Wike flags off construction of 10.5km access roads

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, on Friday flagged off the construction of 10.5 kilometres of access roads servicing the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Abuja’s Karsana District, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The project, spanning roads N11, N16, N40, and SILS 03, is set for completion within 18 months and aligns with the ongoing Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

At the flag-off ceremony, Wike underscored the significance of the road infrastructure to fulfilling promises made to residents and enhancing the overall development of the FCT. “The provision of access roads is critical to the rapid and sustainable development of any city,” he stated. He assured that the roads would stimulate real estate growth and economic activities within the district.

Recalling the President’s directive during last year’s flag-off of the Renewed Hope Estate, Wike said, “Mr President directed that the FCT should provide infrastructure in terms of road network to link up the new estate and other estates within the district.”

He praised the contractor Lubricks for their early mobilisation, saying, “That shows confidence in us, and we won’t take it for granted. We want to say a big thank you to you for believing in the FCT administration.”

Wike highlighted the fundamental role of road networks in city development: “No city can be said to be a city without a good network of roads. Of all these houses you are seeing here, without any network of roads, it makes no sense. If you want to bring a hospital or build schools here without roads, it makes no sense. The first thing you must provide to attract investors is the road network, which is what we are doing.”

He assured residents of Karsana: “We have discussed with the contractors and will do everything within our powers to ensure funds are available so that during the third anniversary of Mr President, we would inaugurate this road network.”

Wike urged the contractors to keep to their promises as they had done previously and commended the Executive Secretary of FCDA and his team for ensuring quality and timely completion of road projects. “This is a promise made by the Renewed Hope Agenda under the leadership of His Excellency, The President and Commander-in-Chief. It’s a promise made and a promise kept.”

Earlier, Acting Head of Service FCT, Nancy Nathan, described the project as a strategic intervention that would ease traffic congestion by providing a vital link between Karsana District and other parts of Abuja.