By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister Barr Nysome Wike has said that the Kuje – Gwagwalada linking the Airport to the city is an economic game changer in the Federal Capital, FCT.
The minister said, “These are two major projects which will change the economic life, the economic activities of this area, and the FCT in general. We are pleased with what we are seeing.”
The minister stated this on Tuesday after inspection of the Kuje – Airport – Gwagwalada road.
Wike said that he was impressed with level of work and quality of job done by the construction company, Arab Contractors.
Speaking on the timeline to deliver the roads, he said, “They have promised to keep to their agreement, and by keeping to our agreement too, by the grace of God, June next year, they would have handed over that road. It is a very major milestone that it is completed.”
The minister disclosed that the road was awarded before the COVID, sometimes in 2019, the contractor left site, but was called back to site.
“When we came on board, the contractor was not on site. And so, we had to see what we can do and during our interaction with stakeholders, one of the things they requested was that we should try to make the contractor come back.”
“ Today, we are happy with the level of work, and you can see the residents are also happy.”
He explained that the road from Kuje to Gwagwalada dualization was carried out by another contractor which is Gilmore Engineering.
” Initially, from the Kuje Junction downwards, was done by Gilmore, and we felt that they should continue from where they stopped to Gwagwalada. And the work is going on very well.”
However, Wike said that if the administration keep to their promise of payment, 70% to 80% will be completed.
The contractors are part of our work plan. If we keep to our promise, obviously, So, it’s our job to keep to our promises to ensure the road is completed.
“So, somebody from Kuje going to Gwagwalada does not need to pass through the airport road. Somebody from Kuje to Gwagwalada does not need to pass the airport again. All you need to take is from here, all the way to the city”, Wike added.
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