Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, February 1, vowed to further ensure that criminals do not have rest in the nation’s capital.
This is following the incessant kidnapping in Abuja.
Wike made the vow on Thursday while inaugurating an emergency construction and rehabilitation of the nine-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road, in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT to promote rural development.
Wike said the project was part of 30-kilometre roads that would be constructed across the six area councils of the territory.
He assured the residents that President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda was not mere talk but action.
He explained that the road construction was designed to make rural dwellers comfortable and open rural communities for development.
He added that two additional roads would be constructed in each of the area councils before the end of the year, to make it three rural roads per area council.
The minister blamed the spate of rural-urban migration on the lack of roads and other basic amenities needed to make life comfortable.
According to him, the project will not only address insecurity but will equally improve access to schools, enable evacuation of farm produce to the market and boost economic activities.
The minister assured the contractor that funding would not be a problem, stressing that he would accept nothing short of the expected quality.
Wike said: “No criminal will sleep in FCT. We are after them and no rest for them. Funding will not be a problem but do it well; the people are entitled to quality roads.
“I will not tell you when I will come here for inspection. I will not also depend on a report from the director overseeing the project. What I will depend on is what I see with my own eyes.”
Similarly, the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, pointed out that the lack of access roads in communities had stagnated development in rural areas.
Mahmoud said that construction of the rural roads across the six area councils would not only open the rural communities for trade and commerce, but also improve access to market, health care, and education.
“The project is not just about laying down asphalt; it is about connecting communities, improving access, and fostering economic development in our rural areas.
“For too long, the lack of proper road infrastructure has hindered the progress of our rural communities.
“Farmers have struggled to transport their produce to markets; students have faced difficulties reaching schools; and medical emergencies have been compounded by the challenges of accessing timely healthcare.”
Also, Olusegun Olusa, Oversite Director, Satellite Towns Development Department, FCTA, said that benefiting communities were selected due to infrastructural deficits.
Olusa added that the project, awarded to Setraco Nigeria Ltd, would be delivered before May 29 to mark President Tinubu’s one year in office.
Earlier, the chairman, of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mr Abubakar Giri, commended the minister for the gesture, which he described as the first rural project to be executed by the FCT minister in the area.
Giri said the road, when completed, would improve security in rural communities due to improved access to communities and boost the economy of the people.
According to him, 90 percent of the people in the area are farmers, who will benefit immensely from the road projects by evacuating agricultural produce to the market.
In his part, the Chief of the area, the Aguma of Gwagwalada, Mr Mohammad Magaji, thanked the minister for taking the bold step to develop rural communities in the FCT.
Magaji expressed optimism that the project would facilitate development in rural communities which eluded local areas for ages.
He announced that the community has bestowed the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin (warlord) Paikon Kore on the minister and awaiting his approval for coronation.
The Managing Director of Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Mr Ziad Mouannes, promised to deliver the project according to specification.
Mouannes called for the support of the FCT Administration, particularly funding and security to ensure timely completion of the project.
(The Nation)