Abuja Residents Will See Wonders — Says Wike
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike has assured residents of the nation’s capital city that with their support, the FCT Administration will achieve wonders in terms of performance in 2024.
The minister said the FCTA has also submitted supplementary budget for 2023 and Mr. President has approved to transmit it to the National Assembly, to be allowed to spend 61 billion before 2024 to complete specific projects so that by May 29th new projects will commence.
The minister who disclosed this while on inspection tour of various project sites across the capital city, expressed optimism that when completed the Millennium Tower project will change the landscape of Abuja as well as boost its tourism potential.
While expressing satisfaction with the level of ongoing work at the Southern Parkway ring 1, which connects major roads in the heart of the city and B12 which stretches from Bolingo junction to the city gate, he assured the various contractors handling the projects that they will be paid before the end of the month.
Wike equally assured residents of the territory that all the ongoing projects would be completed before the 28th of May, 2014.
Wike said: “Remember when we came on board, we did say we would prioritize and we will discuss with contractors that we have the funds. If we give them the funds, what time will it take them to complete these projects?
“The first thing we did was to identify projects that we think can be completed within one year in office of Mr. President and this is one of the projects. We have funded them and we will continue to fund them.
“What is important to me is that the commitment we have given to them, they have reciprocated. Look at the vice president’s residence that was awarded in 2010 at the cost of 7 billion Naira, it was abandoned and we called back Julius Berger to know if they can complete the project within 8 months and they replied with an affirmation but they can continue with it at the same cost, which is obvious. They have indicated that they cannot do it for less than 15 billion naira.
“Looking at the inflation in the cost of building materials, but we have just come to see what they are doing and we have told that we will fund them before ending of the month very well so that they will be able to finish it.
“So we are very happy that the promises made by Mr. President of Renewed hope has come back because just like Nigerians have asked, the residents of Abuja are now seeing a different thing, projects abandoned are now being completed. That is the Renewed hope that those who have lost hope in this country can now see and say that there’s still hope for this country and will commend Mr President.
“We won’t just rely on the Federation’s account. We are doing everything possible to improve our IGR. As I speak to you today, we have done very well in terms of IGR and this money will be directed to specific projects so that we will not later say that we do not have money to do some projects. For example what we are doing now is that, we have submitted supplementary budget of 2023 and Mr. President has approved to transmit it to the National Assembly, now we are asking that we should be allowed to spend 61 billion before 2024, because we have the money and to use that money for specific projects so that by May 29th these projects are completed then we take new other projects for 2024.
“So be assured that no project we have started will be abandoned. I have discussed with the DG of the (03:44)… of the SUKUK fund and I speak to you we have almost 70 to 100 billion we are trying to access.
“We are going to attach these funds to specific projects. For them, they are interested in roads and bridges, but we spoke to them that we have other projects like the millennium tower that is going to change our landscape in terms of tourism and rest of it, and they have agreed. So what you will see from next year will be like a wonder and with everybody’s support we are goin to achieve.”
Meanwhile, Wike vowed to make funds available for the complete the hitherto abandoned construction of official residence of the Vice President before May 29th, 2024.
He therefore pledged to make fund available before December for the completion of the project having got the approval of the president and the vice president.
According to him, “When we came here last time, bushy it was, and you made a promised to us that you will be a able to complete this project in the next eight months, even though we have not moblised you, I do know that you have confidence in us, let me assure you that we will mobilise you before December God willing.
“Then, you have to expedite to see that this is completed before May 29th 2024. I believe you have that capacity, I believe you don’t need to wait, you know I will not make a promise I will not fulfilled, as far as I have gotten the support of Mr President and the Vice President, I can tell you to go.
“Put everything you have so that we can achieved this, so that all these stories about abandoned projects will be a thing of the past. The man power seen shows that you are really serious, so, just go ahead, you are going to be mobilised,” he stated.
The representative of Julius Berger, the company handling the project, Mr Oliver Berger, commended the minister’s faith in the project and assured of timely completion of the project.
