The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday launched the long-awaited construction of the 25km Kweita-Yebu road in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
At the flag-off ceremony, Wike assured residents that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to restoring their lost hope and confidence in the government. He promised that the road, previously abandoned by past administrations, would be completed.
Wike revealed that 50 percent of the contract sum has already been included in the FCT’s 2024 budget. He also shortened the project’s delivery time from 18 to 12 months, asking the contractor if earlier completion could be achieved with additional funding.
“When the people are happy, the government is happy,” Wike noted during the ceremony.
Wike acknowledged the community’s previous disappointments with abandoned projects: “You lost hope in the past, you didn’t believe that a government would come and work on the road. Mr. President said he has come to bring back hope. He has brought back hope.”
He emphasized the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its promises: “We will not abandon the road. We are not in the category of those who award contracts and not complete them. In this year’s budget, we’ve provided 50 percent of the funds. Do not lose hope, by this time next year, by the grace of God, I will be here to commission this road.”
The Minister assured that rural roads would receive the same priority as city roads: “What we are doing in the city, we must also do in the rural areas; after all, the people are in the rural areas; the votes come from the rural areas.”
Wike commended former Senator representing the FCT, Sen. Philip Aduda, for his continued connection with the people.
Etsu Kwali, Luka Ayedoo Nizassan, praised the Tinubu administration and Wike for restoring the hope of his people. He recounted that the road project was first awarded in 2005, abandoned after three years, and re-awarded in 2012, only to be abandoned again until now.
The traditional ruler highlighted the road’s economic importance, noting that it would link Kwali to Abaji and Nasarawa State and serve numerous farms supplying yams, cassava, bananas, plantains, beni seed, and melon.
The Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, described the project as a turning point in efforts to improve FCT rural areas. He noted that it was the seventh road flagged off in the area council during Wike’s tenure.
Kwali Area Council Chairman, Dankadi Ajiya, expressed his gratitude and joy for the Minister’s commitment to the project.
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