Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says construction of Arterial Road S1 from Ring Road II to FCT Fire Service Station in Kaura District will significantly improve emergency response time.

Mr Wike, during the inauguration of the project in Abuja on Tuesday, said, “By the time this road is constructed with a three-span bridge, of course, anywhere there is any fire incident and they are called upon, they will respond immediately.

“Again, this is also to contribute to the efficiency in their job delivery.”

Mr Wike said the road would be slightly over two kilometres, and it is part of efforts to improve the road network across the city and satellite towns.

He said the Nigerian government is bidding to host the next Commonwealth Games, saying, “It will be difficult for us to achieve that if we don’t have a good network of roads.

“When the committee comes and they see that the basic infrastructure is being provided, that would give us leeway to be given the hosting right.”

Speaking about projects in the area councils, the minister said the greatest beneficiaries were Kuje, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Gwagwalada, and Bwari.

He noted that the only area council that had not benefited significantly was Abaji, adding, however, that its own would be better.

“I have said before, with the Renewed Hope Agenda in action, Abuja will be a different place and will compete with other cities of the world before the first tenure of President Bola Tinubu ends,” he said.

Earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, noted that the project would enhance accessibility within Kaura District, making it easier for residents and businesses to connect with the city’s major road networks.

“It will also improve response time and operational efficiency of the FCT Fire Station located in the area, thereby strengthening public safety and disaster management.

“The project will also open up Kaura District further for socio-economic development, boosting property values, investment, and the quality of life for residents,” she said.

(NAN)