Daybreak Abuja
…To build 25 schools, hospitals
… Earns traditional title as Jikan Dan Majidadin Kuje
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike has said the construction of the Kuje Dual Carriageway is a testimony that shows that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working.
Wike said this on Monday at the flag-off exercise of the construction of a 5km dual carriageway in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, adding that the road project also rekindles the president’s assurance that he means well for the nation’s capital.
The minister noted that the president is stopping at nothing to ensure that the people reap the dividends of democracy, stating that this is enough support for FCDA to perform.
Wike said, “I would like to mention that Mr. President is fully supporting us and his mandate is very clear to the Hon. Minister of State and my humble self. When you people say that the Minister of State and my humble self are working, it’s because we have a President who gives us anything we want.”
“He has given us the support, and so we have no excuses to give but to let the people know that Mr. President is behind everything we are doing. Every request we have made, Mr. President has always given to us. So, for us, we don’t have any excuse not to do what we are supposed to do.”
Wike who also assured of the availability of funds to carry out the road projects, as he charged the contractor , Arab Contractors to complete them within the specified time, or the contract will be revoked.
He said, “If you take our money, you must do our road. There is no grammar there. I cannot be Minister and you collect our money and say you won’t do the job. For me and the Hon. Minister of State, we don’t have time for the dry season, we don’t have time for the rainy season. If you collect our money under rainy season, you must also work under the rainy season.
Furthermore, the Minister reassured that all abandoned projects in the FCT Area Councils that were awarded by the FCT Administration would have to be completed, to ensure that they impact positively on the people and preserve the resources of government.
He also also disclosed that provisions have been included in the FCT’s 2024 statutory budget for the renovation of schools and hospitals in the FCT.
He said, “We are not only doing roads. Very soon, in the next one week or two, we are going to flag off the total renovation of not less than 25 schools, we are going to do that. So, we are not just talking about roads. We are also talking about schools.”
“We are also going to come back to most of our hospitals that have been abandoned. Take for example, the Utako hospital that has not been completed, the Gwagwalada Hospital, we are coming back to put them in order for the use of our people, for the interest of our people. We cannot be answering FCT just by mouth. We must answer FCT and show that indeed this is FCT. Likewise, we are going to do that”.
Referring to the safety and welfare of the residents, he called for the continued support of the Area Councils in the fight against poverty and insecurity in the FCT, adding that insecurity does not differentiate between political party affiliation or societal class.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud on her part, stated that the dualization of the carriageway from is another testimony of our administration’s commitment to the socio-economic development of the FCT.
Mahmoud said,” Let me reiterate that investing in rural infrastructure is not just a matter of economic development; it is a fundamental step towards building inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.”
The Chairman, Kuje Area Council, Abdullahi Suleiman Sabo, who expressed the Council’s gratitude that its request for the dualization of the carriageway has been granted by the FCT Minister, said that the road project will also solve the challenges of perennial gridlock and overflow of drains, especially during the rainy seasons.
The Gomo Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Jubrin bestowed on Barr. Nyesom Wike, the traditional title of Jikan Dan Majidadin Kuje, which loosely means the custodian of good will.
This will be the third title bestowed on him, following the titles from the traditional leaders Gwagwalada and Bwari Area Councils.
