..Commends Resident Doctors for calling off Strike
By Olawale Lamina
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike has reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to the provision of the vital infrastructure that will make the nation’s capital compete favourably with some of the best in the world, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Barrister Wike stated this when he flagged off the construction of the Northern Parkway (Shehu Yar’Adua Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III on Tuesday.
The Minister who emphasized the importance of road infrastructure to the development of the FCT, said, “I can tell you that before we leave in the next few years, Abuja will be a different place.”
“When you travel out, you see the road infrastructure, you see the beauty of the cities. Without road infrastructure, it will be difficult for you to compare or claim that FCT is a world-class city. I think under the Renewed Hope of Mr. President, we are changing the narrative to see that Abuja competes with other cities of the world,” he stated further.
Barr. Wike expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, to execute the vital road project, urging them to expedite action and possibly complete the project before the stipulated 30-month timeline to eliminate the need for variations.
He also stated that the upsurge in road construction activities in the FCT will create employment opportunities for residents, imploring the company to carry along members of the community, to ensure their support and foster a sense of belonging, adding that, “It’s very important to continue to have local content”, the Minister said.
Barr. Wike also seized the occasion to call on Nigerians to continue to support President Tinubu, stressing that the President was committed to improving the country for the betterment of all.
“You know when you are coming from a bad period, you have been patient and now you want a miracle. It’s not as if you didn’t know that things were terribly bad. Now somebody has come to fix it. Mr. President is working towards it through his agents like us and are very proud agents.”
The FCT Minister also used the occasion to commend the resident doctors for calling off their strike action, all in the interest of the FCT and the nation.
He revealed that he had approved the requests made by the health workers, including the payment of allowances and employment issues, pledging that he will continue to dialogue with them in the interest of the country.
“We will continue to dialogue with the workers. Before I came here, virtually all their requests I signed them. Give us ample opportunity to continue working with you. We are working for the interest of Nigerians,” the Minister stated.
Wike stressed that the FCT requires effective representation at both the local and national levels to deliver the dividends of democracy, advised residents to support only those with proven records of performance and who mean well for them. “Vote for somebody who will deliver,” he stressed.
Providing a detailed overview of the project, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, said the Parkway system, comprising the Northern and Southern Parkways, in the central spine of the city, is planned to function as a freeway with a view to optimizing traffic flow between the development corridors of the city.
Engr. Dauda said phase one of the Northern Parkway (Shehu Yardua Way), had been developed from the Central Area up to the Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway, while phase two has also been developed up to the roundabout in Life Camp.
He explained that the segment under consideration was phase three, from Ring Road II (Shehu Yardua Way) to Ring Road III, adding that the scope of work includes the construction of an eight-lane expressway with two lane service carriageways on each side of the main carriageways.
“It comes with an interchange at the intersection with Ring Road II, which is where we are now, and the bridge works have started. The project has two river Bridges and other facilities like Box culvert, Pipe culvert, street lighting, telecommunication ducts, and other ancillary facilities”, the Executive Secretary said.
Engr. Dauda further stated that the road construction, which will provide direct and indirect job opportunities for skilled and unskilled labour, when completed, will rapidly evacuate traffic from the city center and resolve heavy traffic congestion experienced in the city, particularly in the districts of Kado, Jabi, Gwarimpa One and Two, Dafe, and Kafe in phases Two and Three of the city.
In her vote of thanks, the Acting Head of Service, FCTA, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti, thanked President Tinubu for the impact of his Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT and the FCT Minister for his bold vision and commitment to excellence, which, she said, has made the project a reality. She described the road project as a strategic intervention that will ease traffic congestion by providing a vital link.
Managing Director, Julius Berger PLC, Engr. Peer Lubasch, while making a public commitment to the timely delivery of the project, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to partner with the FCT Administration and thanked the Minister for his trust and support. He assured that the highest standards of quality would be adhered to in the execution of the project.
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