By Stanley Onyekwere
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike has declared that with the work done in the FCT under Tinubu’s administration, it would be very difficult for anyone to dare him politically in the FCT.
Wike made the assertion yesterday, during his address at the presidential commissioning of the full-scope Arterial road N20 from Northern Parkway to the Outer Northern Expressway, otherwise known as the Murtala Mohammed Expressway, in Jahi District of Abuja.
In his words: “In fact, I don’t want to talk politics now, but I do know it will be difficult, for anyone to challenge you in the FCT, it will be very difficult.
“I dare say so, because the facts and the things are there. It’s not about theory, it’s about the reality.
“You said you would do this, have you done it? Yes. You said you would do that, has he done it? Yes. So, what are we talking about.”
According to the minister, the 3.5 kilometre completed portion of the arterial road N20, which was awarded in 2020, at the cost of N30.6bn, was the fastest of all the projects completed so far.
“This road was awarded in 2020. In fact, this is the fastest. It was awarded 2020, not the ones that were awarded 15 years ago, 16 years ago. It was awarded at the cost of N30.6bn”, he stated.
Inaugurating the road, President Bola Tinubu approved its naming as the Wole Soyinka Way, describing the 89-year-old playwright as a foremost playwright, who has brought international acclaim to Nigeria.
Tinubu while appreciating the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for the recommendation to name the road Wole Soyinka Way, said it is well received.
He said: “Professor Wole Soyinka has brought immense honour and fame to Nigeria through his unparalleled contributions to literature and his unwavering commitment to human rights and social justice.
“He is our foremost playwright, novelist, and Nobel prize winner, who has brought Nigeria fame and pride of international acclaim. Thank you for thinking that way, we all accept your recommendation on behalf of the people and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Naming this highway after him is a fitting tribute to a man who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth, freedom, and artistic excellence.”
The President noted that the commissioning of the road was a testament to the actualisation of his administration’s agenda to transform every part of the country, noting the importance of investing in infrastructure development to sustain growth and deliver economic prosperity to the people.
“The completion of this strategic project, with its underground system of wastewater duct, fibre optic and many other facilities, cannot but be mentioned. The population of Nigeria is growing, and the population of Abuja capital territory is growing. It is necessary to invest in infrastructure to sustain the growth and bring economic prosperity to our people”, he explained.
The inauguration of the Wole Soyinka Way is the fifth in the series of presidential commissioning of projects, as part of events to mark President Tinubu’s administration first year in office.
Also, other projects commissioned include; the Southern Parkway- renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, Wuye and Wuse engineering infrastructure and the Outer Southern Parkway- renamed the Mahamadou Issoufou Way, among others.
