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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITS OVER N300B ON DEVELOPMENT OF FCT AREA COUNCILS

L-R) Member representing Abuja South in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdurrahman Ajiya, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Chairman, House of Representatives on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Hon. Fred Agbede, Vice Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Saidu Zuba during the commissioning of the Paikon Kore-Ibwa road in Gwagwalada on Wednesday

1.   The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu -led administration has committed over 300billion naira, in one year, towards the development of Area Councils of the FCT.

2.   FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike disclosed this on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, during the commissioning of the Paikon Kore – Ibwa road in Gwagwalada Area Council.

3.   Barr. Wike said, of the amount, over N50b was for the development of Gwagwalada Area Council, which includes the renovation of Paikon Kore Ibwa road, the reconstruction of the Aguma palace road, renovation of 5 secondary schools and the building of two police divisions.

4.  The Minister expressed President Tinubu’s commitment to the development of not only the city but the satellite towns and has directed him to provide for the people of the Area Councils whatever they need. He added that Mr. President believes that governance is about seeking the peoples buy-in in every project that is for their well being.

5.   He said, “For this road, the President has committed N8.5b. If you are asking what the President has done for the people of Gwagwalada Area Council, put it on record now. In Aguma Palace road, Mr President has committed N22b and that road will be commissioned in May this year. As I speak to you, we are renovating five secondary schools in Gwagwalada. One is the school for the Gifted. Two, Government Secondary School Gwagwalada. Three, GSS Anagada. Four, GSS Tugan Maje. Five, GSS Giri. For these, N16.5b.

6.    “I have not calculated the two police divisions that we are building in Gwagwalada as we speak now, in order to enhance the security of this area. If you add the total value of what the President has committed to Gwagwalada alone, you are talking about over N50b, for one area council. If you now add the six area councils taking that Gwagwalada is the least, you will see that in a year, the President has committed to the development of satellite towns, not less than N300b.

7.   “It is important for people to have this record because, you see people will go out and say they are only developing the city, nothing is happening in the Area Councils”.

An aerial view of the Paikon Kore-Ibwa road in Gwagwalada Area Council

8.   The Minister also promised to build the Ibwa bridge as requested by the leadership of the Area Council, describing the bridge as very important to the community. While granting the request, the Minister attributed it to the love the President has for the people of the council, explaining that the cost will be included the FCT’s 2025 statutory budget.

9.   In their separate goodwill messages, the Vice Chairman Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator Joel Thomas and the Chairman House of Representative committees on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Honourable Fred Agbede, commended the FCT Minister and Minister of State for their dedication to the growth of the FCT, adding that the National Assembly is happy with their performance. Both lawmakers pledged their support for the FCTA and enjoined residents to continue to support the administration for more dividends of democracy.

10.  In her address, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud described the 9km Paikon Kore-Ibwa road as not just a road network but a symbol of progress, connectivity, and economic growth for the community.

11.  She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly for their support for the FCTA and the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for prioritizing the project and ensuring its successful completion.

12.  Speaking also, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin Giri who was represented by the council’s vice Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Saidu Zuba expressed the gratitude of the people of Gwagwalada to the FCT Minister for fulfilling the promise to construct the Paikon Kore Ibwa road.

13.  In his welcome address, the Coordinator, Satelite Town Development Department, Hon. Zulkiflu Abdulkadir said the road has made a remarkable difference in the lives of residents of the area as it has opened business opportunities and enhanced the transportation of goods and services.

ANTHONY OGUNLEYE

DIRECTOR, PRESS

(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)

22/01/2025

FCTA/ODP/PR/637