WIKE REITERATES PRESIDENT TINUBU’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE RURAL POPULACE
… AS HE COMMISSIONS 5 KM DUALISED ASPHALT CARRIAGEWAY IN KUJE
L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters Senator David Jimkuta Chairman House Committee on FCT Area Councils, Hon Fred Agbedi,, FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike, Coordinator Satellite Towns Development Department Hon Abdulkadir Zulkiflu and Chairman, Kuje Area Council, Hon Abdulkahi Sabo during the commissioning ceremony of the 5km Kuje Town dual carriage way on Thursday.
1. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Thursday, January 23 officially commissioned the newly reconstructed 5 kilometer asphalt carriageway from Garage Junction to LEA Secretariat in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
2. During the ceremony, the Minister reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope Agenda to improving infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for residents. He highlighted the importance of the road project, emphasizing that it would significantly improve connectivity within Kuje and enhance its overall development.
3. Stressing that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was dedicated to fulfilling the promises made to the people of Kuje, the Minister assured that the long-awaited completion of the FCT Highway 105 from Airport Road to Kuje, a project initiated by the previous administration, was also nearing its homestretch.
4. He recalled a previous engagement with stakeholders in Kuje, where the traditional ruler had also requested the dualisation of the road, saying that President Tinubu equally gave a directive to ensure the completion of the project.
5. He said, “That road was awarded by the previous administration at the cost of about N59 billion to Arab contractors. Mr. President directed whatever needs to be done, must be done and immediately we called the contractor back.
6. “Today, as we drove coming here, you can see that very soon, you don’t need to leave Kuje to go to the city centre to live. By the time that road is completed, this will be a different town altogether”.
7. The Minister also announced that the government has approved the provision of a road project from Kuje to Pegi, a crucial step in improving regional connectivity.
Panoramic view of the 5km Kuje Town dual carriageway…Thursday
8. Barr. Wike while also responding to a request by the Kuje Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Mohammed, for the extension of the FCT Highway 105 to Kwaku, assured that the necessary budgetary provisions would be made to ensure construction of this project.
9. He said, “Let me say it now, by the grace of God, when we are presenting our statutory budget to the National Assembly, we will include it.”
10. Addressing the issue of water supply, the Minister informed the residents that President Tinubu had approved a N50 billion budget to provide water to satellite towns, including Kuje. This initiative, he said, aims to address the critical water needs of the community, showcasing the government’s commitment to essential services.
11. The Minister while also emphasizing that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not about party politics but about improving the lives of all Nigerians, urged the community to continue to support the government in its efforts to deliver on its promises.
12. He stressed the importance of communication and collaboration between the government and the people, stating, “It is only in this administration of the President, Tinubu, that you can have the opportunity, that government can sit down with you and ask you questions and say, what do you want? And you say you want this. And government goes ahead to do it.”
13. The Minister also expressed deep gratitude to the National Assembly for their unwavering support in the development of the FCT. This strong partnership, the Minister highlighted, has enabled the FCT to achieve a remarkable 90% implementation rate for all budgeted projects.
14. He said, “We cannot thank you enough, because anything Mr. President has brought to you as regards the FCT, you have never hesitated. You have always given approval.”
15. Barrister Wike while also commending the construction company, Gilmor for the high quality work, further praised their corporate social responsibility initiatives and encouraged other companies to follow Gilmor’s example.
16. He said, “I want urge other companies, remove a small percentage of your profit, contribute to the development of the community where you are working. It will not make you to be poor. Rather it will make us to give you more jobs because you care for our people”.
17. Reiterating the FCT Administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, the Minister said the government owes a duty to the people to explain how taxpayers’ money is being spent. He stressed that the series of project inaugurations was evidence of how taxpayers funds were being spent and announced that a grand celebration is planned for May to showcase the significant achievements of President Tinubu in the FCT within his first two years in office.
18. He said, “I have told people who care, ask us, when we say pay your ground rent, pay your money for C of O, ask us what are we doing with the money. We owe you a duty to let you know taxes paid must be used for the interest of the people.”
19. Earlier, the Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, while acknowledging the impact of the 5 kilometer dualized asphalt carriageway in Kuje, said it will enhance mobility, boost trade and foster unity among the people, adding that it will bring numerous benefits to both the residents and visitors of the area.
20. The Chairman, Kuje Area Council also thanked President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for the provision of infrastructure in the FCT Area Councils.
21. Speaking metaphorically, the Chairman described the FCT Minister as a heavy rain of blessing on the people of the FCT.
ANTHONY OGUNLEYE
DIRECTOR PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE MINISTER)
FCTA/ODP/PR/638
23/01/2025