The Minister of the Nigerian Federal capital territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello says, the ongoing construction of the Bwari/ Gurara road by the FCTA will enhance economic activities in the border communities between FCT and Niger State.
The Minister made this known when a delegation of stakeholders from Tafa Local Government of Niger State, led by Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, former Minister of State of Mines and Steel Development and the Speaker of the Niger State of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Bawa Wuse who had come to the FCTA on an appreciation visit for the ongoing road construction work between Bwari in the FCT and Tafa and Gurara in Niger state.
The Minister said the road is also in fulfilment of the mandate of the FCTA to also assist in the development of the border communities from which the FCT was carved.
He added that, “the whole idea of road networking is to connect people. It really doesn’t make sense to build roads and just stop at the border. Luckily for us, the founding fathers of the FCT were very forward thinking and envisaged that while the city is in existence, the surrounding areas from where the FCT was carved, which for all intent and purposes are part of what we call the greater Abuja area, especially the border areas should also be developed. So there was this concept of development planning that would allow Abuja to provide development in these locations”.
Speaking further, on why construction of the roads were essential, the Minister said “anybody coming in from either Lokoja or Kaduna axis, by the time they reach new Wuse in Tafa Local Government, even if you want to go to places like Jere or Southern Kaduna or you want to come into Bwari proper, there is really no need for you to go all the way round, either through the road in Dakwa or come right inside the city and then go through Dutse Alhaji you will simply link into Bwari.
That’s all the justification. It was all done for the public good and I’m saying so, that the wider public should appreciate the focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration in terms of emancipating the people, and enhancing development.
Bello also said that the construction of the roads will also economically empower the residents of the communities along the roads whose occupation are mainly agrarian in nature.
Speaker further, the Minister said, “For instance, the Bwari/Gurara road passes through the FCT, Niger and parts of Kaduna State and the whole idea is that it brings tremendous amount of linkage to these communities and help their businesses to thrive.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon Abdullahi Bawa Wuse said the delegation was in the FCTA to appreciate the FCT Minister for the construction of the Bwari/Tafa/Gurara road which he said had been abandoned for over 30 years.
He said” after the construction of the dam, nobody ever looked at the need to really put up that road in a proper shape that is being done by you now. Once more, we appreciate Allah for bringing you as the Minister of Abuja and using you to open up that road once again. We are indeed very appreciative of it. “
Also speaking, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari said “Nothing would be too much to show appreciation for what you have done for us and still doing. You would be remembered for what you’ve been doing in Abuja. All the infrastructure that were abandoned for years are now being completed, despite the challenges of funding. One wonders how you’ve been able to carry along. I know that the funding that used to come – one percent or so that used to come to the FCDA is no longer there, yet you’ve been able to do this.
“We want to thank you for all the attention you’ve given to satellite towns and I want to say that apart from the road that for which we are showing appreciation today, you’ve been able to dualize the Bwari/Jere road, opening up our area for economic activities, social interaction and so many other things. We can’t thank you enough,” he added.
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