Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to providing infrastructure in communities to transform rural economies for sustainable growth and development.
The Minister of the Nigerian Federal capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike stated this in Abuja while inaugurating the construction of 7.2-kilometre road, linking Gaba and Tokulo communities in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.
Wike stated that President Tinubu’s administration will touch all rural areas across the country with basic amenities.
He added that in the FCT, each of the six area councils would get three rural roads by the end of the year, which he said had never happened since the creation of the FCT.
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The Minister noted that part of the drivers of insecurity in the territory was the absence of basic infrastructure in rural communities.
“When you don’t have access to roads, it makes it difficult for even security agencies to carry out their jobs very well.
“It is important to note that, while we are fighting insecurity, we must also provide basic infrastructure.
“All rural areas are agriculture-based, so, if you don’t provide access roads, how will they bring the produce to the market?” He asked.
The minister said that his administration is changing the narrative of project delivery in the FCT, adding that no project would be awarded without the funds to fund it.
He directed the contractor, Setraco Nigeria Ltd to employ the youths, both males and females of the community as part of workforce to execute the project and urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the project.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that the rural road construction project was part of President Tinubu’s administration commitment to reduce infrastructural deficit in the Territory.
“The 7.2 km Gaba to Tokula road may seem like a modest undertaking, but its impact will be far reaching. It will enhance connectivity and reduce the challenges of insecurity,” she said.
Earlier, Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Mr. John Gabaya, said the project when completed, would touch the socio-economic aspect of the area.
He appealed to the minister to complete some of the abandoned road projects embarked on by the FCT Administration.
The Chief of the area, Esu Bwari, Mr. Ibrahim Yaro, who thanked the minister for the gesture, conferred the traditional title of “Barde of Bwari” (Warrior of Bwari) on the Minister.
Yaro described Bwari as the food basket of the FCT and announced the donation of two cows and tubers of yam to Wike and the FCT minister of state as proof.
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