Wike: FCTA rehabilitating another 40 schools, will touch health, other sectors

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday disclosed plans by the FCT Administration to start the total rehabilitation of not less than 40 schools across the nation’s capital.

Wike said the proposed project will add to ongoing rehabilitation of 70 schools, adding that 45 other schools have been completed and furnished.

He spoke during the flag-off of the construction of the Transit Way N2 to connect the Central Area to Wuse District with two bridges.

The minister said his administration will also extend its tentacles towards the health sector.

Wike said, “We are going to start again the total rehabilitation of not less than 40 schools after this road projects and that will add to not less than 70 schools that are ongoing with almost 45 completed and well furnished.

“And I said we will begin to look into the issue of health. We believe those in charge of health must sit up to know that time waits for nobody, if you don’t know how to meet up, go and ask those who know how to meet up with the speed that I work with.

“Go and meet the ES of FCDA, go and meet the Coordinator of FCDA and they will tell you how to meet up with me because its very key, like I said, no sector will be left. By the directive of Mr President, every sector must be touched and its for those of you in charge to will kick start it and let us believe that you are serious.”

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,” Wike stated.