By Remi Johnson
Residents of Gwagwalada Area Council are rejoicing over the completion of the 9km Paikon -Kore-Ibwa rural road project that has brought respite their way. .
Some Gwagwalada residents who made this known in Abuja when the FCT Minister’s Press Corps independently visited the area for feedback, said the project completion has alleviated the sufferings of the people, boosted security and socio-economic activities in the council.
The Aguma of Gwagwalada, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Magaji, said the paikon- kore Ibwa road was impassable some years back until the coming of Nyesom Wike as the FCT Minister, who is determined to meet the yearnings of rural dweller.
Umar Faruk Abubakar who is a traditional stakeholder in the palace spoke on behalf of the Aguma of Gwagwalada, who is currently outside the country for a Lesser Hajj.
His words: “Years before now, if you are asked to go to Ibwa, you begin to think, are you going to fly or do you need a helicopter to go? But today, in the infinite mercy of God Almighty, the Honorable Minister of Federal Capital Territory…has done it.
“So, we are thanking him most sincerely for what he has done for us in Gwagwalada Area Council. May God continue to preserve him”.
Magaji however stressed the need for the construction company handling the project to expedite action in the completion of Gwagwalada market – Aguma -Palace – Radio Nigeria ongoing roads before the coming of the rains.
“I want to say that the Honorable Minister of FCT has done a very wonderful job that was abandoned by previous administration in Gwagwalada…The only request we have now, is the Radio House – Aguma Palace road down to Kasuwan dere, down to the Demonstration primary school, link up with the Army checkpoint.”
Also, the Liaison Officer Paikonkore-Ibwa community, Ibrahim Umar, said the road aside from improving movement of humans and goods, it has also enhanced efforts at addressing the security challenges in the area.
According to Umar, with the completion of the bridges and roads, the farmers could now transport their farm produce easily from the hinterlands to the markets.
In his words: “For quiet decades, we find it difficult to transport our farm produce to the city centre especially Gwagwalada towns, and its environs, but we are happy that we can do so now with ease.
“The main bridge that cut the two communities off, and during raining season we find it very difficult to cross it particularly for students in primary school, students of SS 1, JSS 3, especially around August and September, they find it difficult to cross to places to where their schools are located.
“But because the bridge has been done now successfully, I believe that during raining season now, anybody can go to wherever they wish to go.We are thanking President Bola Tinubu who had made it possible to appoint Barrister Nyesom Wike as FCT minister, who deemed it fit to link the rural communities to other part of the territory. We feel very proud of having him in FCT”.
Another shop owner into an interior decoration sales Mr Charles Eyo, said the road has revived their businesses.
“I don’t know how to express my mind to Mr. Minister for what he has done, for God to use him, and give us a good road to improve our business, I am so happy. I just pray that the good Lord will keep blessing him and upholding him and Nigeria at large.”
For Yahaya Abdullahi, Japhet Adamu and Daniel Kaji, that spoke on the job opportunities, the recruitment of some locals by the companies handling the road construction project had changed their jobless status to employed status.