By Eunice Orike
In its drive towards the improvement and development of the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has flagged-off the rehabilitation of Aguma Palace-Radio Nigeria-New Market road in the Gwagwalada Area Council.
The road which is a 10km road is expected to be completed in 12 months.
Speaking during the flag-off exercise, the Minister
assured Abuja residents, particularly those in the six area councils, that they would feel the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s government.
He hinted that his administration was not only concentrating in the statelite towns, but also focusing on the welfare of all the area councils.
“September last year one of the first things we did was to visit all the area councils and you will agree with me that the Honourable Minister of State and my humble self were here in Gwagwalada to interact with you to discuss with you to see how you are feeling to let you know that this administration is not the administration that will sit in the city.
“It is the administration that will make sure the area councils feel the impact of government and governance. We never sat down in the city to decide what we are going to do for you”, he said.
Wike explained that President Bola Tinubu had directed that all the area councils in the FCT should be given whatever they ask for.
“We came to a town hall meeting and in the course of our interaction, you.said one of the major problems you have was to construct the Paiko road, you said we should do the old market road, the Aguma Palace road and Radio Nigeria road. And we told you if that is what you want consider it done because on our coming that day Mr President had directed that whatever you ask, we should give it to you and today by the special grace of God one of the requests you made is for the construction of this very important road.”, he said.
He assured the residents of the area councils that gone were the days of abandoned projects, adding that by next year the contract will be commissioned.
According to him, “this is not the time when contracts are awarded and contract is abandoned
This contract has been awarded, this contract has been flagged-off today and this contract will be commissioned next year.”
The Minister further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has chosen Gwagwalada area council as one of the area councils to be supplied with potable water.
He added that the president has also directed that all serving ministers in government should establish relationship with their subjects.
“Mr President has also directed; you cannot be a minister, and the people you are serving do not know you. You cannot be in my government, and the people you say you are working for cannot see you”, he said.
Wike also called on all Gwagwalada residents to support the contractors in the timely execution of the project, and implored the contractors to use the avenue to employ the youths who do not have jobs to work and earn a living.
“And let me also implore the contractor to please make sure that our youths who do not have jobs are also employed to work, to earn a living.”,he said.
Continuing, the Minister urged the contractor of the project to utilize the dry season to make sure that the work is carried out well.
“Please the contractor, now we are having dry season, utilize this period to make sure the work is carried out well. So as we have it now, utilize the opportunity and make sure we have no problem of delay”, he added.