FCT Minister Flags Off Construction Of Vital Link Road Between Wuse And Central Area
…PLEDGES REHABILITATION OF 40 ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has officially flagged off the construction of the Transit Way N2, a vital road project designed to connect the Central Business District to the Wuse District in Abuja.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Barrister Wike disclosed that the project, which also includes the provision of two essential bridges, was initiated after he observed efforts by private citizens—whom he extolled as “elder statesmen”—to make the road motorable.
Following this observation, the Minister said he directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to take over and fully complete the project.
He said: “During one of our inspection tours, I drove from where you have the TY Danjuma Foundation. I want to commend our elder statesmen for taking the bold step to start the construction from that side. I said these are citizens who mean well for our people. I felt that they should not be the only people that will do that road. So, I told the Executive Secretary, FCDA to take it over from there and then link up to Wuse. Today to the glory of God, we are here to flag-off the road construction”.
He stressed that the Transit Way A2 is one of the key projects scheduled for inauguration during the third-year anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and consequently charged the contractor, Levante Construction Company Nigeria Limited, to ensure the project’s timely completion.
The FCT Minister while emphasizing the foundational role of a good road network in urban development and attracting investment, cited the example of the ‘Abuja City Walk’ project by investors from Dubai, noting that their commitment stems from the Administration’s focus on infrastructure.
“There cannot be development in any city without good network of roads. Road infrastructure attracts investments”, Barr. Wike stated.
Beyond road infrastructure, the FCT Minister disclosed that the FCT Administration is intensifying efforts in other critical sectors, including health and education. He announced a new phase for educational development, pledging the total rehabilitation of not less than 40 schools, which he said is in addition to the over 70 ongoing school projects, 45 of which have already been completed.
“We are going to start again the total rehabilitation of not less than 40 schools after this road infrastructure”, the Minister stated. He called for renewed commitment from officials, charging them to keep up with his pace of delivery while stressing that no sector will be left untouched.
“The only thing we know in our dictionary is to work, work and work to the satisfaction of our people,” he stated, reassuring residents that the FCT Administration remains focused on service delivery despite any distractions.
The Minister equally confirmed that the flag-off and commissioning of vital projects will continue through October and into November to grow the economy and improve the landscape of the FCT.
“Let me say that this flag-off and commissioning will continue till almost the 20th of October, then in November, we will commission some other projects which we think are very vital and important to grow the economy and improve the landscape of the FCT”, the Minister assured.
In her vote of thanks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to infrastructure development in the FCT and the nation at large.
She hailed the project as yet another testimony of the Renewed Hope Agenda and specially acknowledged the FCT Minister, Barr. Wike, for being the “monitor and driver of this initiative and success and thanked the National Assembly for its “consistent support, collaboration and legislative backing”.
Presenting an overview of the project, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, explained that the transit way in the Abuja Master Plan is a public transport system infrastructure, which combines the rail mode and bus rapid transport network, designed to link the city center with sector centers along the developing corridors as well as to the Satellite Towns and reduce reliance on private cars.
He specified that the Transit Way A2 is the first segment of the transit ways being implemented by the FCT Administration, adding that the project, awarded to Messrs Levant Construction Limited, includes two river bridges connecting the Central Business District to Wuse District.
He said the project will address chronic flooding issues and enhance general traffic flow, serving as a catalyst for economic activities, adding that the scope of work includes river channels, erosion control measures, and solar lighting.
Engr. Dauda affirmed that the completed project will not only reduce travel time but also improve economic activities within the vicinity and further enhance infrastructural growth in the city, while also providing job opportunities during the construction phase.
The Managing Director, Levante Construction Company, Elie Tannous, who also spoke during the flag-off ceremony, thanked the FCT Administration for entrusting the company with the responsibility and assured that the project will be delivered within the stipulated timeframe and in accordance with the highest standard.
