By Eunice Orike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he is not interested in how much local government councils in the territory get as monthly allocations.
Wike made this declaration at the flag-off ceremony of the upgrading of War College/Army Check point and other ancillary roads in Bwari Area Councils.
The Minister said, “I don’t even know how much they get. I have never asked. I am not interested to know. I have my own allocation; they have their own allocation. And that is why I support them as Minister, and I have no apologies to anybody. I have no apologies, but there should be autonomy of local governments.”
Wike disclosed that President Tinubu’s administration had approved the empowerment of indegenious contractors who have capacity and are willing to work, adding that his administration had the zeal to empower all indigenous contractors.
He also lamented over the attitudes of some indigenous contractors, who he accused of spending mobilisation fees on frivolities instead of doing the job given.
“Because my experience has been that some of the indigenous contractors, the moment you mobilize them, the next thing would be to complete their marriage ceremony that for the past three years, they have not done. Just because mobilization has been paid.”, he said.
The Minister, however, expressed confidence on some local contractors, stressing that there are a few them who are really committed.
He said Mr President had directed that indigenous contractors should be empowered.
Speaking further on the road projects, the Minister highlighted the roads President Bola Tinubu had done in the six area councils in the FCT since he came on board, which according to him, include the construction of Maharati road in Abaji, Saburi road in Amac, dualisation of Kuje to Gwagwalada road, rehabilitation of market road to Aguma palace in Gwagwalada.
“When we went to Abaji, we promised that we will do Maharati road. When we went to AMAC, we promised we will do Saburi road; Chairman, AMAC, we promised you we will do Karimo, Life -camp, Dedei road, Tipa carriage to LEA Secretariat.
We said we are are going to dualise Kuje to Gwagwalada.
Is the award going on or not?.
Gwagwalada, we are going to do market road to Aguma palace.
Kabusa, keffi road on Friday I pleaded with Mr. President and he said go ahead and give them.
This is just one year and few months. Is it not government for the people, is it not good governance”, he said.
And also the completion Karshi, Apo road, and the ongoing rehabilitation of Nyanya, Karu, Orozo to Karshi road, among others.
Wike also said the President had taken a step further to make sure there is potable water to drink in three area councils of Abuja, adding that government was willing to continue to do more.
He used the opportunity to urge all land owners in FCT to pay their ground rent to enable government to do more roads and provide infrastructure in the FCT.
“Go and pay your ground rent that is what I use to do all these roads, there is no oil in Abuja the only oil we have is pay your ground rent so that I will be able to do all these roads. Some of you have been saying when you get to Abuja you miss your roads, it is with money that we use to construct the roads that you no longer know where you are going to. So please I urge you let us do our own part when you do your own part and government does not do their own, then you can ask questions, ask minister of FCT, ask minister of state FCT what were you doing with all the taxes you are paying”, he said.
However, Wike said that some people may never see reasons to appreciate the government’s efforts, no matter how good and hard they try.
“Some people are like that. No matter what you do, they will never be happy. If you like, give them everything in life, they will never be happy. As far as infrastructure is concerned, by the time this administration finishes in 2027. I believe that we will be able to see the difference all together.
In her vote of thanks, the Minister of State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the significant project, which will undoubtedly enhance the infrastructure of the rural area and improve the quality of life for residents.
“The upgrading of the War College/Army Check Point and these vital ancillary roads will not only facilitate transportation but also stimulate economic growth and development”, she said.
On his part, the Coordinator of Satellite Towns Development Department, Zulkiflu Abdulkadir, while giving the project overview said, the scope of the project is as follows: Upgrading of Roads, Site Clearance and Earthworks, 150mm thick lateritic sub – base, 150mm thick crushed stone base,60mm thick Asphaltic Binder Cours, 40mm thick Asphaltic Wearing Course, Construction of box and pipe culverts of different sizes, Construction of trapezoidal concrete lined drain, Construction of Access Slabs and Culverts and Installation of Solar Street Light.