By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister,Barr. Nysome Wike has restated his commitment to commission projects for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary.
Wike gave this hint on Thursday after a monitoring visit to some project sites namely the International Conference Centre, ICC, which is under renovation, Wole Soyinka N20 road, Extention of N20 roads at Jahi district, and Gishiri interchange road.
Speaking to newsmen after visiting the projects, Wike ssaid,”We are going to inaugurate those projects during the second year of our service during Mr. President’s second year anniversary. “
“CGC has promised that all these roads, by the grace of God, will be inaugurated during the second year anniversary of Mr. President.”
” Indeed, I’m very elated, very happy, and I thank Mr. President for the support given to us, the encouragement for us to achieve this. It’s not easy.”
The FCT Minister also stated that in addition other road projects in Pai- Goma and Ushafa have been inaugurated in satellite towns as an addendum to mark Mr. President’s second year in office.
Wike thanked the president for giving the administration the needed financial support for all the projects.
He also expressed satisfaction at the level of work done by the contractors Gilmor and CGC and commended the locals for giving the construction companies the needed support to do their work.
Meanwhile, the minister disclosed that he has submitted the 2025 budget to Mr. President for onward transmission to the National Assembly for approval.
He said, “Well, as of yesterday, I have sent our 2025 budget, as approved by FCT Executive Committee. We know that by today, tomorrow, Mr. President will have transmitted our 2025 budget to the National Assembly.”
“Already, the 2024 budget will expire in June. So the funds we have for these projects in 2024 are still being used.”
“By the time the 2025 budget is passed, we know that we’ll not have problems in funding”, he explained.
Speaking on the ICC under renovation, Wike stated that when completed the Centre is going to attract a lot of economic activities, but promised that management of the edifice will no be business as usual.
The minister decried the lack of maintenance culture, and, promised that the maintenance contract will be given out to a private contract who will return back money to the administration.
“I mean, Nigeria needs an international conference center of standard, as compared to any other one in the world. So I think it’s going to attract a lot of economic activities, he emphasized.
