30th May, 2024
By Philip Yatai
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has commended President Bola Tinubu for the attention he has given to the territory in the last year.
Wike gave the commendation during the inauguration of the interchange connecting Wuye and Wuse districts in Abuja by Tinubu on Thursday, as part of activities to celebrate the president’s one year in office.
The interchange is a special intersection designed to enable road users to cross, enter, or leave the expressway without interfering with the flow of traffic.
Wike recalled that the project was awarded in 2009 at the cost of N34 billion and revised to N74 billion before the inauguration of the Tinubu administration on May 29.
Wike added: “you can imagine, 15 years we are struggling to construct just one interchange. I can imagine the hardship the people here faced. Business activities of course will crumble.
“But to the glory of God, and by your determination and your mission, which is to bring back hope that has been lost, the bridge has been completed under your administration.”
The FCT Minister added that that residents would always cherish the project, given its importance.
Wike also said that the projects being inaugurated across the federal capital were made possible by the approval of Tinubu for the FCT Administration to pull out of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
He explained that “removing us from the TSA made it possible. The delivery of these projects was possible because of the tremendous support of President Tinubu.”
He said “when we were inaugurated, we sat down to look at a project we can complete within time, and that has value and can impact positively on the lives of the people.
“Residents of this district who are familiar with the terrain will appreciate what you have done and thank you for this interchange. It is not about how many kilometres; it is about the importance of the interchange to the people.”
Wike also commended chairmen of the FCT committees in the National Assembly, chairmen of the area councils and auxiliary matters for their unwavering support.
He equally thanked the Director-General of Debt Management Office for supporting the project, explaining that the project was partly funded by SUKUK.
He added that “me and the minister of state, we are happy to be part of your renewed hope mantra; that we are part of something that is contributing.
“Today, Nigerians can see that when you say something, it comes to reality.”
Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said “the Wuye interchange is one of the critical projects Wike considered to have direct impact on the operations and functionality of the network of the Transportation Master Plan of the city.
“Wuye is a residential district and when the minister came on board, among the critical projects considered was the Wuye district engineering project.
“He insisted that we should try to deliver the Wuye to Wuse link bridge.
“This will solve a lot of fatalities recorded in the connectivity between Wuye and Wuse and other adjoining districts on daily or weekly bases.
“It will also eliminate the chaotic traffic congestion at Julius Berger Roundabout which is the main linkage to Wuye District.” (NAN)