The drive by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Nyesom Wike for infrastructure boost in Abuja has led a new plan to expand the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring 1 to Ring Road II, also known as Lokogoma Junction.
Minister Wike said that the intervention was part of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the nation’s capital aimed at opening up the city.
Speaking to journalists after an inspection exercise on the inspection of the ongoing construction of the left-hand service carriageway of the OSEX from Ring Road 1 (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway) to Wasa Junction, Wike said that the expansion of the road will reduce traffic bottlenecks around the area and enhance business operations in the Abuja capital city.
A statement by the Director of Press in the Minister’s office Tony Ogunleye said Wike expressed satisfaction with the speed and quality of work on the road project being undertaken by CGC Group, as well as confidence that the six-lane dual carriage way expansion, from Ring road 1 to Ring road 11, being proposed on the road will be executed by the contractor.
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“We came out from the OSEX where you saw what CGC is doing on the left hand service carriageway of two lanes. Now we want to expand because that alone will not reduce the traffic bottleneck.
“So, there is a need that we have to do another six lanes to take it down to Lokogoma. In that case, we will be able to reduce the traffic by about 95 percent”.
On the Apo Mechanic Village traders along the road corridor of the OSEX, the Minister assured that the Committee on the relocation of the traders was doing its job to relocate them to a permanent site in Wasa in the overriding interest of the public.
He said the traders were already aware that the road project will pass through the area, adding that the FCTA was not envisaging any problem on the issue of relocating the traders.
The Minister said, “The Committee is doing their work. You know that the road is going to pass through that area. So, that is not going to be a problem. We have told them that when we get to that point, they have no choice but to leave for the interest of everybody. It’s not for anybody’s particular interest. It’s for the public”.
While reiterating that the Renewed Hope Agenda was real in the FCT and not just mere rhetoric, Barrister Wike equally stressed that the FCTA was committed to the provision of infrastructure in the Abuja city centre and the satellite towns in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
He said, “It is the directive of Mr. President to see that all areas, not only the city but also in the satellite towns are all opened up with road infrastructure. You will not believe it now that all the roads we are doing in the satellite towns are going to be provided with solar street lights, which has never happened.
“So, it is wonderful, we are happy with what we are seeing and we are happy with what the contractors are doing. Indeed, the renewed hope agenda is working, it’s a reality. People can see with their eyes. It’s not that you are told,” the Minister noted.
