By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Tackling security challenges in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, is one of the core mandates of the FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike with the ongoing projects of construction of 12 divisional police stations in the satellite towns
In the past one year, Wike has left no stone unturned as he ensures that FCT residents sleep with their two eyes closed and Abuja is secured and free of all forms of insecurity.
The FCT minister has severally vowed to make Abuja too hot for kidnappers, one – chance syndicate, and other criminals in the territory.
The ongoing construction of 12 divisional police stations in addition to a six unit police staff quarters in the six area councils across the FCT is a sure testimony of Wike’s drive to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the territory, and particularly in the satellite towns.
Aside from changing the security narratives in the FCT, residents also say the construction of these security outfits is creating jobs for their teeming youth population.
Some overjoyous youths who spoke with the FCT feedback team expressed optimism about the changing face and sustainability of security in their communities.
Among those who spoke with our feedback team was the architect overseeing one of such project in Saburi community, under Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Nuhu Musa, said that the construction commenced on November 19.
“The groundbreaking of this project was on November 19, and the next day, we commenced clearing of the site. The following week, we excavated,” he added.
He said the project is at 70% completion, and the roofing in progress is moving faster than scheduled.
“The project consists of two major structures: a police station and a residence for police personnel. “
“We have a program of work. The schedule of work submitted was for one year, but we plan to be done in six months. “
“If today marks the third month, it means we have roughly three months more, which is too much for us to finish this project.”
“This project is a police station, and the one at the back is the residence for the police staff, which is six units of two-bedroom flats. It’s a block of flats, two on each level, making it six because it’s two floors,” Musa added.
According to him, the project has positively impacted the local economy by providing jobs for the residents of the community.
“So far, so good. The people of the community are all cooperating. We employed so many of them. The artisans from here also work for us. The security personnel is also from the community,” he said.
Also speaking , Engineer Ahmed Yahaya, the site engineer for Armodris Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project, also highlighted the progress.
“We have been here since November, that is three months now. So far, so good. Work has been moving on. We are moving at a lighter pace. As God would have it, there has been no casualty,” he said.
He expressed gratitude for the project, describing it as a great intervention for the community.
“We thank the minister for bringing this kind of project to this community. Ever since we started this project, people usually come here, and all they say is, ‘God will bless the Minister,’” Yahaya said.
The contractors also commended the locals for their continued support for the project.
A resident of Saburi 1, Prince Yahaya Mohammed, an employee at the project site , expressed his gratitude for the employment opportunities created.
“I am very happy that I have been employed here as a supervisor. I’m from this village, Saburi 1.”
“Through this project, many people from this village have been employed, and they now have a source to earn a living.”
He thanked the FCT Minister for choosing Saburi for the project, and called on the government to consider Saburi youths in future police recruitment.
The Village Head of Saburi, Alhaji Muhammad Yamawo, lauded the FCT Adminis
