Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, flagged off the construction of the 15.4-kilometer Pai-Gomani road project in Kwali Area Council.
Speaking during the flag-off exercise, Barr. Wike reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to providing infrastructure in the FCT Area Councils.
He stressed that the construction of the road project in the largely agrarian community of Kwali will improve access to the farmlands and enhance food security in the nation’s capital.
The minister, while stressing that the FCT Administration was focused on delivering the dividends of democracy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, said, “The government of President Ahmed Tinubu will allow everybody to benefit, to participate, to have the dividends of democracy.
Speaking further, the Minister said, “That is what I have told our people. Mr. President has promised you, give me time, be patient, I will get to all of you. All the Area Councils must have the impact of the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the President and Commander in Chief”.
Continuing, the Minister said, “I want to say clearly let everybody hear me; I did not become a Minister to come and sell land. I took this position to support Mr. President to improve the infrastructure of the FCT. That is why every day, our concern is infrastructure and infrastructure, be it in the city or rural areas”.
Barr. Wike, while stressing that the FCTA was committed to improving residents’ living conditions, called for their continued support for the government, irrespective of political divides, to ensure the completion of ongoing road projects.
He said, “Whether you are in PDP, whether you are in APC, whether you don’t even believe in any party, you must use this road. So, this road is very important. No matter how far it is, we will make out from time to time to see that we come here and see if the contractor is doing what he is supposed to do”.
He commended the Area Council Chairman for their commitment to service and also thanked the traditional rulers for their continued support of the FCT Administration.
The FCT Minister also expressed displeasure at the non-award of the contract for the construction of Road A2, which connects the Pai community to the Abuja/Lokoja expressway, and promised to present a request for virement to the National Assembly for the construction of the road as an emergency project.
He, however, assured the contractor of adequate funding and called for the project’s timely completion, even as he warned FCTA officials against delaying the processes for payment to the contractor.
In his goodwill message, Senator David Jimkuta, chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister for their commitment to rural infrastructure in the FCT Area Council and pledged the continued support of the National Assembly for the FCT Administration.
In his goodwill message, the member representing Abuja South in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulrahman Ajiya, said the projects being flagged off in the FCT have renewed the people’s hope and rekindled their confidence in the government.
Hon. Ajiya added that the Pai-Gomani road will open up opportunities for farmers in Kwali Area Council, ensure quick response to security challenges in the area, and assured of the continued support of the people for the FCT Administration.
On his part, the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon Danladi Chiya, expressed the collective commitment of the Area Council Chairmen to providing rural infrastructure to complement the efforts of the FCT Minister.
He thanked the FCT Minister for undertaking the construction of the Pai-Gomani road and urged him to also make time to visit the Area Councils to see the projects being executed by the Council Chairmen.
Highlighting the scope of work for the project, the Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkifilu, said the 15.4-kilometer Pai—Gomani road has a completion timeline of 12 months. He added that the project will foster unity by connecting communities with shared prosperity and thanked the FCT Minister for his visionary leadership in the FCT.
