By Abba -Eku Onyeka, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s dedication to developing the FCT through the provision of access roads.
This commitment was made clear during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of an access road leading to the site of the new Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) academy in Giri District, Abuja on Thursday.
This was contained in a press release from the Director of Press, Office of the Minister Thursday
According to Barr. Wike, the provision of access roads will have a multifaceted impact on the development of the FCT. It will encourage the development of the real estate sector, enhance access to markets for agricultural produce, and decongest the Abuja city center.
The Minister noted that some parts of the FCT remain undeveloped due to the lack of access roads, but with the construction of this access road, the area is expected to experience rapid development.
The 3-kilometer access road, which commences from the airport expressway at the Bill Clinton Interchange and descends to the EFCC academy site at plot 18 in Giri District, is expected to be completed within 9 months. The road project will be fitted with all the facilities of a well-planned road and will enhance rapid development within the area.
Barr. Wike clarified that the road was not being constructed specifically for the EFCC but to open up a part of the FCT where the EFCC’s new academy is also located, thereby making them a beneficiary of the road project.
He emphasized that the community will also benefit from the road project, as people will now build houses, and farmers will bring their produce to the city.
The FCT Minister thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to contribute to the FCT’s infrastructural development and for providing the necessary funding and support for the FCT Administration. He also assured the contractor of the availability of funds and urged them to ensure the project’s timely completion.
In his remark, the Chairman, EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede, who was represented by the Secretary of the Commission, Malam Muhammed Hamma-Joda, thanked President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for their commitment to the provision of infrastructure in the FCT.
Senator David Jimkuta, Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, commended the FCT Minister’s developmental efforts, saying that the construction of the access road will stimulate economic activities in the FCT.
He observed that about 79 percent of the capital projects approved in the 2024 budget for the FCT have been implemented and expressed confidence that the FCT will achieve 100 percent implementation by the end of the year.
