The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has pledged additional infrastructure projects for Kuje Area Council while cautioning the incoming council chairman against abandoning residents after assuming office.
Wike gave the assurance on Thursday during a thank-you visit to the council to appreciate residents for their support during the recent area council elections.
Addressing traditional rulers, political leaders and residents, the minister said the Federal Government would continue to deliver key projects to the council in recognition of the support given to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and candidates aligned with his administration.
He stressed that political leadership must be based on accountability and commitment to the electorate.
“Politics should be a contract between those elected and the people who elected them. It is not where our people vote for you and at the end of the day you disappear,” Wike said.
The minister explained that his visit was in line with the President’s directive that government officials must return to communities to appreciate the support of citizens rather than take it for granted.
Wike noted that the administration had already fulfilled some of the key requests earlier made by residents and traditional rulers in the area council.
He recalled that during a previous town hall meeting, community leaders had demanded the completion of the road from Airport Junction to Kuje as well as the dualisation of the Kuje Garage Road.
According to him, the Garage Road project has already been completed and commissioned, while the Airport Road to Kuje project—being handled by Arab Contractors—has resumed work and is expected to be completed before the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration.
“We did not only award the Garage Road; it has been completed and commissioned. The contractor handling the Airport Road to Kuje has also returned to site and assured us the road will be ready for inauguration during the President’s third anniversary,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that construction of the 16-kilometre Kuje–Gwagwalada road by Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited was progressing steadily and could be ready for commissioning by June.
Wike assured residents that more projects would be initiated once the newly elected council chairman formally assumes office.
“By the time your chairman is sworn in, we will sit with the traditional rulers and decide which of the roads you mentioned we will start first,” he added.
He, however, warned the chairman-elect against distancing himself from the people after taking office, stressing that grassroots leadership requires constant interaction with the community.
“Don’t be an away chairman. Be a home chairman. When you were campaigning, you were always at home. Now that you have won, do not run away from your people,” Wike warned.
The minister also cautioned that power and wealth can quickly change individuals, urging the incoming chairman to remain humble and committed to serving the people.
“Power and money are two things that can change a man within seconds. But I believe you will not abandon your people,” he said.
Wike expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the council election in Kuje, describing the result as a reflection of the people’s confidence in the administration.
Earlier, the outgoing chairman of the council, Abdullahi Sabo, thanked the minister for visiting the community to appreciate residents for their peaceful conduct before and after the elections.
Sabo described Wike as a unifier and bridge builder whose leadership has accelerated development across the Federal Capital Territory and urged residents to support the incoming administration to sustain progress in the council.
In his remarks, the chairman-elect, Danladi Samuel Shekwolo, expressed gratitude to the minister for backing his campaign and promised to deliver the dividends of democracy to residents.
He also appealed to the FCT minister to consider constructing major roads linking Kuje to neighbouring communities such as Gwagwa, Rubochi and Kebi in order to enhance economic activities in the area.
Shekwolo assured residents that his administration would work closely with the FCT Administration to strengthen infrastructure development and improve living conditions across the council.
