By Stanley Onyekwere
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday flagged off the construction of a 5km Naharati – River Ukya to Unguwan Hausawa road, with a 3-span river bridge, in Abaji Area Council of Abuja.
Our correspondent reports that the project, which is the fifth in series of the ongoing construction of rural roads across the Territory, in line with the renewed bope agenda of President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that Wike and Minister of State FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud had already flagged off construction of four rural roads Satellite towns and Area Councils of the FCT. These include: 11km Yangoj- Sukuky- Ebo road in Kwali Area council 5km Dual Carriageway from Tipper garage Junction to LEA Secretariat in Kuje Area Council, in addition to 9km within Gwagwalada Area Council and the 7.2km in Bwari Area Council.
Wike, while performing the flag off yesterday, reiterated that President Tinubu has mandated him, and the FCT Minister of state to ensure even development of the FCT.
He added that all the rural roads being flagged-off would be completed before the end of the year.
However, the Minister frowned at the practice where files are kept for weeks, thereby sabotaging and slowing down governance in the process.
Wike warned that he would not allow anyone stifle the development of rural communities in the nation’s capital city, saying any director who refuses to act on files that he has already approved will be made be sanctioned.
According to him, “We had a meeting on Monday with the most senior director and I was telling them that woe unto that director who will keep a file, that I have approved, for weeks. Woe unto you because you are a saboteur.
“Once I approve, do the needful. You can take a week to do due diligence. You don’t need to take 20 days. The contractors are humans. When the money does not get to them on time, they incur more costs and then they begin to seek variation even though they know that variation is not in my dictionary. So, I need the support of the bureaucracy so that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.”
Earlier, the chairman of Abaji area council, Hon. Abdullahi Abubakar, said the choice of the road was deliberately chosen because of its connectivity to other several communities in the area council.
He said the road, when completed, will decongest the by-pass, and improve access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities, and other essential services for rural communities.
He adds: “This road project will also facilitate the movement of goods and services, fostering economic growth, and supporting agricultural activities.”
Giving an overview of the project, Oversighting Director, Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Dr. Olusegun Olusa, said the construction of the road woll open up several rural communities and improve economic activities and security along the road corridor.
He said: “The Scope of woks consist of construction of 5km Asphaltic Concrete finished road on 8-meter carriageway which aiso includes the – site clearance and earthworks, reinforced concrete pipe box culvert of various sizes,
7 reinforced concrete trapezoidal and -channel lined drains, 150mm thick crushed stone base.
50mm asphaltic wearing course,
3-span river bridge and stone pitching.
“Concrete Kerb-stones and Chutes
Lane surface marking
The progress made thus far on this road construction includes:
Completion of 5km route Surveys,
Geophysical soil investigation at tie bridge location, and site clearance and topsoil removal (ongoing).”
