Wike Flags-off Maitama Roads Resurfacing, Urges CSOs To Project Govt

In continuation of road rehabilitation work, Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike has again flagged- off the resurfacing of 189 roads in Maitama district.

On the occasion in Abuja, Mr Wike emphasized that the projects were targeted to be completed before the end of May unfailingly, and charged the Civil Society Groups to always project the good works of Government.

He explained that the FCT Administration was committed to play its part of providing the required funds, and directed the Executive Secretary of FCDA to tell the contractors to brace up to the task ahead, towards completing the rehabilitation by May 2024.

The FCT Minister therefore urged the contractors handling the various road projects, particularly the indigenous contractors to expedite action in delivering the jobs as scheduled, warning that he would not hesitate to fire any local contractor due to incompetence .

“We are the agent of Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Party is a vehicle, after which, you think governance. I support local content. But I don’t support local content without capacity. So, if this continue, I will have no choice but to revoke the contract”.

Mr Wike also used the medium to express displeasure over the slow pace of work at the AYA roundabout in Asokoro, and vowed that the FCT must work.

“So, ES FCDA, I don’t know the contractors, you are the one that know them. So tell them to expedite action” Wike directed.

Speaking on the inconveniences that usually come with road construction, the FCT Minister appealed to residents to be patient with the contractors, noting that the hardship will only be temporal to usher in the desired transformation in the territory.

“You cannot talk about development without making sacrifices. There must be inconveniences, but after that inconvenience, you will benefit from it.” Wike said.

He however urged the residents, especially those in high- brow areas to be ready to pay their taxes to enable government source money to complete the projects.

“What we are doing now is not within the area councils. This is the big men’s place. But when they tell them to pay tax now, they’ll begin to complain. They are happy the road is being resurfaced, but ask them where will the money come from, if not tax”.

“When we started to see how we could get more tax and more revenue, there was nothing they did not do to fight me. I’m not worried. I will not shake. I will do what is right. So, don’t expect to have good roads without paying tax”.

The Executive Secretary FCDA, Shehu Hadi Ahmad explained that the resurfacing work will cover 57 km stretch of 189 roads traversing Maitama, Garki and Utako.

On his part, the Sapeyi of Garki, Alhaji Usman Ngakupi called for intervention in the completion of Apo- Karshi road to ease traffic Jam in the area.

In his welcome address, AMAC Chairman, Mr Christopher Maikalangu commended Wike for his strides, and requested for water connection in some parts of AMAC.

Senate Committee Chairman on FCT, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, who acknowledged Wike’s phenomenal feat on infrastructural development pledged the lawmakers readiness to give FCT Administration the needed support to transform the city.

Some of the youtts on the occasion couldn’t hide their joy as they were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Wike is our mentor,” FCT is working under Wike”, “Mr President thank you for appointing Wike as FCT Minister” among others.

By Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji