The minister of the Federal capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu administration has expended more than N300 billion on development of FCT satellite towns.

Mr Wike stated this on Wednesday, while inaugurating the nine-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road, in Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council.

He said that the amount, spent between January 2024 and January 2025, demonstrated the importance Mr Tinubu attaches to the development of satellite towns.

According to him, Mr Tinubu is not only committed to the development of Abuja city but also committed to the development of satellite towns.

He said that out of the more than N300 billion spent so far, more than N50 billion was spent in Gwagwalada Area Council alone.

He said that N8.5 billion was expended on the rehabilitation of Paikon Kore – Ibwa road.

The minister added that N22 billion was earmarked for the construction of Aguma Palace – Market – Radio Nigeria Road, which would be inaugurated in May 2025.

He added that the FCT Administration also spent N16.5 billion on the rehabilitation and upgrading of five secondary schools in Gwagwalada.

He identified the schools as the School for the Gifted, Government Secondary School (GSS) Gwagwalada, GSS Anagada, Government Science Secondary School, Tungan Maji, and GSS Giri.

“If you calculate the total amount, excluding the two Police Divisions under construction, Mr President has committed to Gwagwalada alone more than N50 billion.

“If you add the six area councils, with Gwagwalada having the least amount, you will see that in just a year, Mr President has committed more than N300 billion to the development of satellite towns.

“It is important for people to have this record as evidence against those claiming that the government was only developing the city with nothing happening in satellite towns,” he said.

He explained that the Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road was rehabilitated following a request by the residents while the construction of Aguma Palace – Market – Radio Nigerian Road was ongoing.

“We thank God we are here today to commission the Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road. In May, God willing, during the second anniversary of Mr President, we will also commission the Aguma Palace Road,” he said.

Mr Wike reiterated Mr Tinubu’s commitment to participatory governance and implementing projects based on the needs of residents and assured the residents of more projects.

He particularly promised to construct the Ibwa bridge following a demand by the vice chairman, Saidu Zuba.

Earlier, Mr Zuba described Mr Wike as a blessing to residents of Gwagwalada following the huge investment in rural infrastructure.

He added the security situation had significantly improved in the area following Mr Wike’s interventions to improve security in local communities.

He appealed to the minister to construct the Ibwa bridge, saying, “we lose a lot of students to flooding while trying to cross the bridge during the rainy season.”

On her part, FCT minister of state, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, urged the benefiting communities to safeguard the road, use it responsibly, and collaborate to ensure more developmental strides in the future.

“May this road bring lasting benefits to our community and serve as a beacon of unity and progress,” she said.

The coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department, Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, explained that the Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road was awarded to Setraco Nigeria Ltd, in January 2024.

He said that the road was designed to open businesses and connect communities towards a sustainable development of rural communities.

 (NAN)