HE Nyesom Wike, the FCT Minister on Thursday, called on security agencies in the FCTA to work with CCECC and CGC to ensuring that the lighting facilities provided by the companies sustain government’s efforts in curbing insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory Authority(FCTA).
Wike spoke during the official flag-off of the installation of Integrated (Hybrid) Solar Lighting in the Abuja Districts and Expressways under the Light up Abuja programme: Lots I and II, hosted by the Federal Capital Development Authority(FCTA).
“Today’s event is a very difficult one. Particularly about how we can tackle insecurity in the FCTA. And so, in 2024, we decided to travel with Mr. President to Beijing, China. There in Beijing, we signed an agreement with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation(CCECC), and CGC to lighten up Abuja. The major things that attracted me was the fact that the companies executing the project are not only going to maintain these facilities, but will also impute surveillance features so that if you try to steal and vandalize the solar lights, you will be identified and caught”.
”This Lighting project will be maintained by both CCECC and CGC in the next five years”, the Minister declared.”
According to the Minister, the project which will be completed within six months from the flagging-off, will be equipped with surveillance module to checkmate theft, vandalism and ensure the economic prosperity of the citizenry in the FCTA and Nigerians at large.
Lot I of the programme will be executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation,(CCECC), a large, State-Owned Enterprise from China that has partnered the Federal Republic of Nigeria in many developmental projects in the country. The company will lighten up the Maitama, Wuse, Asokoro, Central Area and Airport Expressway, while the remaining part will be executed by CGC.
The Minister also noted that the light up Abuja project includes the supply and installation (retrofitting) of integrated Hybrid Solar Street lighting fittings of 300W Solar Powered lights luminous flux ranging from 7,500lm to 17,500ml, ongoing Streets and Expressways with necessary accessories and maintenance.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Guan Shuai, Managing Director, CCECC Nigeria Limited in his commitment address stated that the scope of the lightening project covers all the areas of Abuja, aimed at ensuring the security and economic prosperity of the people of the FCTA.
”This project is aimed at solving all the lighting problems in the FCTA. So, we chose to use Solar to solving these problems and ensure the security, beauty and economic prosperity of the FCTA and every Nigerian, he stated.
The event attracted dignitaries from the House of Representatives, the Honourable Minister of the FCT, State, the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, the National Vice Chairman of the APC, South-South, Area Council Chairmen of the FCT, the Managing Directors and Staff of CCECC ad CGC Companies, Chairman Civil Service Commission of the FCT, Permanent Secretaries, Mandate Secretaries, Heads of Security Agencies, Traditional Rulers, among others.