By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, says ongoing road projects in satellite towns are part of efforts to reduce rural-urban migration in the FCT, according to a press release from Rabi Musa Umar, Deputy Director, Pressss, (Office of the Honourable Minister) FCTA.He spoke in Kwali Area Council on Thursday, May, during an inspection of the 13km Gomani-Yangoji road.
Wike said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to extend infrastructure beyond the city centre. According to him, opening up satellite towns is key to discouraging the movement of people from rural communities to urban areas.
Inspecting the project being handled by Zeberced, the minister expressed satisfaction with the progress made. He commended the contractor for maintaining quality and adhering to the timeline, noting that the road is among those scheduled for inauguration during the president’s anniversary programme.
Wike recalled that the Yangoji axis of the road began with the A2 to Pai segment, which was inaugurated during the president’s second-year anniversary. He, however, noted that the Pai to Gomani segment, handled by a different contractor, remained unfinished.
Providing an update on the Gomani-Yangoji stretch, the minister said the bridge had been launched, while drainage works were 90 to 95 per cent complete. He added that construction of streetlight pillars was also underway.
“I believe that when Mr. President comes here, it will be a thing of joy for him to see that development is passing through all the satellite towns,” Wike said.
Responding to questions on a reported alliance between the PDP and the Allied People’s Movement (APM), the minister dismissed the claim. He said the PDP had issued a statement confirming that no such alliance exists, and noted that INEC also recognised no alliance between the parties.
On the Rivers State governor’s recent declaration of allegiance to the APC, Wike said he was not aware of any internal issues affecting the governor in his party. He said he preferred to address matters concerning his own party, the PDP, since he was not a member of the APC.
