Residents Laud FCT Minister’s 2yrs Of IGR Growth, Infrastructure Landmarks

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Dr. Nyesom Wike, fondly called “Mr. Project,” and the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmud have marked their second anniversary in office with glaring impacful evidence.

Visible landmark achievements including increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, reforms, infrastructure, and citywide transformation have metamorphosed into the new look Abuja now wears, compared to what it was before they assumed office.

Since their assumption of office on 21st August 2023, the Ministers have pursued a bold agenda to reposition the FCT into a model city that reflects both the vision of the founding fathers and the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Under their leadership, the FCT Administration has witnessed an overhaul and sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening governance, career progression, accountability, effective service delivery, and unprecedented infrastructural strides.

On revenue generation, the Wike-led administration, through the newly rehabilitated ₦39 billion Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, has started generating millions of naira from the edifice like never before.

Similarly, Wike’s land reform initiative within the year under review compelled residents to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy, C-of-O, or risk land revocation, while strict enforcement of the law against ground rent defaulters generated more revenue for the FCT Administration than ever before.

“As at the time I came, we were generating about N9bn to N10bn. Today, by the grace of God, we are not generating less than N25bn a month.”Wike said.

In addition, ₦240 million was earmarked for the FCT Internal Revenue Service, FCT-IRS, to acquire modern tools and Microsoft 365 licenses to boost service efficiency.

With increased revenue generation under the dynamic FCT Ministers, with the support of President Tinubu and lawmakers, several capital-intensive projects were initiated, executed, and commissioned.

Notably, the unbeatable bridges and road infrastructure developments have drawn national attention, with the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, describing Minister Wike as “an antibiotic curing the under- development of Abuja.” True to his statement, Indeed, Abuja is now wearing a new infrastructural look, as confirmed by residents.

Also, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), with over 400 attendees at one of its congresses chaired by Comrade Grace Ike, and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, chaired by Comrade Bassey Ita-Ikpang, lauded Minister Wike for his visible delivery of impactful infrastructural development within the FCT.

Mr. Abu Andrew from Nyanya, Mr. Oseh Sunday from Gwagwalada, a roasted plantain seller from Saburi–Dei-Dei 1, and the Etsu of Kwali, HRH Luka Ayedoo Nizazzo III, expressed gratitude to the Wike-led administration for making people at the grassroots feel the impact of governance.

A corps member, Miss Olubunmi Oseh, commended the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for her humility, commitment to residents’ well-being, and team spirit in working with Minister Wike to transform Abuja.

The projects include the construction and commissioning of strategic road projects within Abuja metropolis, satellite towns, and rural communities, aimed at ensuring inclusive governance.

Some of the major road projects inaugurated within the past two years include: Arterial Road N16 (Maitama-Katampe), N5 (Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III), Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) carriageway, the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) near Wasa and the 25km kwaita – Yebo road in Kwali.

Other satellite and rural community roads completed and commissioned by the Wike-led administration include the 5km LEA–Secretariat–Market road in Kuje; 7.2km Gaba–Tokulu road; 16.4km dualized Ushafa–War College road and other roads in Bwari Area Council; as well as Saburi 1 & 2 roads in Dei-Dei, AMAC.

Also completed are the 9km Paikon Kore–Ibwa road, Aguma Palace road, and Radio Nigeria Market road in Gwagwalada; the A2–Pai road; the 11km Yangoji–Sukuku–Ebo road in Kwali Area Council; and the 5km Naharati–River Ukya–Angwan Hausawa road with two-span river bridges in Abaji Area Council.

In their first year in office, Wike and Dr. Mariya Mahmoud also resurfaced over 189 dilapidated roads within the city centre of Garki, as well as other connecting roads in Maitama, Asokoro, and Wuse.

These projects, residents say, have not only eased traffic congestion but also improved connectivity. Key among them are the Outer Southern Expressway, Wuye/Wuse Interchange, and Gwagwalada–Kwali Road dualisation, which boosted mobility for residents and businesses.

In the transportation sector, the FCTA under Wike’s leadership completed access roads to rail stations, rehabilitated the Abuja Light Rail to full operational capacity, and commissioned the Kugbo and Mabushi bus terminals, creating over 3,000 jobs for artisans and labourers in the territory.

Beyond road networks, Wike’s city beautification initiatives, includes demolition of shanties and illegal structures posing security threats, street lighting, and landscaping projects, have given the capital city a new glow, especially at night.

The Minister also purchased 80 brand-new vehicles to empower unemployed youths in Abuja and recently received 4 Presidential CNG buses and 14 private high capacity buses.

To consolidate on these feats, the FCT Ministers began their third year of stewardship with the flag-off of a rural water supply project in Karu, aimed at tackling potable water shortages in Bwari, Jikoyi, Kurudu, Kuje, and other adjoining communities, further demonstrating the administration’s commitment to expanding infrastructure to underserved areas.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji