By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike has said that the expansion of more roads in the territory is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Wike said that in continuation of this, the FCT Administration, FCTA, is set to expand the Outer Southern Expressway, OSEX, from Rung 1 to Ring Road 11, also known as Lokogoma Junction in Abuja, among other roads.
The FCT Minister disclosed this when he embarked on the inspection of the ongoing construction of the left-hand service carriageway of the OSEX from Ring Road 1 (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway) to Wasa Junction on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the inspection exercise, the Minister said the expansion of the road will do two things, reduce traffic bottlenecks around the area and enhance business operations in the Abuja capital city.
Wike expressed satisfaction with the speed and quality of work on the road project being undertaken by CGC Group, as well as confidence that the six-lane dual carriage way expansion, from Ring road 1 to Ring road 11, being proposed on the road will be executed by the contractor.
He said, “We came out from the OSEX where you saw what CGC is doing on the left-hand service carriageway of two lanes. Now we want to expand because that alone will not reduce the traffic bottleneck.”
“So, there is a need that we have to do another six lanes to take it down to Lokogoma. In that case, we will be able to reduce the traffic by about 95 percent.”
Addressing the issue concerning occupation of the Apo Mechanic Village traders along the road corridor of the OSEX, the Minister assured that the Committee on the relocation of the traders was putting in efforts to relocate the traders to a permanent site in Wasa in the interest of the public.
He stated that the traders were already aware that the road project will pass through the area, adding that the FCTA was expecting any problem concerning the relocating of the traders.
The Minister said, “The Committee is doing their work. You know that the road is going to pass through that area. So, that will not be an issue. We have told them that when we get to that point, they have no choice but to leave for the interest of everybody. It’s not for anybody’s particular interest. It’s for the public.”
While reemphasizing the significance of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT and not just mere rhetoric, the minister noted the Administration’s commitment to the provision of infrastructure in the Abuja city centre and the satellite towns in line with the directive of Mr. President .
He said, “It is the directive of Mr. President to see that all areas, not only the city but also in the satellite towns are all opened up with road infrastructure. You will not believe it now that all the roads we are doing in the satellite towns will be provided with solar streetlights, which has never happened.”
“So, it is wonderful, we are happy with what we are seeing, and we are happy with what the contractors are doing. Indeed, the renewed hope agenda is working, it’s a reality. People can see with their eyes. It’s not that you are told,” he said.
