By Remi Johnson
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu’s rural road initiatives will significantly boost food security, promote mechanized farming, and restore hope to neglected communities.
Wike, who stated this in Abuja during an inspection tour of completed road projects in Bwari, Gwagwalada, and Kwali Area Councils, emphasized the transformative power of infrastructure on rural livelihoods.
The minister recounted his visit to the A2 to Pai road, now completed, and the ongoing Pai to Gomani extension, describing the progress as a game-changer for farmers and rural dwellers.
Wike stressed that road infrastructure is the bedrock of meaningful development, laying the foundation for schools, hospitals, and economic activity.
“Without that road, people who want to do mechanized farming won’t come. So it doesn’t make sense. Road is the centerpiece or the cornerstone of every development in the country or in any state.
“With the roads, other things would come up. You can go and build schools, you can go and build health facilities, but if those roads are not there, it doesn’t make sense. So we are happy with what we have done,” Wike said.
He said the availability of land and water for irrigation in Abuja makes the region a potential food basket for Nigeria, but noted that poor infrastructure had long hindered its productivity.
Wike, who was visibly excited about the rural road openings, said that before now, people could not access the land because of the absence of roads. But with the construction of these roads under the leadership of President Tinubu, farmers can now move their produce with ease, and investors in mechanized farming can now come in.
Dr. Wike further directed the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) Coordinator to engage Zeberced Construction Company, the same firm that handled the A2 to Pai road, under emergency provisions to manage the remaining stretch.
According to Wike, the road stretch, when completed, will be over 40 kilometers from A2 to Yangoji and will open up unprecedented development in that corridor.
“Without roads, other development makes no sense. This is the cornerstone of growth. The dividends of democracy must be felt in the villages, not just in the city centers,” he noted.
The FCT Minister also called on community members to take ownership of the infrastructure provided by the government and emphasized that development is a partnership between government and the people.
“First of all, government has provided the infrastructure. It is for residents to own it so that it will have sustainability. Let people not vandalize or destroy what has been provided. For example, we are providing street lights, and the residents will need to ensure that they also secure these street lights.
“Government cannot do everything.
While we have security agencies, we can also help security agencies by providing useful information. Government has done its part to make life meaningful. Residents should also help the government by protecting what has been provided,” Wike said.
Wike reaffirmed his commitment to continue delivering infrastructural development that improves lives and restores confidence in governance.
“This is what governance should be about, bringing real change and renewed hope to the people,” he stated.