Stories by Stanley Onyekwere
There is a sigh of relief for many inhabitants of Saburi I and II community, a satellite town in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), of the Federal Capital Territory, following the construction of a major access in the area.
Recall that that FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike had on January 21, 2024, inaugurated the construction of a 5-kilometre access road, connecting Saburi 1 and 2 and Dei Dei International Market, which was virtually completed, as it is just awaiting official commissioning.
The 5-kilometre Saburi to Dei Dei road is among several road projects awarded by the Wike-led FCT Administration in rural communities across the six area councils of the territory.
According to the minister, the road from Murtala Mohammed Expressway to Dei DeI International Market, was designed to ease the suffering of the people, particularly during the rainy season.
However, some inhabitants described the Wike’s road intervention in the community as a “game changer”, as it has significantly improved socio-economic activities there.
The residents noted that the road project has improved their business and triggered enormous socio-economic activities and other development strides in the area.
They spoke at the weekend, while interacting with journalists who were in the community to assess the impact of road projects in FCT communities.
For one of the residents, Mr. Emmanuel Ogboh, a shop owner, their businesses have turned around due to increased vehicular movement since the construction of the road.
Also, the visibly excited Ogboh thanked Wike for extending his development agenda to the Saburi community.
Similarly, a petty trader, Mrs Justina Ocheche, who sells akara (beans cake), said her business had been getting more patronage since the completion of the road.
Ocheche however recalled that the bad state of the road had crippled her business due to heavy dust during the dry season and mud during the rainy season, thereby making her akara business unhygienic.
According to her, “However, since Wike happened, there is no more dust or mud. People are now moving freely and our patronage has significantly increased.
“God will bless Wike even in the coming generations because of what he did for us in Saburi and Dei Dei.”
The akara seller also called for stable electricity supply in the area to improve the supply of clean water in the community, because sometimes the community stays for two weeks without water supply due to epileptic supply of electricity.
Another resident, who is a furniture maker, Mr. Nicholas Emmanuel, noted that the dust emanating from the hitherto bad road was not good for business, particularly furniture.
Emmanuel opined that furniture made of fabrics accumulates dust, making it unattractive to prospective buyers.
He added that residents had to always wear a nose mask to protect them from the dust and prevent catarrh.
He said:”Now the dust is over and so is our catarrh. We thank God that the minister remembered us in Saburi and we pray that God will keep him to continue the good work.”
On his part, a car wash owner in the community, Mr. Akin Akinwande, said the road network was a game changer for his business.
“Before, you barely see 20 cars passing through the community in a day, but now more than 100 ply this road daily.
“This is good for our businesses and we thank Wike and President Bola Tinubu for it”, he said.
In the same vein, a truck driver, Mr. Emeka Oduma said: “I am very impressed with what Wike did for us in this village. I am happy and everybody is happy that our minister is doing a good job.
“I have been in Saburi 1 for not less than 10 years now and the road was very very terrible, but thank God for Wike, who is setting a good example for others to follow.”
Oduma, who described Wike as a “good man”, also urged him to continue good work by opening more roads in rural communities.
When contacted for reaction, the Village Head of Saburi, Alhaji Muhammad Yamawo, who could not hide his joy, described the road as “new bride.”
His words: “This road is like someone who has never gotten married and when he finally does, he feels like the whole world belongs to him.
“We have suffered a lot due to the absence of a good road in Saburi, but we are happy that Wike has finally wiped off our tears.”
As expected, the village head commended the minister for the ongoing construction of a Police Station and a hospital in the community.
