By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, has said that provision of engineering infrastructure to Guzape II District would enhance Abuja’s aesthetics, open up the area for development and provide direct and indirect jobs to many Nigerians.
The minister said this during a tour of engineering infrastructure projects in the district to ascertain the progress of work and challenges therein, over the weekend.
Malam Bello who spoke at the end of the tour expressed delight that, already plot owners have commenced development of their property, especially in parts of the district, where the contractor has provided infrastructure.
He said, “It’s a project which we feel will enhance the city’s aesthetics and as you can see, along the entire corridor where you (Gilmor Engineering (Nig) Ltd) have started work, people have started building.”
“I understand also that this is going to be a very beautiful district and as we have spent some time and gone round the projects, we have seen how much work has been done and we have seen some of the challenges.”
The Minister reassured the contractor that efforts will be made to overcome the challenges which include elements of encroachment along the road corridor.
He said, “In any project, there will always be challenges. But as partners, it is left for us to look at the challenges and get solutions for them.”
I have seen the challenges you have with the road corridor, especially with the encroachments and I assure you that we will work with my team to see how we can resolve them”, the minister assured.
Noting that the project has suffered financing and pricing challenges, the Minister assured that consideration for a number of reviews was underway as he encouraged the contractor to continue to deliver good quality work.
The FCDA Executive Secretary, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, while providing details on the project, said that Guzape II, on completion could be likened to Manhattan, in New York, USA and Jumeirah in Dubai rivalling any specially built area in any part of the world’s best cities.
Hadi Amed explained that all mistakes in the development of previous Districts in the FCT have been corrected in the case of Guzape II, making it a model district that would also enhance tourist activities in Abuja.
According to him, Guzape District will boast of the first ever tunnel in the city that would provide access to homes and businesses.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary added that a relocation layout plan was made to accommodate some villages of original inhabitants currently on the site.
Managing Director of Gilmore Engineering (Nig) Ltd, Mr Eli Goldhar assured the Minister of his company’s preparedness to deliver world class infrastructure to the new district.
Daybreak reports that the district is located in Cadastral Zone A11 and on the higher grounds of Guzape Phase I.
