Road projects: Wike hails residents, others for making sacrifices

By Stanley Onyekwere

In the wake of the inconveniences arising from the ongoing projects across Abuja, The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, has lauded residents and others stakeholders of the territory for their support and sacrifices made so far.
Wike noted that despite that some roads have been diverted while some areas are experiencing huge traffic due to the ongoing road projects across the city, yet the affected residents and other critical stakeholders remained calm and supportive.
He made this point yesterday in Abuja, after inspecting some ongoing projects in the territory.
He reiterated that some of the projects would be delivered in May, to celebrate President Bola Tinubu one year in office.
His words: “Some roads have been diverted while some areas are experiencing huge traffic due to the ongoing road projects across the city,” he said.
“I commend all of you for your support and the residents of Abuja, who have been making some sacrifices.
“Where we are now is Goodluck Jonathan Highway, which is being completed and going to be part of the roads that we believed, will be commissioned in May.
“We have spotted some areas where we think the contractor, Salini, should make some adjustments.
“Overall, it will be completed and in one or two weeks the streetlights will be on.
“We also went to Guzape Lot II, where the roads infrastructure being provided will also be completed and before May ending, the project will be handed over to us by Gilmor.”
Also, the minister inspected road projects in Diplomatic Zone, Guzape, though not part of the project for inauguration in May, according to the minister, but would be completed in the next one and half year, if funds were released.
He assured that the FCT Administration would make the funds available to ensure its completion, saying “Generally, I think we are doing well.”
Similarly, at the road resurfacing sites in Asokoro District, being handled by Julius Berger, the minister equally assured residents that all road resurfacing projects would be completed before may.
According to him, “even though we are not inviting Mr President to commission them, but let the world know that Abuja is wearing a new look.”
Furthermore, Wike also thanked Tinubu for signing the N1.28 trillion FCT 2024 appropriation into law, adding that the development would enable the FCT Administration to begin procurement processes.
He adds: “What you will see will be a revolution in terms of infrastructure. With this budget, a lot of things will be done, not just on roads, but also in health and education sectors.”
He however, enjoined residents to commend the government where it made improvements rather than condemnation all the time.
He said: “There are those who will never be happy in their lives. They are sadists. If anybody said that there is no improvement in streetlight, he is a sadist.
“We are trying to make some repairs of those that have been vandalised which is not easy.
“Also, those saying there are criminals all over the city were part of the criminals.
“Don bother about sadists, there is nothing we can do about them.”