Tinubu commits over ₦300bn to development of Area Councils – Wike

By Ukpono Ukpong

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, yesterday revealed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s unprecedented investment of over ₦300 billion in the development of satellite towns within the FCT.

Speaking at the commissioning of the 9km Paikon Kore-Ibwa Road in Gwagwalada, Wike highlighted the administration’s commitment to equitable development across the six area councils.

He revealed that Gwagwalada alone had received over ₦50 billion for infrastructure, education, and security projects.

“This road, built at a cost of ₦8.5 billion, is one of the numerous projects delivered by Mr. President’s administration to improve the lives of people in satellite towns,” Wike stated.

He assured residents that the ₦22 billion Aguma Palace Road would be commissioned in May 2025 during Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.

The Minister also emphasized the significant progress made in education, citing the renovation of five secondary schools in Gwagwalada, including the School for the Gifted, Government Secondary School Gwagwalada, and GSS Tungan Maje, at a cost of ₦16.5 billion.

“In just one year, this administration has invested massively in the education sector. These renovated schools will provide better learning environments for our children,” Wike said.

In his address, Wike underscored the administration’s commitment to security by announcing the construction of new police divisions in Gwagwalada.

He stressed that these projects would enhance the safety of residents and promote socio-economic growth in the area.

Speaking further, Wike commended the National Assembly for its unwavering support in facilitating development across the FCT.

“I want to sincerely thank the Senate President, the Speaker, and all National Assembly members for their collaboration. Their support has been instrumental in achieving these milestones,” he said.

During the ceremony, the Minister directed the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) to prioritize the construction of a bridge in Gwagwalada, even as he assured the community that the project would be included in the 2025 statutory budget.

“This bridge is critical for the people of Gwagwalada. We will ensure it is completed as part of our commitment to addressing your needs,” he added.

Highlighting the administration’s inclusive approach to governance, Wike noted that stakeholder engagements had shaped the development agenda for Gwagwalada.

“In our meetings with the people, you identified the Paikon Kore and Aguma Palace roads as priorities. Today, we are here to commission one, and the other is on the way,” he said.

Wike urged residents to appreciate the administration’s efforts, pointing out that satellite towns had often been neglected in previous administrations.

While the Minister highlighted the administration’s philosophy of taking governance to the people, he assured Gwagwalada residents of more projects in the pipeline.

“Now, if you add the total value of what Mr. President has committed to Gwagwalada alone, you are talking about over 50 billion Naira for one area council. Now, if you add the six area councils, just take this as the base because this is the least of all the area councils. So, you will see that in a year, Mr. President has committed to the development of satellite towns, not less than 300 billion Naira.

“It is important for people to have this record because you see people who go out, they are only developing the city, nothing is happening in the satellite towns. Is that correct? Is Mr. President not doing something in the satellite towns? Have you ever met any minister who has come to you like this? Have you met any minister of the FCT, who has called the people of Gwagwalada and asked them what do you want?

“Now, what does this tell you? What it tells you is that Mr. President believes that governance is not only for you to sit in your office and dish out orders. Mr. President believes that in governance, you must go to the people. You must discuss with the people. You must ask them what their problems are. And that is what we are doing with you, is it not?

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“Are you happy with Mr. President? Are you happy with Mr. President? Now, I can tell you just relax, you will see what more projects Mr. President will bring to the people of Gwagwalada.”

“I thank the traditional rulers for the support but for you and the youth, if you did not own up to this project probably the contractor would not have completed it on record time. But because you believe that this project is for your own interest, it’s for the generality of the people, and that’s why we didn’t have any crisis of communities stopping the contractor and the contractor had it easy.

“Our children were employed, our children were involved and had to make some money and pay their children’s school fees. So more projects will come, more of our people will be employed and our people will be happy.”