From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has described the President Bola Tinubu’s administration as one that fulfills promises.
He said this at the commissioning of Wike inaugurated the Naharati-River Ukya to Unguwan Hausawa Road in Abaji Area Council, a newly constructed 5-kilometer route featuring a three-span river bridge, kicking off the week-long event.
“Throughout this week, from today till Friday, we will have devoted ourselves to commissioning of projects in the six area councils. So that everybody will know that we are not only concentrating in the city, as we are developing the city, so also we will be developing the satellite towns.
“I thank you for the support you have given to the administration of our president, who indeed, we thank almighty God for giving him to Nigeria at this time that is very very critical.
“Every promise we have made, be assured that we are going to fulfill the promises we have made. Don’t take us as the usual politicians, No. Ours is to make a promise, fulfill the promise to the people.”
He announced yesterday that his administration will be handover two newly built police stations within a few months to tackle the insecurity issues in Abaji.
The road was flagged off in January 2024, and he had assured the locals were assured that construction which had already started at the Abuja University of Technology Abaji and would be finished on record time.
According to Wike, “You will recall that in late 2023, precisely October-November, when we came to Abaji for stakeholder’s meeting. We did consult you and we said that day that President had sent us and it was for you to make a request of one road that you felt was so important for us to execute. This is the road through your chairman of council, you sent to us.
“Let me specially thank all the area council chairman, particularly our host, the chairman of Abaji. In that stakeholder’s meeting, we did make a promise, as requested, that more police division is needed to beef up the security in Abaji. And we promise, by the grace of God, we shall provide two more police divisions in Abaji.
“I also did tell you that day that whatever we agree, go home and rest, we shall fulfill it. January last year, after the stakeholder’s meeting, we flagged off this particular project, and I did say, this project will be ready for commissioning in December.
“I want to thank the company they completed this project in November. Today, we are in January 2025, we flagged it off in January 2024, we are commissioning today in January 2025.
“In next few months, we will also come back and hand over the two police divisions that we are building for you. We did make a promise that we are going to provide infrastructure in Abaji University. As we speak now, you are aware construction is going on in that university.
“Let me thank the people of Abaji for the support. If you did not give the company the support, they may not have finished this project on time. When I came here during the construction, that was when they were doing the bridge, and I had to drive around, then I knew the importance of this particular road. I told everybody who cares that, while we are developing the city, we will also develop the satellite towns”.
The Minister continued, “Throughout this week, from today till Friday, we will have devoted ourselves to commissioning of projects in the six area councils. So that everybody will know that we are not only concentrating in the city, as we are developing the city, so also we will be developing the satellite towns.
“I thank you for the support you have given to the administration of our president, who indeed, we thank almighty God for giving him to Nigeria at this time that is very very critical. Every promise we have made, be assured that we are going to fulfill the promises we have made. Don’t take us as the usual politicians, No. Ours is to make a promise, fulfill the promise to the people.
“I also thank Mr. President for giving I and the Honorable Minister of State and the Honorable Senator the opportunity to contribute to the development of Abuja.
“If he had not given me the opportunity, probably the title you have given me today, you wouldn’t have given it to me. So I thank you for that title too. Thankfully The Honorable Minister of State, who told me what it means, saying it means the “Light Of The People”.
“This administration of Mr. President is “The Light of Nigeria”. Let everybody be assured that Nigeria will get to where we want to get to, under the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinibu, General Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” .
Commending the security agencies he said, “Let me also thank the security agencies for the good job they are doing to make sure that security challenges are being curtailed. I would say you have done quite enough, you have done very well, and we continue to encourage you to do more.
“The people of Abuja, be assured that government will continue to support you people. This year’s budget of 2025, be assured that you will get another road as far as you are concerned.
“As we are getting to 2 years anniversary of Mr. President, which is in May, we are also going to commission a lot of projects in the satellite towns”.
The Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, in her welcome address said even though urban development often takes spotlight, “While urban development often takes the spotlight, it is imperative that we do not overlook the needs of our rural communities. I have no doubt that rural road infrastructure forms the backbone of rural economies and contributes significantly to the overall development of a nation.
“Also, improved road networks such as this Naharati access road connect rural producers to markets, enabling them to sell their goods at fair prices and access essential services more easily. This enhances productivity, creates employment opportunities, and stimulates local economies. This goes to mean that to get the FCT of our dreams, we MUST first strengthen its roots, and all our roots are our Area Councils, Satellite Towns and villages”.