending contractors handling the projects, Wike praised their commitment to timely delivery and quality execution.
“I am so impressed with the quality of the job and the timely completion. I commend the contractors for fulfilling their promise that they will complete the projects on time,” he added.
The minister also dismissed allegations that Area Council administrations were underutilising allocations because of increased intervention by the FCT Administration in infrastructure development.
“I don’t know about that. Those who elected them should take action if there are issues,” he said.
Wike noted that Area Councils contend with huge salary obligations, particularly payment of primary school teachers, insisting that allegations of fund mismanagement were unfair.
“How much do they receive monthly and how much goes into payment of teachers’ salaries? People make assertions without having the facts,” he stated.
On the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, Wike expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, insisting that the process was transparent and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“All I know is that we have completed our screening and the primaries are going on. INEC officials were present at the primaries and I am happy with the way the PDP is conducting the process,” he said.
