Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 flagged off the construction of the access road from Ring Road 1 by N16 to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe District of Abuja, as well as the construction of internal roads within Judges’ Quarters.
Speaking during the flag-off exercise, the Speaker who was represented at the occasion by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu said the provision of infrastructure in an urban centre like Abuja was not only an economic necessity but also crucial to fostering development, enhancing economic growth and improving the well-being of the citizens
He acknowledged the laudable initiatives under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that are aimed at addressing the infrastructure deficit in the country and commended the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike for his transformative leadership in the FCT since assuming office.
Hon Abbas said the FCT Minister has hit the ground running, initiating projects that address the critical needs of the growing city of Abuja and pledged the continued support of the National Assembly for the development efforts in the FCT.
He said, “From road construction to urban renewal programmes, his dedication to enhancing the FCT’s infrastructure is evident. We have witnessed several flag-offs, not just as ceremonial acts but as milestones in the commitment to making Abuja a world-class city.
“The ongoing rehabilitation of major roads, the clearing of illegal structures and the focus on environmental sustainability are all testaments to the Hon. Minister’s vision of an Abuja that is not only beautiful but Abuja that is functional and efficient”, he added.
Hon Abbas further expressed confidence that the completion of the access road to the Judges Quarters and other ongoing projects in the FCT will make the city more livable and improve the lives of the residents.
In separate messages of goodwill, the Senate Committee Chairman on FCT Area Councils and ancillary matters, Senator David Jimkuta and the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on FCT, Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara commended the FCT Minister for his developmental strides in the FCT while pledging the support of the National Assembly for the FCTA.
Speaking earlier, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike thanked the National Assembly for its consistent support to the FCT Administration and the speedy approval of the FCT appropriation acts, adding that the FCTA has also made it a point of duty to ensure that the National Assembly is part of every project that is being flagged off or commissioned in the FCT.
The Minister said the access road to the Judges quarters as well as other internal roads in the residential quarters, would be completed by May next year to mark the President’s second year anniversary and assured the contractor of adequate funding.
He said, “As I speak to you, we have not less than 70 percent of the money in the budget. So, you have to work round the clock to make sure Mr. President commissions the project on his second year anniversary”.
Barr. Wike also reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to the provision of infrastructure in both the city centre and the FCT Area Councils, adding that the FCT was not only concentrating on road construction but was also providing other vital infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
He said, “This December, we are commissioning six roads that will be a total of about 65 kilometers in the Area Councils. So anybody who is saying that we are concentrating in the city is not saying the truth. The truth is that the attention we give to the city is also the attention we give to the Area Councils”.
