The leadership of the Federal Capital Territory Administration is looking to deepen cross -border ties and enhance development between the territory and neighbouring Nasarawa state.
Specifically, the FCTA said it will work with the Nasarawa State in developing road infrastructure and improve security, considering the proximity of the state to the FCT.
FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, who was speaking when he received the Nasarawa state governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, in his office on Friday, believes that security challenges in contiguous states could have rippling effect on the nation’s capital.
In his words, “The issue of security is very important because anything that happens in Kogi, they will run down to FCT. Anything that happens in Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, they run down here. So we must tackle the issue of security heahead-on. We can’t do it alone without support from Nasarawa, Kogi, and the other neighbouring states.”
The minister also expressed the willingness to collaborate with Nasarawa government on their request to work on the Abacha road to Keffi as well as constructing a Metro Rail Line from Apo to Keffi.
Wike, while acknowledging that a metroline between both cities was key but however expensive, said he would only embark on projects he was sure of completion.
“One of the problems we have here, I must tell you is the problem of award of contracts without conclusion. Metro line from Apo to Keffi is key, but very expensive. We will discuss further with you.
“I’m trying to see how we can arrange a meeting between neighbouring states and FCT, so that we can put our heads together and get a system that we can see how we can tackle insecurity, because we cannot do it alone. So people like you, I think will make sure that the renewed hope agenda of the President can be achieved. Be assured that together we will work together, and make sure that the problem is tackled or reduced to the barest minimum,” Wike said.
Earlier, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, who solicited the collaboration of the FCT Administration for a metro train line from Apo to Keffi among other infrastructural development, said there was need for both leaders to work together, as many FCT workers are residing in Nasarawa State.
“Close to 40percent of those who work in FCT actually live in Nasarawa State.We have a lot of opportunities”.
Governor Sule also used the opportunity to commend President Bola Tinubu for appointing Wike as the minister of FCT, hoping that Wike would replicate the works he did as governor of Rivers State.
