Residents of Saburi I and II in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Abuja, have described the recently constructed road in the community by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike as a “game changer.”

Some residents told journalists on Sunday in Abuja that the road project had significantly improved socio-economic activities in the area.

A correspondent and other members of the Ministers’ Press Corps visited the community to assess the impact of road projects on FCT communities.

Mr Wike had, on January 21, 2024, inaugurated the construction of a five-kilometre access road connecting Saburi 1 and 11 and Dei Dei International Market.

The minister had said the road, from Murtala Mohammed Expressway to Dei DeI International Market, was designed to ease the suffering of the people, particularly during the wet season.

The residents said the road had improved their businesses and triggered enormous socio-economic activities and other developmental strides.

One of the residents, Emmanuel Ogboh, a shop owner, said businesses had improved owing to the increased vehicular movement since the construction of the road.

The visibly excited Mr Ogboh thanked Mr Wike for extending his developmental agenda to the Saburi community.

Also, Justina Ocheche, who sells bean cake, popularly known as akara, said her business had improved since the completion of the road.

Ms Ocheche said that when the road was not completed, her akara business suffered due to heavy dust, particularly during the dry season, and mud during the rainy season.

The akara seller, however, called on the FTC administration to tackle the epileptic electricity and provide a portable water supply in the community.

A furniture maker, Nicholas Emmanuel, said the dust emanating from the road before had affected his furniture business, as dust made it unattractive to prospective buyers.

Akin Akinwande, a car wash owner, said the road network was a game changer for his business.

“Before now, you barely see 20 cars pass through this community in a day, but now more than 100 ply this road daily,” he said. “This is good for our businesses, and we thank Wike and President Bola Tinubu for this gesture.”

Emeka Oduma, a truck driver, said, “I am very impressed with what Wike did for us in this village; I am happy, and everybody is happy that our minister is doing a good job.

“I have been in Saburi 1 for close to 10 years, and the road was in a terrible state, but thank God for Wike, who is setting a good example for others to follow.”

The village head of Saburi, Muhammad Yamawo, who could not hide his joy, described the road project as its “new bride.”

“This road is like someone who has never gotten married, and when he finally does, he feels like the whole world belongs to him.

“We have suffered a lot due to the absence of a good road in Saburi, but we are happy that Wike has finally wiped our tears,” he said.

The village head also commended the minister for the ongoing construction of a police station and a hospital in the community.

The five-kilometre Saburi to Dei Dei road is among several road projects awarded by the Wike-led FCT Administration in rural communities across the six area councils of the territory.

(NAN)