The appointment of Nyesom Wike as Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was one of the best I made since my administration took off, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said yesterday.
He commended the minister for striving to redefine leadership, saying that he cannot be ignored.
President Tibubu applauded Wike’s sterling performance when he inaugurated the extension of Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) in Abuja.
The road which stretches from the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) to the Southern Parkway (S8/S9), was renamed Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Expressway, in honour of a former President.
President Tinubu described the project as another testament to his administration’s development agenda of transforming every part of the country.
He said: “As we celebrate this achievement, it is crucial once again to acknowledge the concerted efforts of the FCT Minister, Wike and his team, all stakeholders involved, including private sector partners.
“As I said the last time, Wike is a force of human nature. Love him, hate him, but you cannot ignore him. Because at every point in time, he is striving to redefine the meaning and concept of leadership.”
He added: “He’s an exemplary leader, worthy of emulation by us all. He is a very mercurial partner, unfortunately, leadership has turned down that tempo.
“The whole political space is populated by careful friends. But now he has stopped dancing, he has stopped singing, but he is still performing”.
The inauguration of this highway is the sixth project inaugurated by him as part of events to mark his first year in office.
Other projects inaugurated include the Southern Parkway, renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, otherwise known as the Metro Rail, and the Outer Southern Parkway, renamed the Mahamadou Issoufou Way, among others.
Tinubu said his administration will continue to prioritise infrastructural development as the cornerstone of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’
President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said his government will continue to fulfill its promises, empower the people, and build a nation worthy of pride.
He said: “As we gather here today to commission the extension of the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) and the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) to the Southern Parkway, we celebrate, not just the completion of yet another road project by the FCT Administration, but also the commitment of our administration to engendering progress and prosperity.”
Wike said the ISEX contract was awarded in 2010 at the cost of N10 billion and reviewed to 18bn in 2023, added that the company that handled the project (Salini) had been fully paid.
Wike also listed other projects completed by his administration.
They include the completion of the first phase of the rehabilitation of the National Assembly complex, the rehabilitation of the Federal Secretariat and the 117km road across Wuse, Maitama and Asokoro.
Wike said: “Mr. President, it may also interest you that when we come on board, all the many roads within the city, Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Wuye, and other areas, you can see a total rehabilitation of those streets just to give it what it is supposed to be. It is not less than 170km when you add them up.
“So, for us, we owe that gratitude, for allowing the Honourable Minister of State and our team, to be part of the renewed hope agenda that is bringing back hope to the residents of Abuja.”
