In a major move to boost infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, revealed yesterday that the present administration had spent almost N100 billion on development in the Bwari area council alone.
Wike made this known during the commissioning of the newly completed Gaba-Tokulo Road, which included the construction of two span bridges.
The minister emphasised the importance of the Gaba-Tokulo road project, which he stated cost approximately N7 billion.
He highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to infrastructure enhancement, noting that the rehabilitation of the entire Dutse express road to Bwari town alone had an expenditure of at least N27 billion.
“For the entirety of the Ushafa War College and all associated roads in Ushafa, we have invested no less than N28 billion. When you calculate just road infrastructure spending for Bwari area council, it’s approximately N62.2 billion,” he said.
He further detailed the investments made in the educational sector, citing costs upwards of N27 billion for various schools, including Government Girls Secondary School Dutse and the newly established Government Secondary School Ushafa.
“Adding these figures together places us near N100 billion for one area council. This indicates that hope is indeed being restored,” he added.
Wike emphasised the collaborative approach taken with stakeholders in Bwari, stating, “Through stakeholder engagement, the people expressed their desire for this road. We commenced the project in January of last year, and today, on January 24, 2025, we are proud to inaugurate it.”
He reiterated the directive from President Bola Tinubu to construct important roads in each area council, noting that significant progress has been made since the start of their administration.
“We will ensure that every area council is allocated at least one road project in the forthcoming 2025 budget,” Wike stated.
In addition to road infrastructure, Wike announced the establishment of two new police divisions in Igwu and Ushafa to enhance security in the region, which is expected to be completed by May, this initiative aims to bolster the safety of residents.
The minister further praised the prompt payment to contractors like Setraco, which he attributed as a key factor in timely project completion. “This is not a government that makes empty promises. We ensure that funds are available for the contracts awarded,” he said.
He also thanked the traditional rulers for maintaining peace in their communities and lauded the youth for their support in ensuring the project’s success.
Wike also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and for prioritising developments that directly benefit local communities.