The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, stating that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to extending development to satellite communities through massive road construction.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday while inspecting several ongoing and completed projects within the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the minister, the Body of Benchers annex building and several road projects are nearing completion and will be inaugurated as part of activities marking President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
“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.
He also inspected the access road to the complex being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, describing the project as a high-quality job completed within schedule.
“The road has been completed and they are now putting up the street lights. Like I said, that road will be part of the projects to be inaugurated during Mr. President’s third anniversary,” he stated.
The minister further visited the completed Tudun Wada road project linking Old Ushafa Road, where he disclosed that asphalt work and installation of streetlights would be concluded within days.
Wike stressed that the administration’s priority was not limited to the city centre, but also focused on opening up rural and satellite communities through infrastructure expansion.
“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 FCT minister commended contractors handling the projects for meeting 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,” he added.
Responding to concerns that Area Council chairmen were allegedly underutilising allocations due to the intervention of the FCT Administration in infrastructure development, Wike dismissed the claims as baseless.
“I don’t know about that. Those who elected them should take action if there are issues,” he said.
He noted that most Area Councils face significant financial pressure, particularly in the payment of teachers’ salaries, adding that many public claims about mismanagement were not backed by facts.
“How much do they receive monthly and how much goes into payment of teachers’ salaries? People make assertions without having the facts,” Wike stated.
The minister also commented briefly on the ongoing primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, 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,” he said.
