Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared several critical road and infrastructure projects across Abuja ready for formal inauguration by June this year.
The declaration followed an extensive inspection tour conducted by the Minister on Monday, ahead of scheduled commissioning to mark the third anniversary celebration of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
A statement by the Deputy Director Press in the Minister’s office Rabi Musa said during the tour, which covered the Renewed Hope City Access Road in Karsana District, Old Keffi Road Rehabilitation, FCT Highway 105 (Airport Road to Kuje), Kuje to Gwagwalada Road (Phase 1) and City Gate remodeling, Wike expressed immense satisfaction with the pace and quality of work across various sites, describing the day as “one of the happiest days” given that the anticipated projects are now primed for inauguration.
Minister Wike disclosed that the construction of the access road to the Renewed Hope City in Karsana which is a critical infrastructure designed to unlock access to thousands of affordable housing units in the FCT was 98% completed and commended the construction firm, Lubriks, for delivering an exceptional job on the vital corridor.
The Minister noted that the rehabilitation of the 17km Old Keffi Road stretching from Kado Village and Life Camp junction through to the Dei-Dei axis was officially cleared for commissioning, adding that the contractors were wrapping up the final stages of asphalt paving and street light installations.
Once completed, this critical infrastructure will link populated communities like Saburi, Gwagwa, Idu and Karmo directly to the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) dramatically reducing travel time.
While praising the progress of work on the FCT Highway 105 from Airport Road to Kuje which is being executed by Arab Contractors, Minister Wike described the newly transformed highway as a stellar example of governance in action.
The Minister stated that the Phase 1 of the high quality Kuje to Gwagwalada Road, handled by Gilmor was also completed and has vividly transformed the visual landscape of the entire Kuje area.
“It’s a very fantastic job. I am sure anybody who goes there will admire it, and that is what is called governance.
“That is showcasing governance. I am very proud of the contractor, that is Arab Contractors. We are very proud of what they have done”, the Minister stated.
Rounding off the tour at the Abuja City Gate remodeling project, Minister Wike said the initiative was on track for a formal handover by early June and would successfully give the nation’s capital a modern, welcoming new look.
He stated that the landmark face-lift project being handled by Julius Berger Plc, was the visionary brainchild of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and lauded her supportive role in the administration.
“This is what you have when you have a good woman who means well for the administration of her husband. I am talking about the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. This is her brainchild. I am sure she will be happy with what she has seen. I am very happy with Julius Berger, and pleased with the quality of the job, and I am sure anybody, whoever passes here in the night, will see a different scene when they are coming into the city, the capital of Nigeria,” Wike stated.
Addressing recent political developments in his home state of Rivers State, specifically the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election, Minister Wike said that he was unsurprised by the emergence of Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda as the APC governorship flagbearer in Rivers State, describing Chinda as an experienced, highly qualified material whose track record in both the executive and legislature speaks for itself.
Commenting on the late withdrawal of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the contest, Minister Wike reproved the Governor for picking the APC gubernatorial nomination form, despite agreeing not to run for second term as a condition for the State Assembly to drop the impeachment proceedings against him.
He said, “In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form because the agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not talk about a second term. Collecting the form first didn’t show signs of gentlemanship…
“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn, and somebody has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress,” he added.
