Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike has said that the administration of President Ahmed Tinubu has earmarked over 300billion naira in one year, towards the development of Area Councils of the FCT.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Paikon Kore – Ibwa road in Gwagwalada Area Council yesterday, January 22, Wike said that out of the amount, over N50 billion was for the development of Gwagwalada Area Council, which includes the renovation of Paikon Kore Ibwa road, the reconstruction of the Aguma palace road, renovation of 5 secondary schools and the building of two police divisions.
The Minister expressed President Tinubu’s commitment to the development of not only the city but the satellite towns and has directed him to provide for the people of the Area Councils whatever they need. He said that the President believes that governance is about seeking the peoples buy-in in every project that is for their well being.
“For this road, the President has committed N8.5b. If you are asking what the President has done for the people of Gwagwalada Area Council, put it on record now. In Aguma Palace road, Mr President has committed N22b and that road will be commissioned in May this year.
“As I speak to you, we are renovating five secondary schools in Gwagwalada. One is the school for the Gifted. Two, Government Secondary School Gwagwalada. Three, GSS Anagada. Four, GSS Tugan Maje. Five, GSS Giri. For these, N16.5b.
“I have not calculated the two police divisions that we are building in Gwagwalada as we speak now, in order to enhance the security of this area. If you add the total value of what the President has committed to Gwagwalada alone, you are talking about over N50b, for one area council. If you now add the six area councils taking that Gwagwalada is the least, you will see that in a year, the President has committed to the development of satellite towns, not less than N300b.
“It is important for people to have this record because, you see people will go out and say they are only developing the city, nothing is happening in the Area Councils.”
Minister Wike promised to build the Ibwa bridge as requested by the leadership of the Area Council, describing the bridge as very important to the community.
The Minister said that the cost will be included in the FCT’s 2025 statutory budget.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Vice Chairman Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator Joel Thomas and the Chairman, House of Representative committees on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Fred Agbede, commended the FCT Minister and Minister of State for their dedication to the growth of the FCT, adding that the National Assembly is happy with their performance. Both lawmakers pledged their support for the FCTA and enjoined residents to continue to support the administration for more dividends of democracy.
In her address, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud described the 9km Paikon Kore-Ibwa road as not just a road network but a symbol of progress, connectivity, and economic growth for the community.
She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly for their support for the FCTA and the FCT Minister for prioritizing the project and ensuring its successful completion.