By Stanley Onyekwere
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike has declared that there is no need to doubt President Bola Tinubu’s promises to transform Abuja, as they are coming out well.
Wike asserted this position, after inspecting six ongoing projects across Abuja, the nation’s capital city.
The projects inspected included the Southern Parkway, from Christian Centre to Ring Road I, being handled by Setraco and Vice President’s Residence being handled by Julius Berger.
Others visited were B6 and B12, Independence Avenue, also handled by Julius Berger, Wuye Engineering Infrastructure, being handled by Arab Contractors and N-20 Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Jahi District, being handled by Gilmor.
Wike opined that the projects in accelerated progress are based on the specifications agreed by the administration and the contractors.
He explained that the assurances given to him by the various contractors, the handing over deadline will be met.
According to him: “For us, these six projects are not the only projects we are expecting to be handed over to us in May, we believe that after the public holiday, we are going to meet with all the contractors to know how ready they are.
“We will as well visit some sites at Guzape and other areas to see the level of preparedness.
“So, for us, we are happy with what we have seen, and we thank God that the Renewed Hope Agenda is working, Nigerians are seeing, I can see that the president is doing well because the promises he had made to transform Abuja are coming out well, no need to doubt him.
“Part of the problems we have in our country is when you make a promise and fail to fulfill it, without fulfilling promises it make electorate lose confidence in you.
“When you make promises and they are being fulfilled, it gives hope,joy and happiness.”
He continued: “All the sites that we have visited, you can see that the people are smiling, it shows they are happy.
“I am happy that with the support Mr. president is giving me, contractors can see that funding is not a problem.
“Projects will not be abandoned no matter the pressure that comes, what is important is that people are working for you and you have to pay them.”
On why he decided to inspect the project during Easter break, the minister said: “Easter does not mean that you will not work; Easter does not mean that you will not eat.
“What Easter portrays is the unity for which Christ stands for all of us, and the need to preach for peace among we Nigerians.
Axcording to him, the essence of going to project sites was to see whether the contractors were delivering the project according to design and according to contract terms.
He reiterated his promise that no project would be abandoned, adding that no project would be awarded without the money to fund it.
On their parts, the various contractors assured the minister that they we meet the deadline.
