School pupils of the Gishiri community on Wednesday joined thousands of Abuja residents in beaming excitement with the development strides of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike as he continues to deliver on landmark projects that are impacting lives.
Minister Wike had embarked on a tour of some projects in the Gishiri area, which is known as an underserved area with limited government presence despite its proximity to the city center.
NewsQuest reports that parts of Gishiri have been undergoing demolition recently to make way for a dual carriage road project, a situation that has caused tension among residents, some of whom resisted relocation despite compensation offers by the FCT administration.
Assistant Director of Press in the Minister’s office, Rabi Musa in a statement, that the highlight of Minister Wike’s inspection visit ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s project commissioning in the nation’s capital, was ‘the sight of excited and jubilating school children ‘in the Gishiri community who came to felicitate with him during the tour.
The statement quoted Wike as saying that President Tinubu has promised to be part of the commissioning of completed projects across the territory, to commemorate his second anniversary.
Speaking to journalists during the inspection of some of the completed projects in the Abuja city centre, Minister Wike said that the commissioning activities will begin on Tuesday, 10th June 2025, immediately after the Salah holidays, with the flag-off ceremony of the newly rehabilitated International Conference Centre.
“I can confirm to you that Mr. President has finally approved the commissioning of projects to start on the 10th of June, which is on Tuesday after the Salah holiday and that will start with the International Conference Centre”, the Minister said.
According to Minister Wike, President Tinubu will personally commission 10 signature projects across the FCT, including roads, public buildings, and urban infrastructure.
The Minister disclosed that Vice President Kashim Shettima will represent the President in commissioning three projects, while the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas will commission two projects each on behalf of the President, including projects in the area councils.
“I can tell you Mr. President has agreed to commission one or two projects in the satellite towns and then the Vice President will commission and then the Senate President will commission. So, all of them will have a feeling to go to the satellite towns and let the people see that for the first time, they can feel the impact of governance from the federal level and then see their president and the leadership of the country”, he said.
According to the FCT Minister, “On the whole, we have 17 projects but because of time, we on our own can do the other commissioning”.
Minister Wike, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to unveil the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT.
He said, “We are very happy that Mr. President has given us an opportunity to also contribute to the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda. We are very happy that all the promises we made, we have been able to accomplish them.
“Look at the reactions from the people; if the people are happy, we are also happy. We can’t express how elated we are but we give God almighty the glory and thank Mr. President for all his support”.
Wike also commended the legislature for their consistent support in ensuring that all budgetary allocations required for the projects were approved on time, which he said has been crucial to FCT’s accomplishments.
Speaking on the long-term management of the International Conference Centre, the Minister confirmed that he will be directly involved in the supervision of the facility, adding that a management agreement will be signed with Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, ensuring the facility maintains international standards.
“This will not be business as usual. The era of handing over national assets to be mismanaged is over. We will ensure professional maintenance under strict supervision”, Minister Wike added.
The Minister used the opportunity to extend his warm wishes to FCT residents for the upcoming Salah celebrations, expressing confidence that security would be maintained to ensure a peaceful and joyous celebration. He urged residents to continue to support the President and to use the Salah period to foster national unity for Nigeria’s collective benefit.
