By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on Thursday flagged off the emergency construction and rehabilitation of the 9 kilometer Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road, in Gwagwalada Area Council.
Wike said that the Paikon Kore- Ibwa road project is part of 30-kilometre roads that would be constructed across the six area councils of the FCT to promote rural development in the territory.
The minister stated that the road construction project was designed to make rural dwellers comfortable and open rural communities for development, as he assured the residents that President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda was not mere talk but action.
He disclosed that two additional roads would be constructed in each of the area councils before the end of the year, to make it three rural roads per area council.
The minister blamed the spate of rural urban migration on the lack of roads and other basic amenities needed to make life comfortable.
He noted that the project will address insecurity, improve access to school, enable the people to evacuate their farm produce to the market and boost economic activities.
Wike also assured the contractor that funding would not be a problem, stressing that he would accept nothing short of expected quality.
“Funding will not be a problem, but do it well; the people are entitled to quality roads.”
“I will not tell you when I will come here for inspection. I will not also depend on a report from the director overseeing the project.”
“What I will depend on is what I see with my own eyes,” Wike emphasized.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, pointed out that lack of access roads in communities had stunted development in rural communities.
According to Mahmoud the construction of the rural roads across the six area councils would not only open the rural communities for trade and commerce, but also improve access to the market, health care, and education.
“The project is not just about laying down asphalt; it is about connecting communities, improving access, and fostering economic development in our rural areas.”
“For too long, the lack of proper road infrastructure has hindered the progress of our rural communities.”
“Farmers have to struggle to transport their produce to markets; students have faced difficulties reaching schools; and medical emergencies have been compounded by the challenges of accessing timely healthcare,” Mahmoud said.
Furthermore, Oversite Director, Satellite Towns Development Department, FCTA, Dr Olusegun Olusa, said that the 9 kilometer road is one of the projects selected by FCDA due to infrastructural deficit.
Olusa gave the assurance that the project, awarded to Setraco Nigeria Ltd, would be delivered before May 29 to mark President Tinubu’s one year in office.
Earlier, the Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council, Mr. Abubakar Giri, commended the minister for bringing the project to Gwagwalada, which he said is the first rural project to be executed by the FCT minister in the area.
Giri said the road, when completed, would improve security in rural communities due to improved access to communities and boost the economy of the people.
He said that the 90 percent of the people in the area, who are farmers, will benefit immensely from the road projects as they will be evacuating their agricultural produce to the market.
Also, a chief, the Aguma of Gwagwalada, Mr Mohammad Magaji, thanked the minister for taking the bold step to develop rural communities in the FCT.
Magaji expressed joy that the project would facilitate development in rural communities, which eluded local areas for ages.
He announced that the community has bestowed the traditional title of Sarkin Yakin (warlord) Paikon Kore on the minister and awaiting his approval for coronation.
The Managing Director, Setraco Nigeria Ltd, Mr Ziad Mouannes, promised to deliver the project according to specification.
Mouannes called for the support of the FCT Administration, particularly funding and security, to ensure timely completion of the project.
