Wike inaugurates resurfacing of 189km roads in Abuja

Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, inaugurated the resurfacing of 189 roads and remedial work on bridges in Maitama, Garki and Utako districts on Tuesday in Abuja.

The roads cover 57 kilometres across the three districts; all in Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The minister said the measure was part of a commitment to maintain and optimise public infrastructure in the federal capital territory.

He said that the project was also part of efforts to renew the hope of residents in good governance in line with the “Renewed Hope’’ agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike called on Nigerians to believe in President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope’’ agenda, stressing that the policies and programmes therein were not intended to make the people to suffer.

He urged residents to be patient as the roads resurfacing would cause them some inconvenience.

“You cannot talk about development without making sacrifices. There must be inconvenience. After the inconveniences you will benefit,’’ he said.

The minister commended the National Assembly and FCT area council chairmen for their support to deliver the dividends of democracy to FCT residents.

Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said the project would be delivered by May.

In his remarks, Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, noted that roads in Maitama were weak because of long usage, adding that the resurfacing was timely.

Maikalangu called on the minister to address the problem of water shortage in Maitama District which had compelled residents to drill boreholes.

He pledged the support of the area council in the on-going efforts to transform the federal capital territory.

Also speaking at the inauguration, a traditional leader, Sapayi of Garki, Alhaji Usman Nga Kupi, commended the minister for the efforts to transform the FCT landscape and the improvement of security in the territory.

He pledged the support of the traditional council, and appealed to the minister to ensure the completion of the Karshi-Apo Road to address the traffic gridlock experienced there.

In 2023, the minister inaugurated similar projects covering 184 kilometres in Garki, Wuse and Asokoro Districts.

This brings the total number of roads being resurfaced and rehabilitated in Abuja to 373.