Follow Us on Google
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said on Wednesday that the Bola Tinubu administration’s infrastructure push in Abuja is deliberately aimed at opening up satellite towns — not just beautifying the city centre — so residents of outlying communities can access markets, schools, healthcare and jobs.
Inspecting multiple projects across the capital, Wike highlighted that the Body of Benchers annex and its access road — handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) — are almost complete and ready for inauguration during President Tinubu’s third anniversary. He described the quality and speed of work as proof that targeted investments can quickly improve connectivity for fringe communities.
“Today is a very good day. The work at the Body of Benchers annex building is 95 per cent completed. The furniture has been installed, and what is left is just to tidy up a few things,” Wike said.
“The road has been completed, and they are now putting up the streetlights. As I said, that road will be part of the projects to be inaugurated during Mr President’s third anniversary,” he added, after inspecting the access road to the complex.
Wike further inspected the completed Tudun Wada road project linking Old Ushafa Road, where he said asphalt work and installation of streetlights would be concluded within days. He said the administration’s major focus is to extend infrastructure development beyond the city centre to rural and satellite communities.
Other News
“My greatest happiness is that we have also started going to Zuba. The entire communities around that axis will now be opened up. That is what development is all about: opening up the satellite areas as directed by Mr President,” he said.
The minister commended contractors handling the various projects for keeping to agreed timelines while maintaining quality standards. “I am so impressed with the quality of the job and the timely completion. I commend the contractors for fulfilling their promise that they will complete the projects on time,” Wike added.
Responding to concerns that Area Council chairmen were allegedly underutilising allocations because of the FCT Administration’s intervention in infrastructure development, the minister dismissed the claims as unfounded.
“I don’t know about that. Those who elected them should take action if there are issues,” he said.
Wike noted that most area councils grapple with huge salary obligations, especially the payment of teachers, insisting that claims that allocations were being wasted lacked a factual basis. “How much do they receive monthly, and how much goes into payment of teachers’ salaries? People make assertions without having the facts,” he stated.
The minister also commented briefly on the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise. “All I know is that we have completed our screening, and the primaries are going on. INEC officials were present at the primaries, and I am happy with the way the PDP is conducting the process,” Wike said.
