By Dr Yusuf John Suberu
Before President Bola Tinubu assumed office May 29, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, was faced with the challenge of abandoned projects especially in the area of road infrastructure.
The Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda was, however, expected to, among other things, complete ongoing projects and transform the FCT into a more habitable and economically vibrant city.
When Nyesom Wike was appointed Minister of FCT in August 2023, He vowed to deliver on Tinubu’s mandate and administer the territory in compliance with the Abuja Master Plan.
Therefore, to state that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has witnessed impressive strides under the leadership of Wike, would be stating the obvious.
However, Wike said that his administration will block all financial leakages hindering the completion of projects within the territory.
Wike said this on his verified Meta page (Facebook) after he and the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmud, inspected the Usuma Water Supply Project, Gurara Road and other projects being executed by the FCTA.
The minister lamented the existence of abandoned projects across the territory and promised to provide adequate funding to complete them.
He promised to overhaul the engineering services and correct systemic issues responsible for the abandonment of projects.
The minister particularly pointed out that some of the contracts were awarded in 2007; some in 2011, while others were awarded between 2015 and 2017, but all abandoned.
To address these challenges, the minister summoned all the contractors handling different projects in the FCT to a meeting to know what the problems were and how to get them back to site.
“Our problem is funding,” the contractors lamented while assuring the Minister that they would get back to work if they were mobilised.
In the long run, Wike got most of the contractors back to site after agreeing on a payment plan with money from the FCT Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and budgetary allocations.
The Minister personally inspected the execution of the projects and kept the contractors on their toes to ensure quality and timely delivery of the projects.
In a short span of time, Wike has demonstrated his decisiveness and efficiency by appointing and inaugurating mandate secretaries. Additionally, he initiated the rehabilitation and resurfacing of abandoned roads across the county, a significant undertaking that will greatly enhance transportation infrastructure.
Moreover, He successfully facilitated the removal of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account of the federal government. This achievement has granted the FCT greater autonomy over its resources, fostering local development and prosperity.
Recognizing the importance of a competent civil service, Wike established the FCT Civil Service Commission. This move ensures career progression for civil servants, promoting professionalism and efficiency within the FCT administration.
In the same vein, he inaugurated the first Secretariat for Women Affairs in the FCT, demonstrating his commitment to gender equality and empowerment.
One of the completed projects is the construction of the official residence of the Vice President, which was awarded in 2010 but abandoned.
Another project was the rehabilitation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) system, now ready for commercial operations, access roads to the train stations and parking lots.
The minister equally completed the resurfacing of 189 roads covering 57 km within the Abuja city centre.
Wike also completed the interchange bridge, linking Wuye and Wuse I District under the provision of Wuye District Infrastructure project.
Other completed projects included the renovation of the FCT minister’s residence in Life Camp and the construction of 11km access road from the Airport Expressway to Kuje Township.
Addressing the concerns of the FCT residents, Wike took steps to rehabilitate street lights, illuminating substantial areas of the territory at night. In addition, he prioritized the security of lives and property in the FCT, implementing measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
He assured that other ongoing projects would be completed by December, before awarding another set of abandoned projects.
Some of the ongoing projects included the rehabilitation and resurfacing of 366 roads in Wuse, Garki, Asokoro and Maitama Districts, covering 117km.
Also ongoing are the rehabilitation of District Hospital Gwarimpa, Cottage Hospital Gwagwalada and District Hospital Utako, provision of access road to Kabusa Garden Estate, and Greater Abuja Water Supply Project.
The construction of one Service Carriageway of Inner Northern Expressway from Ring Road III to Ring Road IV, as well as120km rural roads across the six Area Councils were also ongoing. Other ongoing projects include the rehabilitation of Federal Secretariat Phase I and the rehabilitation of 19 public primary and secondary schools across the territory.
The area of security was not left out, as the Wike administration mobilised the Army and Police to comb the Bwari, Mpape and Kuje forests where bandits and kidnappers had kidnapped people.
The swift and sting operation led to the rescue of abductees. Security so far in the FCT has improved. On education, healthcare and water, the minister has also taken measures to improve the sector.
The Traditional institution also had it fair share as vehicles were given to them in order to improve security in their domains. Today,the Abuja metropolis are having a new look. One chance robbery has dropped drastically with mass arrests of culprits.
Reacting to the massive growth, FCT residents described Wike as an epitome of greatness and inspiration, worthy of emulation.
Olubiyo Adepegba, a businessman said that Tinubu-led administration was really working and deserved a high commendation.
“Sincerely, if you ask me how happy I am, I cannot even express myself because these roads have been abandoned for years. Look at Wuye for example; it is easy to ply that road now without unnecessary traffic or holdup.
“I believe it is ongoing, because if Wike can achieve all these in nine months, trust me, before His tenure expires, FCT will be “Nigeria Japan”, he said.
I cannot even imagine how one Man will turn things around like this within a space of nine months. It is unbelievable if told but seeing is believing and that is what we have seen in FCT, said a resident in Area 1.
Dr Yusuf John Suberu is the founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dr Yusuf Suberu Foundation.
