Wike inspects Saburi-Dei Dei road project, insists on December completion date

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has inspected the ongoing construction of the Saburi-Dei Dei road, affirming that the project will be completed by December 2024.

The road, contracted to SCC Nigeria Ltd, is part of a broader initiative to enhance infrastructure within the FCT.

During the inspection, Wike emphasised the necessity of upgrading the project from a box culvert to a bridge due to severe flooding during the last rainy season. “I still insist that this project will be completed by December 2024,” he stated. “The new bridge was not initially planned, but it’s essential for ensuring safe passage.”

Wike also addressed the procurement process for another road linking Deidei to Life Camp, which is nearing completion. “We are almost 80% done with the procurement process for this road,” he explained. “Once we receive the necessary document from Bureau for Public Procurement we will take it to the Federal Executive Council for approval, once that is done, we will move forward swiftly. By the time we finish, the people of this area will be quite happy.”

Highlighting his administration’s commitment to good governance, the minister noted that infrastructure development is a key aspect of fulfilling promises made to citizens. “Part of the Renewed Hope Agenda is to make promises and fulfill them,” he said. “Governance includes providing basic infrastructure, security, and quality education.”

Residents of the area trooped out enmass to applaud the minister for keeping to his promise.

A lady who owns a provision store, offered the minister cold bottle water in appreciation of his hardwork.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the inspection exercise, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the road project and the contractor’s assurances that the road would be completed by December 2024. 

While commending FCT residents for their support for the Administration, Wike called for patience, assuring that the dividends of democracy would reach every nook and cranny of the FCT.

He said, “People are happy with what we are doing, and that shows that people are beginning to appreciate the whole essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

 “I have always told Nigerians to be patient, but we don’t want to be patient because things have been so bad. But you can see that the dividends of democracy are coming out, maybe not in the way you want it, but at the end of the day, it’s important that the people are happy, and what makes me happy is that the people are happy”.

 The Minister was accompanied by the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Hon Abdulkadir Zulkiflu Director, Engineering Services, STDD, Engr. Nathaniel Adanu and other senior officials of the FCTA and Lubrik Construction Company – the construction company handling the project.

Wike said that President Tinubu had promised to satisfy the needs of the people. He added that the promises were being fulfilled and the hope of Nigerians was being renewed.

He said, “Good governance is inclusive of the provision of basic infrastructure, being transparent and accountable, providing security and providing quality health and education to the people.

“All the things that we have been doing in FCT are part of good governance”, he added.

The minister expressed joy that the people were happy with what the Tinubu-led administration was doing in FCT to transform their lives.

He said that the people of Saburi and Dei Dei would be happier by the time the road project was completed in December.

“We are happy that the people appreciate what we are doing. It is very important to us that the people are happy.”

The minister also disclosed that the procurement processes for the construction of the 17-kilometre Life Camp – Dei Dei road had reached 80 per cent.

He added that the FCT Administration was awaiting the certificate of no objection from the Bureau for Public Procurement.

“If that happens, we will go to the Federal Executive Council for approval and continue from there,” he said.

On the clamp down on scavengers and beggars, Wike said that a combined security team was working day and night, arresting and prosecuting the scavengers arrested.

He said that the security operative had been clearing Abuja roads of the people who claim to be beggars but were not actually beggars.

The Minister added that “It is not easy, but we are going to achieve it,”.

As Wike concluded his visit, he reiterated his dedication to enhancing living conditions across the FCT, stating, “What makes me happy is that the people are happy.”