Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the speed and quality of ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, declaring that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to extending development to satellite communities through aggressive road construction.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday while inspecting several ongoing and completed projects within the Federal Capital Territory ahead of activities marking President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
Among the projects inspected was the Body of Benchers Annex building, which the minister said had reached near completion and would be commissioned as part of the anniversary celebrations.
“Today is a very good day. The work at the Body of Benchers annex building is 95 per cent completed. The furniture has been installed and what is left is just to tidy up a few things,” Wike stated.
The FCT minister also visited the access road leading to the complex, being constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, and praised the contractor for delivering quality work within schedule.
“The road has been completed and they are now putting up the street lights. Like I said, that road will be part of the projects to be inaugurated during Mr. President’s third anniversary,” he said.
Wike further inspected the Tudun Wada road project linking Old Ushafa Road, disclosing that final asphalt work and installation of streetlights would be completed within days.
The minister stressed that the administration’s development agenda was not limited to the city centre, noting that efforts were now focused on opening up rural and satellite communities across the FCT.
“My greatest happiness is that we have also started going to Zuba. The entire communities around that axis will now be opened up. That is what development is all about — opening up the satellite areas as directed by Mr. President,” he said.
He commended contractors handling the projects for maintaining quality standards while meeting agreed timelines.
“I am so impressed with the quality of the job and the timely completion. I commend the contractors for fulfilling their promise that they will complete the projects on time,” Wike added.
The minister also dismissed allegations that Area Council chairmen were underutilising monthly allocations due to interventions by the FCT Administration in infrastructure delivery.
“I don’t know about that. Those who elected them should take action if there are issues,” he said.
According to him, most Area Councils struggle with huge salary obligations, particularly the payment of teachers’ salaries, making claims of wasted allocations misleading.
“How much do they receive monthly and how much goes into payment of teachers’ salaries? People make assertions without having the facts,” he stated.
Wike also spoke briefly on the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, expressing satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise.
“All I know is that we have completed our screening and the primaries are going on. INEC officials were present at the primaries and I am happy with the way the PDP is conducting the process,” he said.
