The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that his administration will work to complete the construction of B6 and B12 roads linking Constitution Avenue to the Abuja City Gate, within the next seven months.
Wike, who gave the assurance following a tour of some abandoned projects in Abuja on Thursday, added that the renovation of the Federal Secretariat buildings would also be completed within the next seven to eight months.
Among the abandoned projects visited were the residence of the Vice President, awarded in 2010, and the residences of the presiding officers of the National Assembly, near the National Assembly complex, which was awarded in 2009.
The minister, who was accompanied by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, and the Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration, Mr Adesola Olusade, also visited the construction site of the Millennium Tower, at the Central Area, Abuja.
Wike stated that he did not like to make excuses, adding that he would do the best he could to deliver some of the projects, while those beyond the capacity of the FCT ministry would be run up to President Bola Tinubu for help.
Describing the road linking the city gate to the Constitution Avenue as a “very important infrastructure” that would change the landscape of Abuja, he disclosed that Julius Berger had promised to deliver the renovation of the Federal Secretariat in the seven to eight months time frame
“I want to assure you that in the next six to seven months, the two projects would be completed,” he said.
Commenting on the state of the residences of the Vice President and presiding officers of the National Assembly, the minister said he would report to President Tinubu to agree on a way forward.
“Before we were sworn in, Mr President told me and the Minister of State, to do everything we can to bring back some of the structures and facilities that will make Abuja a world class city. One of them is the road network and facilities like the Millennium Tower that will bring tourists and families to come around and have fun,” he said.
Acknowledging the challenge of funding, Wike said he would sit with the Minister of State for FCT, and the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, to restructure how some of the projects were being funded.
He added that he would rather attach funds to a specific project and complete it than allocate N500 million every year to a project of over N150 billion, and still fail to complete it.
“It means that in the next 20 years, you cannot complete the project. So, what is the benefit of wasting public funds? Fund is a challenge, yes, but we are here to solve such a challenge,” the minister said.
Other officials in the minister’s entourage were the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Shehu Hadi, and other directors and top management officials of the FCTA.
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