By Eunice Orike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has invested heavily in Nigeria’s satellite towns, particularly in the FCT.
Adding that within his first year in office, President Tinubu has committed over N300 billion to infrastructure development projects across six area councils in Abuja.
The FCT Minister, who said this in Abuja, at the official commissioning of the newly reconstructed 9 kilometres, Paikon kore – Ibwa Road in Gwagalada Area Council, FCT, revealed that in Gwagwalada Area Council alone, the President has committed over N50 billion to various projects, including:
Paikon Kore Road, N8.5 billion for construction
Aguma Palace Road, N22 billion, scheduled for commissioning in May,
Renovation of Secondary Schools, N16.5 billion for five schools, including The School For The Gifted Gwagwalada and Government Secondary School Gwagwalada and the Construction of Police Divisions which is an ongoing project to enhance security in the area.
“This was a road we flagged up sometime January last year. Today is 22nd of January, 2025. You would recollectt that, sometimes when we were in August last year, around October, November, we had a stakeholders meeting with the people of Gwagwalada. And in that meeting, we said, what are your needs? because I have the authority, I have the mandate of Mr. President, that whatever you want, we should give to you. In that stakeholders meeting, you requested two roads. One is the Aguma Palace Road and the Paikon Kore Road. We thank God we are here today to commission this Paikon Kore Road.
“In May, God willing, during the second anniversary of Mr. President, we will also commission the Aguma Palace Road”, he said
Wike also instructed the Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department STDD, Hon Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, to include a key project which is the construction of the paikore bridge in the 2024 statutory budget.
Wike emphasized the importance of tracking the progress of previous administrations in committing funds to area councils within the FCT.
“Let me say this, I want you to go back home and check the records, check every administration, before the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. How much each administration has committed to each of the area councils of the FCT? Now, while I’m saying this, it is important, you know the importance that Mr. President attaches to the development of the satellite town. Mr. President is not only committed to the development of the city, but Mr. President is also committed to the development of the satellite town”, he said.
The Minister also expressed gratitude to the stakeholders and residents of Gwagwalada Area Council for their cooperation and support during the project’s execution.
He assured them that the administration would continue to prioritize their needs and work towards improving their lives.
