Wike’s infrastructural achievements, statement of intent to open up FCT – Tinubu

By Stanley Onyekwere

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for steadfastly  engineering  infrastructural achievements that are  statements of intention  to open up the FCT.

Tinubu, also described  Wike as a man, whose quiet diligence and visionary leadership have continued to transform the landscape of the FCT.

He added that the FCT minister have not only embraced the visions of his Administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, but have localised, made it meaningful, and real.

The President spoke yesterday through  the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbass, who represented him at the commissioning of the access roads to Giri District of the FCT.

He said: “Your work speaks for itself. In every corner of the FCT, from the fast-paced districts of Maitama, Jahi, Katampe, Wuye, Mabushi and the likes, to the satellite towns of Gwagwalada, Kwali, Bwari, Kuje and Abaji and growing districts such as Kabusa, Ketti, Sheretti and now Giri, your leadership has brought progress closer to the people.

“You have not only embraced the vision of my Administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, you have localized it, made it visible, and made it real. Your actions have brought quality and excellence to the doorstep of communities long left in the shadows”.

On the newly constructed access roads in Giri, the President: “They show that under this administration, no community is too small, area too distant, citizen too insignificant to benefit from the dividends of democracy. They remind us that development must reach the outskirts just as it touches the centre.

“Honourable Minister, continue to shine your light. Nigeria sees it. And history will record it. Thank you for listening. Thank you for acting. Thank you for reminding us that good governance is not about fanfare, but about footsteps, the kind that now travel easily on these new roads”.

Earlier in his welcome remark, Wike decried that absence of infrastructure had greatly hindered the development of the various districts of the FCT.

He added that the commitment of the FCT Administration towards ensuring the opening up of the FCT and fostering interconnectivity.

He said: “Like the chairman said, they will start the Academy immediately, because now they have access road that they can move in their equipment and develop this (EFCC Academy site) and once this comes, you will see that other people will also move in and develop their own areas.

“Most of the problem we’re having here is that sometimes when lands are allocated, there are no facilities, no infrastructure and people are not encouraged.

“So, we are doing everything we can to see that infrastructure is being provided”.

According to him, Giri district would be an important district that will attract so many investors, highlighting its scenic topography and expansive land.

He disclosed that, “what we have done now, having created this access road, I have told the Executive Secretary FCDA (Federal Capital Development Authority), and other relevant agencies to start working out the details of how we’re going to do the roads, within the district. So, be assured that maybe next one year it will be a different thing.

“This district, as The Executive Secretary has said, is going to have mostly institutions like the university, like EFCC Academy, and all other institutions that are supposed to be here”.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede,  appreciated Tinubu, Wike and the leadership of the National Assembly for their role in the construction of the access road to the permanent site of the EFCC Academy.

Represented by the Secretary of the Commission, Muhammad Hammajoda, the EFCC noted that the major challenge to the development of the academy was the lack of an access road to the site, adding that with the construction of the infrastructure, the development of the academic will now proceed.

Not left out, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud reiterated that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has continued to shape the transformation of the nation’s capital.

“This project is yet another shining example of his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, connectivity, and inclusive growth”, she affirmed.

While commending the visionary and dynamic leadership of the FCT Minister for accelerating development across the territory, Mahmoud stressed that the road is part of a broader initiative to open up underserved communities and stimulate economic activities within the area councils.

While providing the project overview, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, said the Giri district was planned to be an institutional area with some institutions, such as the University of Abuja and the EFCC Academy already present.