By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is not about party but about changing the lives of Nigerians.

Wike stated this while inaugurating the five-kilometre dualised Kuje township road, from Tipper Garage Junction to LEA Secretariat, in Kuje Area Council, Abuja.

He explained that the execution of various people-oriented projects across the six area councils was in fulfilment of Tinubu’s pre-election promise to residents of Abuja.

“You have fulfilled your own part. The covenant Mr President has entered with you was that you should vote for him.

“Having voted for him, Mr President is now coming to fulfil part of his own agreement.

“You, having performed your own agreement, Tinubu is now coming to perform his agreement by providing basic infrastructure for you.

“We know we have not gotten to the point you all want but by the grace of God, we will get there.

“My people say, ‘small, small, you will catch a monkey.’ We are getting there,” the minister said.

Wike, who could not hide his excitement over the display of joy by the people of Kuje, stressed that the essence of governance was to make people happy.

“Since you are happy, then we are happy; when you are not happy, we cannot be happy,” he added.

The minister added that the Tinubu-led government understands the plights of the people, describing it as a “government that communicates with the people.”

He explained that only Tinubu’s administration gives residents the opportunity to ask for what they want, and the government would fulfil their demands.

“So, the renewed hope agenda is a reality. I can assure you that with your continued support, you will get more projects in Kuje,” he said.

Wike explained that the Kuje township road was executed following a demand by the Gomo of Kuje, Jibrin Tanko, who equally appealed for the completion of Airport Road to Kuje.

He explained that the project was awarded to Arab Contractors by the previous administration at more than N59 billion.

He said that to renew the hope of residents of Kuje, Tinubu government had recalled the contractor, and the project was ongoing and would be completed soon.

He also said that the FCT Administration had promised to dualise Kuje to Gwagwalada Road, adding that work had already begun by Gilmor Engineering ltd.

The Minister also announced the Administration’s decision to extend the Airport Road to Kuje up to Pegi and from Pegi, in response to the demand of the residents.

“President Tinubu has approved the extension of Airport Road – Kuje Road to Pegi. We will also continue from there to Kwakwu.

“By the grace of God, when we are presenting our statutory budget to the National Assembly, we will include it.

“Again, sometime last year, we went to China and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CGC, a Chinese company to provide water to satellite towns.

“One of the benefiting area councils is Kuje Area Council,” he said.

Wike also said that Tinubu has provided N50 billion in the 2025 budget to provide water to the satellite towns, adding that Kuje would be a beneficiary.

Earlier, the Chairman of the council, Mr Abdullahi Sabo, commended Wike for investing huge resources for the development of area councils.

Sabo said that Wike’s dream of transforming satellite towns in FCT was becoming a reality, adding that Kuje was wearing a new look following the Minister’s intervention.

Thanked the Minister for extending the contract for the dualisation of Kuje to Gwagwalada Road.

He appealed for the extension of the ongoing construction of Airport – Kuje Road, from Kuje to Kwaku, covering 27 kilometres.

He said that the request was necessary due to the importance of the road, to connect more than 100 villages and communities to Abuja city, via Kuje.

“The road, if constructed, will address the challenge of insecurity in that axis, improve agricultural production, transportation of agricultural produce to urban centres and reduce rural urban migration.

“As area council, we have one bush clearance, constructed culvert and graded the road while construction of three bridges is ongoing across three major rivers along the road,” he said.

The chairman also appealed to the Minister to connect Kuje to the Lower Usuma Dam water for the residents to enjoy clean water.

According to him, since the creation of Kuje Area Council, the residents rely heavily on boreholes for clean water.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza