The Interview Editors
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu is completing all ongoing projects to make Abuja residents comfortable.
Wike stated this in Abuja on Monday, during the inauguration of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from the Villa Round about to Ring Road I (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway), by Tinubu.
Tinubu was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the inauguration, the fourth in a row to celebrate his one year in office.
The minister said that the project was awarded in 2013 at N39.8 billion but revised to N59.9 billion in 2021, adding that it was partly funded by SUKUK.
“This is 11 years that we have been battling on how to make life easy for our people.
“That is why the whole essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda is that we will make people feel comfortable; we will bring back your hope and this is what we are doing today.
“Mr. President said every uncompleted project must be completed and I thank God almighty that we are doing that today,” he said.
Wike thanked Tinubu and his team, the leadership of the National Assembly, and Area Councils’ Chairmen for all the necessary support which contributed to the achievements so far.
He added that under the Tinubu-led administration, the FCT Administration was also intervening in the education sector to ensure total rehabilitation of all schools that were not in good condition.
He equally said that the health sector was also receiving due attention, including rural roads across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
Wike said, “Why people are having their hope back is because, before they only heard about the government, but they did not see the impact of the government.
“But with the renewed hope agenda, governments exist, and they can feel the pulse of government. That is the essence of the renewed hope agenda.
“For those who think it is a mere talk, if you come to Abuja, you will know that it is a reality.”
The minister also attributed the success being recorded so far to teamwork, and advised the Mandate Secretaries against delay of files.
“You have to make sure that files don’t remain in your office for a certain number of days, if I see, I will transfer you to a place where there is no work,” he warned.
On her part, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that the increased accessibility provided by the OSEX would facilitate economic growth and development in the nation’s capital city.
“The benefits of city road expansion are manifold, ranging from improved traffic flow and economic growth to enhanced quality of life for residents,” Mahmoud added.
Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, explained that the OSEX was one of the boundary roads defining the Federal Capital City on the southern flank.
Ahmad said that the OSEX extended to about 67 kilometres, from the Villa Roundabout up to the Gwagwalada to link with the Federal Highway.
He explained that the development was in phases which began in the early 1980s.
He added that as a segment of the 67-kilometre expressway, the FCTA had completed about 6.7 kilometres, representing 10 per cent, from the Villa Roundabout to Apo Roundabout.
“It is a 10-lane expressway, made up of two service carriageways, totalling four, and two main carriage ways of four lanes.
“The road intercepted five roads named after five former Presidents of Nigeria – Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Way, Yakubu Gowon Way, Muhammadu Buhari Way, and Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway.
“It also has four interchanges at the point of interception of the road and four pedestrian bridges,” Ahmad said.
