The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, seems to be an administrator in a hurry. This is evident in the number of infrastructure, especially roads building and schools’ renovations that are either ongoing or have been commissioned by him since he was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in 2023.
From Monday, January 20 to January 24, 2025, it was roads’ commissioning galore by the minister and other officials of the FCT administration.
No area council can complain of having been neglected in the projects bazaar even for projects that ordinarily should be for the area councils to deliver on.
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the minister commissioned the 5-kilometer temporary access road connecting Saburi 1 and 2 communities to the Outer Northern Expressway, ONEX, and the old Keffi, Dei-Dei International market road in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC.
It was cheering to note the minister pledging the reconstructing of the Dei-Dei International Market Road to Life Camp with a completion date for later this year.
Some of the roads that have been commissioned affecting over 70 communities include; the 5km Gaba-Tokulo road in Bwari Area Council, War College and all the roads in Ushafa, the 5 kilometer asphalt carriageway from Garage Junction to LEA Secretariat in Kuje, the Paikon Kore – Ibwa road in Gwagwalada Area Council, Aguma Palace road, amongst others.
The minister gave the indication that various secondary schools are being renovated or overhaul entirely as part of the infrastructural drive.
As commendable as the efforts are, one nagging concern have been the attention to quality.
Mr. Wike had indicated that some of the commissioned roads were awarded this January and were already being commissioned.
It is interesting if these are merely farm roads or well-macadamised roads that can stand the test of time owing to the several billions that have been ploughed into these projects.
Like it is commonly said, the taste of the pudding is in the eating and the rains will determine the durability of the roads.
This worry is further spurred by the concerns of the minister on the “delays” by procurement laws.
While efficiency is expedient, caution on spending public funds is necessary, hence, the rigorous demands of due process.
If anything, the minister needs to ensure that procurement laws are been adhered to as he transforms the FCT especially satellite communities and towns.
For long, residents outside the elite neighbourhoods of CBD, Maiatama, Asokoro, Wuse 2 and associated districts have been left out of the Abuja Dream.
It will do well that same verve and push for roads rehabilitation in areas like Karu Site, Kubwa and Lugbe are applied.
For now, the minister is on the right track and should not rest on his oars.
