President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has committed over ₦300 billion to the provision of infrastructure in satellite towns of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, disclosed this on Wednesday while commissioning the nine-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa road in Gwagwalada Area Council.
The minister said no government has committed so many resources and investments into FCT communities like President Tinubu.
Wike said in Gwagwalada Area Council alone, they have committed ₦8.5 billion on the Paikon Kore road, and ₦22 billion is being committed to the Aguma Palace – Market road – FRCN road. This road, he said, would be commissioned in May during the second anniversary of Mr President.
He said: “Now, if you add the total value of what Mr President has committed to Gwagwalada alone, you are talking about over 50 billion Naira for one area council. Now, if you add the six area councils, just take this as the base because this is the least of all the area councils. So, you will see that in a year, Mr President has committed to the development of satellite towns, not less than 300 billion Naira.
“As I speak to you, we have completed and we are still renovating five secondary schools in Gwagwalada. The School For The Gifted Gwagwalada, Government Secondary School Gwagwalada, GSS Abagada (not sure about the name), GSS Tungan Maje, GSS Giri. The total value for these is 16.5 billion Naira.
“Now, if you calculate this total amount, I have not added the total police divisions that we are building in Gwagwalada. As we speak now, in order to enhance the security of this area.”
Responding to the request of the area council chairman, Wike approved the construction of a new bridge linking Ibwa community to others.
Senator David Jimkuta, Senate Committee chairman on FCT, who was represented by his deputy, noted that President Tinubu is proud of Wike’s achievements, just like the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, is equally happy with the performance of the FCT Minister.
“People thought that you could only swim in rivers but you have proved that you can swim in oceans. This committee is prepared to support you so that you can do what you have in mind for the FCT.”
Also, Fred Agbedi, House Committee chairman on FCT and Ancillary Matters, said that Wike has changed the narrative as now, what is going to happen in the FCT is urban-rural drift as it is better now to live in rural areas and work in urban areas.
Earlier, the Area Council chairman, Abubakar Giri, who was represented by his Vice, Saidu Zuba, said that the people were happy with him as they were excited over what he has done for them.
He then requested Wike to assist with the construction of a bridge, a request Wike granted.
