By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Instead of using all manners of litigations to prevent development that is meant for economic prosperity of the people, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that engaging in dialogue with relevant authorities is far better.
In view of this, Tinubu said those having court cases against the FCT administration should engage government in roundtable discussion instead of litigations.
Tinubu stated this during official commissioning of the provision of engineering infrastructure to Gusape District (lot one).in Abuja on Saturday.
The President statement was in respond to the earlier information by the FCT minister that the portion being commissioning was encumbered by litigations.
Tinubu particularly told the district head of Gusape and people on ground at the commissioning that litigation is not the answer to challenge with government but noted that conversation does better.
President Tinubu maintained that development that is focused on the people for the economic prosperity is the benefit for entire country, adding that such should be in the mind all Nigerians.
According to him “of what value is the land block by hills, blocking provision of roads and water”.
He charges residents to talk to representative of government close to them, with emphasis on perseverance and commitment to enable government to deliver quality and good governance.
The President noted that the commissioning is another mile stone of his administration’s total commitment to enhance infrastructure and living standards in the federal capital territory .
Thanking the FCT team, for commitment to service, Tinubu noted that the government in the last one year embarked on journey to retooling and re-engineered the refinances with the hope for all Nigerians and Abuja residents in periocular.
“Provision of engineering infrastructure in Gusape District is not a mere necessity but a hope renewed”. Mr President added that the Gusape engineering infrastructure is also a statement of what collaboration and planing can help achieve.
Earlier, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike expressed gratitude to the President for his time and support in the construction and commissioning of the project, adding that his support and time shows his love for the residents of the territory.
Wike disclosed that the FCT Administration was able to record all the achievements in record time in the last one year, because the President has given him and the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, all the support and free hand to operate.
He revealed that the FCT Administration had to confront litigations challenges from private individuals before finally being able to deliver the project.
According to him, the project was awarded as Lots I and II in 2003 at the cost of ₦14 billion, but revised to ₦18 billion in 2023.
FCT Minister of State, in her remarks, corroborated Wike by thanking the President, National Assembly members, the contractors, and all other stakeholders for making realization of the the whole projects possible.
Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Hadi-Ahmad stated that the district was an “urban fringes”, meaning its creation was out of necessity, as it wasn’t part of the original city plan.
Engr. Ahmad disclosed that the district covers an area measuring 1,070 hectares of land, 129 of which is encumbered by settlements.
