By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike has vowed that he will continue to churn out meaningful projects that will make life better for the residents, so that critics who have the habit of not seen anything good about government will keep having high blood pressure.
Wike stated this during the commissioning ceremony of 15 kilometers Apo to Wassa axis of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX)II road in Abuja on Friday.
Commissioning of the road makes it the third day of 17 days earmarked for various completed projects in FCT to mark President Tinubu’s two years in office.
The Minister said with the support he’s getting from President Tinubu and the National Assembly, he will never be deterred by any form of criticism coming from certain quarters as his main focus under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is to please the residents of the territory not unnecessary critics.
“We are not tired. We will continue to work. I have told everybody, criticism, we are not interested.
“I am not here to please unnecessarily critics, I am here to please the residents of Abuja. Not unnecessary critics. I have no business with you.
“In fact, I will continue to give you high blood pressure. So, 17 days, it has never happened in the history of this country, where a president will commission projects from day one to day 17. Not flag off, I am talking about commissioning, not flag off. There is a difference between flag off and commissioning.”
He disclosed that the contract for the road was first awarded in 2017 by the previous FCT Administration but was abandoned due to failure to make money available to the company handling the project, but saying the story of the road changed with the emergence of President Bola Tinubu Administration.
The Minister explained that part of the policy of Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu is to ensure that every project that has been abandoned or left unattended to must be completed during the tenure of this Administration.
“You see the mechanic area there. Those who know this old road were attest to the fact that it’s been horrible. If you are going to Apo, you better leave early. It’s been so terrific that it slows down economic activities. But in order to decongest and open up, we told the contractor that, are you sure you can finish this road within so-so time? They said, yes. And it is our policy that money will be made available, and to the glory of God, money was made available, and today we are here to commission this road.
“Those of us who are crying that Ground Rent this, Ground Rent that, see what Ground Rent money has done, 15 kilometers. I would encourage you to drive down to Wassa Junction. In fact, I thought that this commissioning would take place where the rock was broken into two. You see, it is easy to say this is ordinary road. It’s not ordinary road. Like the Executive Secretary, FCDA said, 500 meters of rock of was blasted to open up the road, and that is the beauty of this place. So we are happy that we are here today,” he said.
Wike disclosed that the success being recorded in FCT in provision of different infrastructure was made possible by the good leadership of President Tinubu.
“You see, there are two things. You can give somebody opportunity to serve, but the person may not have the support. Giving you a position is not enough. But giving you the support for you to achieve is another thing altogether. Mr. President gave us the position to work with him. He not just gave us position, he has given us every support that is required to achieve what we are achieving.
He also thanked the National Assembly for the special attention they have been giving to the FCT Administration which he said has brought about a lot of positive change in the territory, promising not to disappoint them.
