By Remi Johnson
Abuja, the nation’s capital, witnessed massive critical infrastructural development at the city centre and its sub urban areas in 2024.
In this special report, correspondent Remi Johnson reviews the infrastructural feats as well as improved security attained under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The coming of Mr Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT was indeed a new dawn in the completion of abandoned projects and construction of new ones, improved security, administrative reforms as well as breaking new grounds in revenue generation in the nation’s Capital.
Without doubt, the FCT Administration within the year 2024, specifically recorded significant milestones in road construction that have transformed the Abuja landscape, including rural communities, giving the territory a new look.
Some of these projects within the year under review include; the completion of Saburi-1 connecting Dei-dei road, commencement of the A2-Pai Road in Kwali with promise to upgrade Kwali Technical Science School, commencement of office Annex for the Body Of Benchers, 3km Access Road to New EFCC Academy Site in Giri District, and commissioning of 10 Staff Quarters For the FCT Law School in Bwari.
The FCTA also began the construction of the 10.5km Kabusa-Ketti Road with the promise of a New Sch in the area, began the 9.8km Kabusa- Takushara Access Road among others.
The Etsu of Kwali, HRH Luka Ayedoo Nizzazo lll, described Wike’s feats on infrastructure development in the FCT as unprecedented, adding that Wike is the true definition of Renewed Hope, who had used his wealth of experience to bring governance closer to the people at the grassroots.
” You have constructed several roads in Kwali. The people are happy. We want to take total ownership of you Honourable Minister. We will give you our indigene letter, we will add a name to the names you have. And the name I have chosen is in my dialect and is called ‘Shegansa’ meaning Heaven Shares Opportunities”.
Mr Andrew Ajayi who deals in Fridge and Air Condition sales, repairs and maintenance in Nyanya said ” honestly, that man called Wike don try for Abuja. See that Apo road, see that road going to Maitama, see that other road that entered Asokoro, see everywhere, make we give am hand o”.
Also, Mr Sunday Isaac residing in Lugbe testified that the FCT Minister had written his name in gold in the hearts of residents, listed some roads and other interventions Wike executed within 16 months in office, describing it as ‘wonder of the century’.
“This is wonder of the century.Wike has really worked. He empowered 80 youths with 80 vehicles to feed their families. He is really Mr Project. Where will I start from? He has transformed everywhere all over Abuja. Go to Paikon- kore- Ibwa road, go to Radio House market road in Gwagwalada, go to Saburi 1&2 – Dei dei road, go to Kuje and Kwali axis, Nyesom Wike is a blessing to FCT” Isaac said.
Similarly, while on a feedback mission Mrs Justina Ochoche selling roasted plantain and beans cake at Saburi 1- Dei-dei road and Mr Nicholas Emmanuel into furniture business, said Nyesom Wike has come to wipe the tears of residents of Saburi, as well as saved them from the dust usually inhaled during harmattan and the impassable muddy slippery encounter during raining season.
” God will bless Wike even in the coming generations because of what he did for us in Saburi and Dei Dei,” Ochoche said.
At a visit to Saburi 1 Dakachi Palace, the Village Head, Alhaji Muhammad Yamawo prayed for long life and more grace for the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for remembering the people of Saburi community after several years of disconnect and wilderness experience by past administrations.
According to Alhaji Yamawo,”This road is like a new bride to the people of Saburi …we had suffered alot due to the absence of a good road in Saburi, but we are happy that Wike has finally wiped our tears”.
On Security, the Minister distributed 100 specialized motorcycles to vigilante groups to help them navigate difficult terrains, and 100 sets of brand new operational vehicles to security agencies to enable them take the war to the doorsteps of the criminals.
The FCT Minister also sounded a note of warning to one-chance operators, kidnappers, criminals, and their informants to vacate the Territory.
The Director of Security, Adamu Gwarry confirmed that the intervention of FCT Minister had yielded positive results as residents can now sleep with their two eyes closed, including the ongoing construction of 12 police stations across the six Area Councils.
In the area of health, while pregnant women were given free anti- natal care, efforts are still ongoing to provide health insurance for all, especially the elderly irrespective of whether they are government workers or not.
There is also an ongoing rehabilitation of Gwarimpa, Gwagwalada, and Utako Hospitals.
In education and portable water, there’s massive work ongoing to complete “Greater Abuja Water Project’ and rehabilitation of 19 public primary and secondary schools across the territory under the leadership of Nyesom Wike.
Towards strengthening the traditional institution for effective governance of their communities, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike within the year under review coronated and gave Staff of Office to four Chiefs from Karu, Kwali, Pai, and Yaba communities .
Other projects completed within the year under review were the Vice President’s Residence, the Abuja Rail Mass Transit system, Inner Southern Expressway from the Outer Southern Expressway to the Southern Parkway as well as the flag off of ongoing construction of three bus terminals in the FCT and the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal Complex.
Also, the city witnessed completion of the engineering infrastructure in Guzape District Lot II, massive resurfacing of dilapidated roads in urban areas, full scope development of Outer Southern Expressway from Villa Roundabout to Ring Road 1 Junction, and construction of Southern Parkway from the Christian Centre to Ring Road 1, named after President Bola Tinubu.
Others are the completion of the B6 (Constitution Avenue)/B12 Independence Avenue roads in Central Area, Arterial Road N-20, from Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Expressway to Murtala Mohammed Expressway, named after Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, as well as the Wuye interchange bridge.
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