The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has spent more than N89.2 billion on roads, infrastructure, and schools in Bwari Area Council.

Mr Wike, who disclosed this while inaugurating the five-kilometre Gaba-Tokulo road in Bwari Area Council on Friday, said that the amount was spent in the last 12 months.

He explained that N7 billion was spent on the five-kilometre Gaba-Tokulo Road, while N27 billion on the rehabilitation of Dutse to Bwari Road.

The minister added that N28 billion was spent on the ongoing dualisation of Ushafa to War College Road and N27 billion on rehabilitation and construction of schools in Bwari.

He identified the schools as Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse, Government Secondary School (GSS), Bwari, and GSS Ushafa, a new school.

Others, he said, were GSS Dei Dei, GSS Kubwa, and GSS Jibi.

He said that the Gaba-Tokulo road was initiated through a stakeholder engagement.

“The people of Bwari said that they wanted this road, and to the glory of God, we awarded the contract in January 2024, and today we are inaugurating the completed project.

“In 2024, through President Tinubu’s directive, we said that we are going to construct one road in each area council.

“I want to say that since Monday, we have been inaugurating road projects, and we will conclude this exercise tomorrow.

“That is to show that we have been able to touch all the area councils since the inception of the Tinubu-led administration,” he said.

Mr Wike said that the residents also asked for police stations, adding that the two police divisional offices under construction would be ready in May to enhance security in the area.

He added that the FCT Administration had made provisions in the 2025 budget for every area council to have at least one more road project.

He promised the residents that the Gaba-Tokilo Road would be extended to Kawu, a border community with Kaduna State, as requested by Council Chairman John Gabaya.

He directed the coordinator of the satellite towns development department, Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, to capture the road extension in the FCT 2025 budget.

He also directed the contractor who executed the project, Sectraco Nigeria Ltd., to install streetlights on the road from Gaba to Tokulo.

Also, FCT minister of state, Mariya Mahmoud, said that all the projects executed in the FCT were a testament to Mr Tinubu’s commitment to improve the lives of rural residents.

This, she said, would enhance connectivity and facilitate economic growth.

“This is more than just infrastructure; it is a pathway to progress and prosperity,” Ms Mahmoud said.

The STDD coordinator also said that the road would enhance the rural economy and promote the development of small and medium-scale enterprises.

Mr Zulkiflu equally said that the road would improve connectivity and the security of the area.

On his part, the council chairman thanked Mr Wike for the ongoing transformation of satellite towns, saying, “FCT rural communities never had it this good.”

Mr Gabaya described the minister as an “embodiment of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He commended Mr Wike for constructing the Gaba to Tokulu Road, saying that his father was kidnapped twice on that road.

He appealed to the minister to further extend the road to connect with the Kawu community, covering 10 to 11 kilometres.

He also urged Mr Wike to equally consider constructing the road from Murtala Mohammed Expressway via Kubwa to the Nigeria Law School, Bwari.

(NAN)