Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu-led administration expended over N300 billion on infrastructure across the six area councils in the last one year.
Wike made this disclosure on Wednesday during the commissioning ceremony of the newly constructed Paikon Kore- Ibwa road in Gwagwalada, one of the six Area Councils of the FCT.
The minister explained that part of the amount was the N50 billion spent on Paikon Kore Ibwa road, reconstruction of Aguma palace road, renovation of five secondary schools and the construction of two police divisions all in Gwagwalada Area Council.
He expressed President Tinubu’s commitment to not only the city, but satelite towns.
He added that Tinubu believes that governance is about seeking the people’s buy-in in every project meant for their well being.
According to Wike, “For this road, the president has committed N8. 5 billion. If you are asking what he has done for the people of Gwagwalada Area Council, put it on record now. In Aguma Palace road, Mr President has committed N22 billion and that road will be commissioned in May this year. As I speak to you, we are renovating five secondary schools in Gwagwalada, one is the School for the Gifted, Government Secondary School Gwagwalada, GSS Anagada, GSS Tugan Make and GSS Giri. They will cost N16 billion.
“I have not calculated the two police divisions that we are building in Gwagwalada, in order to enhance the security of this area. If you add the total value of what the president has committed to Gwagwalada alone, you are talking about over N50 billion, for one area council. If you now add the six area councils taking that Gwagwalada is the least, you will see that in a year, he has committed to the development of satellite towns, not less than N300 billion.
“It is important for people to have this record because, you see they will go out and say they are only developing the city, nothing is happening in area councils”.
The minister also promised to build Ibwa bridge as requested by the leadership of the area council, describing it as very important to the community. While granting the request, he attributed it to the love the president has for the people of the council, explaining that the cost will be included in the FCT’s 2025 statutory budget.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator Joel Thomas and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Fred Agbede commended the minister and the minister of state for their dedication to the growth of the FCT, adding that the National Assembly is happy with their performance.
Both lawmakers pledged their support for the FCTA and enjoined residents to continue to support the administration for more dividends of democracy.
In her address, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud described the 9km Paikon Kore-Ibwa road as not just a road network, but a symbol of progress, connectivity and economic growth for the community.
She thanked President Tinubu and the National Assembly for their support for the FCTA and Wike for prioritising the project and ensuring its successful completion.
Speaking, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Abubakar Giri, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Abdullahi Zuba expressed the gratitude of the people of Gwagwalada to the FCT minister for fulfilling the promise to construct Paikon-Kore-Ibwa road.
In his welcome address, the Coordinator, Satelite Town Development Department, Zulkiflu Abdulkadir said the road has made a remarkable difference in the lives of residents, as it has opened business opportunities and enhanced the transportation of goods and services.
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