FCT: Wike commissions 5km Abaji road

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike on Monday commissioned the nine-kilometre road in Abaji Area Council of the nation’s capital, Abuja.

The access road connects Naharati, River Ukya to Ungwan Hausawa community in Abaji Area Council.

Wike, during the commissioning, told Abaji people that they should expect another road as contained in the 2025 budget.

The minister recalled that in October last year, he flagged off the road project with a promise to deliver in December 2024. He said the contractor delivered the job before schedule by November last year.

He said the project was a promise made and a promise kept. He charged the people not to categorise them as other politicians who promise and fail.

“Recollect in late 2023, precisely October when we came to Abaji for a 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 you feel was so important for us to execute. This is the road, through your chairman of council.” he stated.

Wike also assured the people that two police divisions were under construction in the area council as well as the Abuja University of Technology, Abaji, AUTA.

“We did make a promise, as requested, that more police divisions are 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 fulfil it. 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, and we are commissioning today in January 2025.

“In the 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 were going to provide infrastructure at Abaji University. As we speak now, you are aware construction is going on in that university.”

The minister also expressed his commitment to developing the rural areas, just like he is developing the city centre of the FCT.

“I told everybody who cares that, while we are developing the city, we will also develop the satellite towns. Throughout this week, from today till Friday, we will devote ourselves to the commissioning of projects in the six area councils. So that everybody will know that we are not only concentrating on the city, as we are developing the city, so also we will be developing the satellite towns.

“Every promise we have made, be assured that we are going to fulfil the promises. Don’t take us as the usual politicians, No, ours is to make a promise and fulfil the promise to the people.”

Wike assured the people of another road project: “Another road is on the way, as in this year’s 2025 budget.”

The Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud in her vote of thanks noted that rural road infrastructure forms the backbone of the national economy.

She said opening up the rural areas stimulates productivity in the rural areas.

Also speaking, Senator David Jimkuta, Senate Committee chairman on FCT and Ancillary Matters noted that developing the rural area is a global phenomenon that attracts World Bank support.

Also, Abdulrahman Ajia, Reps member representing Abuja South commended Wike for transforming the area.

He said as a member of the Appropriation Committee, they are always pleased with Wike’s budget proposals as the performance always speaks for itself.

Earlier, chairman of Abaji Area Council, Abubakar Abdullahi who was excited about Wike transforming his area council, told Wike that he also has embarked on some projects like the completion of an 80-bed capacity hospital, a 750-capacity modern ICT Centre and 300 residents being trained on various skills.

He appealed to Wike to find time out of his busy schedule to come and commission the projects.

Abaji is a Southwestern gateway to the FCT, about one and half hour’s drive to the city centre.

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