By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Thursday disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has disbursed 50 percent of the 2023 100 billion supplementary budget for implementing capital projects in Abuja.
Wike made this known while addressing journalists, after an inspection tour of three ongoing projects in the FCT including the Outer Southern Expressway, beginning from AA Rano behind the Villa through Deeper Life Junction, SARS, Apo Roundabout to Wassa, under construction by Messrs CGC Construction Limited; and the Northern N20 Expressway in Jahi District beginning from AA Rano and stretching to Zuba; being constructed by Gilmore Construction, as well as the residence of the Vice President.
The Minister explained that the projects were intended to mark the first year in office of the President, Bola Tinubu, in addition to giving the contractors a deadline of May 24, 2024.
According to him, the approval and subsequent disbursement of the fund gave hope that none of the ongoing projects will be left uncompleted, adding that the projects were intended to commemorate the first year in office of President Bola Tinubu.
“I am happy to announce to you that the Ministry of Finance has released fifty percent of the National Supplementary Budget, and that in a way has given us that hope that the contractors would be paid anytime from now.”
‘We have also gotten assent to the statutory budget, which again has given us hope that no project will be left uncompleted as promised. We have visited three projects today; one being carried out by CGC, one by Julius Berger, and the N20 Carriage being constructed by Gilmor.”
Wike gave a pass mark to the quality of the various projects, and assured FCT residents that all promises made towards the completion of the projects would be fulfilled.
“I am sure residents of Abuja have seen the difference that no promise made would not be fulfilled. All promises made will be fulfilled. And we also want to commend the residents of Abuja for the support they are giving to us.”
” We are happy with what we have seen, and we will continue to do it for the satisfaction of the residents of Abuja and assure them that the Renewed Hope Agenda was not a mere talk. So, it is a promise and a promise kept.”
While speaking on comments from some quarters that the Wike-led FCTA was not directly beneficial or impactful to the people, the minister said “I don’t know how anybody will say road projects are not impactful. First, it creates jobs; two, it makes the economy to thrive. What can be more impactful than road construction? All projects that we are doing are impactful projects”.
