WIKE INSPECTS ONGOING CONSTRUCTION OF SOME KEY PROJECTS AHEAD OF MAY 2024 02-03-24
By Sadiq Aminu Ahead of the May 2024 delivery date for some key projects in the FCT, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, today being Saturday, Mr Nyesom Wike embarked on an inspection of three ongoing projects in the FCT.
The projects are, the provision of Wuye District infrastructure, including a flyover, the FCT Highway 105 (11km six lane dual carriageway) linking the Airport Expressway to Kuje and the official residence of the Vice President.
On his impression about the projects, Mr. Wike said he was very happy with the speed and quality of work and commended the contractors.
He said the contractors had also assured that the Wuye/Wuse flyover, which is 85 percent completed and the Vice President’s official residence will be ready by May this year.
The Minister further stated that the FCT Highway 105 (11km six lane dual carriageway) linking the Airport Expressway to Kuje when completed, would open up the area and bring a lot of changes to the FCT.
According to the Minister, “I have to commend the various contractors, the Arab Contractors and Julius Berger. The first site we went to is almost 85 percent complete, one of those interchanges in Wuye District. The contractors are keeping to faith with their commitment to handover the project by May.
“And then we also went to the Kuje road which is the six lane road. It’s about 11 kilometers. That road from the airport road down to Kuje will open up that area of the Area Council. The last time when I went to flag off one of the rural roads, we didn’t see much about the contractors and I did say that the contractors are not serious. But going back there today, one is very impressed with the level of work and the quality of work. I’m quite impressed with what I saw”.
Speaking further on the official residence of the Vice President, the Minister said the contractors were at the stage of electrical installations, which might not be quite visible but assured that a lot of changes would be seen in the next few weeks while assuring that the project would be ready by May.
He said, “We were at the VP’s residence which is being handled by Julius Berger and like I said, they have made further commitment that by May, they are going to hand over. Why we may not be seeing enough of what we think should be improvements is because they are concentrating on electrical cables. By the next two, three weeks, you will see a lot of changes. They are known for quality and we are really financing them well”.
Mr. Wike also reiterated that no ongoing project in the FCT would be abandoned.
He said the projects that are considered as priority have been included in the FCT’s 2024 statutory budget for adequate funding.
According to the Minister, “We have always said that we are not going to allow any project to be abandoned. We have taken our priorities and most of these projects are also being included in our 2024 statutory budget, which will soon be presented to the National Assembly by Mr. President when he returns from Qatar”.
The Minister also addressed the concern of residents over the seeming delay in the road resurfacing exercise, particularly in the Asokoro District and assured that the project would also be ready by May.
He said, “What we have said is that these things will be completed before or handed over by May. If you look at the AYA road, it’s being handled by Julius Berger and you know their own style of work, they like to scrape and then take all together when they want to asphalt. So, it is not as if it has been abandoned. When they want to asphalt, they take all at the same time. So, there is nothing like abandonment. What is important to us is if they are going to meet up to the date that they have committed themselves.
“Frankly speaking, I’m very happy with the quality and the speed. By May, a lot of Nigerians will see the changes as far as the FCT is concerned”.
The Minister was accompanied on the road inspection tour by the Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr. Hadi Ahmed, the Director Engineering, Engr. Obiora Ezeoha, former Senator representing the FCT, Sen. Phillip Aduda and senior officials of the FCT Administration.