By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding development to satellite communities within the territory.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during an inspection tour of major projects in the nation’s capital, including the annex of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre and several strategic road projects slated for inauguration as part of activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
Speaking after inspecting the conference centre annex, the minister disclosed that the project had reached about 95 per cent completion, with only finishing touches left before delivery.
“Today is a very good day. The work at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre annex is 95 per cent completed. The furniture has been installed and what is left is just to tidy up a few things,” Wike said.
The minister also inspected the newly completed access road to the complex being executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, commending the contractor for maintaining quality standards and meeting project timelines.
According to him, installation of streetlights on the road is ongoing ahead of its official inauguration.
“The road has been completed and they are now putting up the street lights. That road will be part of the projects to be inaugurated during Mr. President’s third anniversary,” he stated.
Wike further visited the completed Tudun Wada road project linking Old Ushafa Road, noting that final asphalt work and streetlight installation would soon be concluded.
He stressed that the FCT Administration’s infrastructure drive is targeted at opening up rural and underserved communities around Abuja to improve connectivity and economic activities.
“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 added.
The minister praised contractors handling the projects for keeping to agreed schedules and delivering quality work.
“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 said.
Reacting to claims that Area Council chairmen were underutilising allocations due to the FCT Administration’s intervention in infrastructure projects, the minister dismissed the allegations, insisting that critics lacked full understanding of the councils’ financial realities.
“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 briefly commented on the ongoing primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, 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.
