By Sarah NEGEDU
No new district will be created in the Federal Capital Territory until infrastructure are provided in all the existing districts, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed.
This is according to a directive by President Bola Tinubu, instructing the FCT Minister to ensure the provision of infrastructure to link all districts in the FCT.
Wike, who dropped the hint while flagging off the Mabushi access road from arterial N11 to Judges Quarters on Wednesday, said with the presidential directive, all existing districts would be linked with good road network to reduce the hardship of residents.
The minister also assured that administration will not leave any project uncompleted, stressing that no ongoing project will outlive his tenure.
“in line with the mandate, Mr. President has directed that before we create new Districts in Abuja, the ones that have been created should have the basic infrastructure that cities are supposed to have.
“And these contracts are being awarded the Federal Executive Council and not FCT. No project under our tenure will stay beyond it, as every projects we award, by the grace of God, I will make sure that we are not going to leave any abandoned project for anybody.
“We are not going to leave projects, where there will be variation or augmentation. So we will pay you as at when due.”
He further assured the contractors that all contracts awarded under the Renewed Hope Administration in the territory would be well funded to completion, without giving room for any variations, to avert leaving liabilities for successive Government.
“Again, I want to assure the contractor we have made adequate provision to make sure that this road is completed within the time, which is in May 2025.
“But, for the procurement problem that we have had, I’m sure they would have completed even before May. I still believe that they have the capacity to meet the time that have given.
“We, on our part will make sure that we are not going to owe you (contractor), as we are going to pay immediately. These roads are very key to us, in order to reduce that hardship our people facing.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Engr. Hadi Ahmad revealed that the 3.2km Mabushi way connecting Katampe and other adjoining districts, will be completed within the next 7 months, to be part of projects that will be commissioned to mark President Tinubu’s two years in office.
