By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barr. Nyesom Wike has called on residents of the territory to play their own role in protecting infrastructure facilities in their respective areas.
Wike stated this while interacting with journalists on Saturday at the end of his inspection tour to some project sites in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Bwari Area Councils of the FCT.
The Minister who was accompanied by the former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche charged residents to protect these facilities provided by government against vandalisation of any form in their respective areas of the FCT.
According to Wike: ” First of all, government has provided infrastructure to the areas to better the life of residents, it is now for the residents to own it so that it will have sustainability, let people not vandalize or destroy what has been provided. For example we are providing streetlights, and the residents will need to secure this streetlights. Government cannot do everything.
“While we have security agencies, we can also of help security agencies by providing useful information. It would be wrong that we will come back here tomorrow, and you hear that one of the poles has been vandalized, also the wires have been taken away.
“If we own this property, it will not happen this is our community. So our prayer is that for them to enjoy it and for government to think that yes, they deserve it, they should also play their own role by making sure they protect this infrastructure.
Responding to questions bothering on whether he was satisfied with the quality of work done by contractors, he said: “In fact, I can attest to the fact that today I was very happy. You know, when we flagged up that project in Kwali, where we stopped is from A2 to Pai, which had been completed. And we flagged up that Pai to Gomani. So of course, there was no road for you to drive. But thank God we were able to go there today.
“You can see, we shouldn’t be talking about the food security in Nigeria. Look at the land and water to make irrigation directly to supply to the farmers, it’s just leadership, and I believe the leadership we have today under Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you will see what is going to happen.”
While giving his general overview of the Wike-led FCT Administration, the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Nwuche described the monumental achievements of the administration so far as top-notch.
“We should commend the minister for putting his heart to the job, and commend the president for giving all the support that he requires for these wonderful feats achieved so far.
“We’ve been to Gwagwalada, from there to kwali, and then we’re here now. The level of work going on is just incredible in under two years. I’m quite amazed. Abuja is becoming something else. It’s a world-class city and the developments are such that it covers both the urban and rural areas. Like at Kwali, we saw a lot of places for farmlands. With water and coal. So I think Abuja has come back to life.
“If we had been at this pace from 1999, Abuja would have long ago been much more than where it is today. I’ve seen many ministers come and go. But this is the one that really has made a great impact on the nation’s capital, ” Nwuche said.
