The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has expressed optimism that several ongoing road projects in the FCT will be completed within the next eight months. This statement comes after the minister personally inspected the progress of these projects in Abuja.
Inspection of Key Projects
During his inspection, the minister visited various sites, including the completion of Roads B6, B12, and Circle Road in the Central Area. He also examined the rehabilitation work being carried out by Julius Berger on the Federal Secretariat. Additionally, he inspected the construction of the Southern Parkway, a project being undertaken by Setraco, and the expansion of the Outer Southern Expressway, which is under the supervision of CGC. The latter project encompasses the stretch from Villa Roundabout to OSEX/Ring Road 1 Junction, featuring four interchanges. Furthermore, the minister assessed the full development of Arterial Road N20, from Northern Parkway to ONEX, including spurs, which is being handled by Gilmor Engineering.
Renewed Hope Agenda
Hailing the quality of work done, the minister emphasized that the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu is indeed a reality and not just a propaganda. He invited journalists to join him during the inspection to witness the progress firsthand, stating, “So, sometimes it is good for you (journalists) to join us for inspection and see what we are telling the public, whether it is correct or just mere propaganda. The renewed hope agenda is not a propaganda. It is the reality that Nigerians must see. So, I am very happy with what I have seen today. If you remember that on Monday, precisely, we were one month in office. What we did in the city is to invite all the contractors so that we will be able to identify quick deliverables in the next eight months and inaugurate the projects,”
When the minister assumed office as the FCT Minister, no contractors were on site due to non-payment. However, he expressed his belief in the renewed hope agenda and the positive change it has brought, saying, “Virtually most major companies have gone back to the site – Julius Berger is on site; Setraco is on site; CGC is on site and Gilmor is on site, just the ones we inspected today. Other companies are also on site; even though we could not visit them today. I am happy with B6 and B12, being handled by Julius Berger, you can see the quality of the job, and here we are (Arterial Road), being handled by Gilmor; you can see the quality of the job. We moved to CGC, you can see the quality of the job, and we have been to Setraco.”
Promised Payment and Future Benefits
The minister assured that payment plans for the contractors have been devised to ensure they are not forced to halt work, stating, “Overall, we want to say that we are happy with what they are doing, and we have planned out how they would be paid so that nobody will leave the sites.” Looking towards the future, he expressed confidence that in the next eight months, “all of us will begin to benefit in the construction of these very strategic roads.”
With the minister’s visit and assurances, the public can be hopeful for timely completion of the road projects and the resulting improvement in infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory.
