BY Sarah NEGEDU
Nearly two decades after they were first installed, the Federal Capital Territory Administration is considering the replacement and upgrading of streetlights along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway.
This is as the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Engr. Richard Dauda, observed that most of the lightnings along the 14-kilometer road stretch, starting from Maitama all through to Gudu-Garki, are no longer bright owing to prolonged usage of what he described as obsolete technology.
Dauda, who stated this at the end of the 14th Executive Committee meeting of the FCTA chaired by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, said the EXCO had graciously granted approval for the replacement of the streetlights along with six other memoranda presented to the FCT EXCO by the FCDA.
According to the acting ES, “If you pass there in the night, you will realize that most of it is in darkness. The street lights there have been there for close to 15 years now. The project was completed around 2005 or 2006 and the lights have become obsolete. They are no more bright and new technology has come for the street lighting. So the hybrid system is going to be deployed there to brighten the place and make it more secure and more motorable at night.”
Other approvals granted to the FCDA include the construction of a new magistrate court complex in Jabi to replace an earlier site in Maitama deemed unsuitable.
The EXCO also granted approval for the provision of pedestrian access controls at interchanges. The access control project involves the installation of mesh wire fencing and walkways at 12 interchanges to curb open defecation, deter criminal activity, and improve city aesthetics.
Also approved was the construction of access roads, drainage and culverts in Durumi District, particularly around the Apostolic Church axis.
Similarly, the EXCO gave a nod to the provision of infrastructure to parts of Mabushi District, especially Kez Udezue street and surrounding roads, with the scope covering access roads, street lighting, water and sewage systems.
Approval was also secured for the complete renovation, furnishing and technical upgrades at the Department of State Services, DSS, headquarters, as well as the ratification of emergency erosion control works carried out on a major water pipeline corridor from the Lower Usman Dam through Kubwa and the airport, down to Gwagwalada. The erosion, which posed a threat to water supply infrastructure, had been addressed by CGC Nigeria Limited on an emergency basis.
In addition to the FCDA projects, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, obtained approval for three key requests, including the operation and maintenance of the Apo sewage erector, extension of service contracts for the Wupa Basic Sewage Treatment Plant, and continued provision of solid waste collection and management services in 40 locations across the FCT for an additional two months.
Coordinator of the AMMC, Felix Obuah said, “These approvals are critical to sustaining urban services, particularly in areas of sanitation and environmental health. Altogether, the three projects are worth about N2.6 billion.”
