Road infrastructure: Wike appeals for patience, cooperation from Gishiri community

Stories by Stanley Onyekwere

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike has appealed to residents and leaders of Gishiri community, in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to cooperate with government, so as to accelerate and ensure timely completion of ongoing major road infrastructure traversing the area, as they will be the major beneficiaries of the project.
Wike noted that the project when completed will provide street lights and other facilities in the community, that would improve the socio-economic activities in the area.
The Minister, who made the appeal yesterday, when he visited a section of the road that would affect some houses including the chief palace and a public school in the community, assured that there would be payment of adequate compensation to those on the road project’s Right of Way (ROW).
He however, clarified that it is not the whole community that would be affected as the road is not passing through the entire community.
On the total number of houses on the project’s ROW and their compensation value, he explained that it is only when the relevant agencies of government have done their work, and submit to him that he will look at it to know the value and number of houses to be affected by the ongoing road construction.
He said: “Compensation in terms of building road, when house are affected, you pay part of it, but if it is the entire house, then you pay for the full compensation of the property.
So, we’ll do everything, and I want to plead with the community that they are going to be the ones that will benefit from this road directly.
“You can imagine how it was, and see how it is now. And then by the time it is finished with streetlights everywhere. I mean, it is to their own benefit.
“So, I appeal that everybody should give support, so that we can achieve this very important project.”
The minister also inspected the sites of the ongoing construction of 40 housing units Judges Quarters in Katampe District, 3km access road to the Judges Quarters from Arterial Road N11(Ahmadu Bello Way in Mabushi), internal roads within the judges quarters.
While assessing the level of work done on the ongoing road construction sites in the area, the Minister said: ” The last time we came, you know we couldn’t get to this point, but the company had been able to finish the major culvert. We are happy, and we believe that as they promised that by May, 2025 they would have handed over these projects.
“You can see the level of development within this axis, and what the value of land and property would be. That is the essence of the renewed hope agenda, because those living here have never believed that they can see this level of development.
“For me, I’m very much impressed with the company handling the projects. And I want to thank Mr. President for given us the opportunity in the government to help him give back the hope, which the people had lost.”