By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
There so excitement in Abaji by residents on Monday as the FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike commissioned the 5 kilometres Naharati link road project in Abaji Area Council.
Naharati road marks the first in the series of commissioning of roads in the six area councils in the FCT.
Wike thanked the Chairman and the people of Abaji for giving support to the contractor to finish the project on record time.
” If you did not give the company the support, they may not have finished this project on time. ”
“When I came here during the construction, that was when they were doing the bridge, and I had to drive around, then I knew the importance of this particular road, he said.
The minister stated that when he took over the leadership of the FCT Administration , he had promised development both in the city and satellite towns.
” Recall in late 2023, precisely October – November, when we came to Abaji for stakeholder’s meeting. We did consult with you and told you that day that thePresident had sent us, and it was for you to make a request of one road you feel was so important for us to execute. This is the road through your chairman of council, sent to us. ”
The FCT minister expressed satisfaction with the contractor for completing the road .
He said,” I want to thank the company they completed this project in November. Today, we are in January 2025, we flagged it off in January 2024. We are commissioning today in January 2025.”
Refering to security in the community, Wike also promised that he would be back to commission the two police stations under construction for the protection of their lives and property.
“Every promise we have made, be assured that we are going to fulfil the promises we have made. Don’t take us as the usual politicians, no. Ours is to make a promise, fulfil the promise to the people, and emphasize”, he stressed.
The Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud thanked Wike for commissioning the Naharati Ukya Access Road with 2 span River bridges 5 kilometres within Abaji Area Council for the people.
Also, for his commitment towards enhancing rural infrastructures in the FCT.
She noted that while not overloading the needs of our rural communities, rural road infrastructure forms the backbone of rural communities and contributes significantly to the overall development of the nation.
According to Mahmoud, road networks such as this Naharati access b connect rural producers to markets, enabling them to sell their goods at fair prices and access essential services more easily.
Furthermore, the road creates employment opportunities and stimulates local economies, she noted.
Abaji Area Council chairman, Hon. Abubakar Abdullahi expressed his appreciation that in less than one year , the FCT Minister has come to flag-off the construction of the Naharati road .
“Today the project has become a real, promise made promise fulfilled.”
The completion of of this 5km road project is highly significant because the settlement of Naharati has been linked directly to Abaji town for the first time, Abdullah said.