Some residents of Gwagwalada in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have lauded the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s rural transformation projects.

The residents gave the commendation in separate interviews in Gwagwalada on Sunday.

Recall that Mr Wike on February 1, 2024, inaugurated the construction of nine-kilometre Paikon Kore to Ibwa road in Gwagwalada.

Mr Wike explained that the project was one of several road projects to be constructed in rural areas across the six area councils of the FCT.

He added that the projects were designed to make rural dwellers comfortable and open rural communities for development.

Eight months later, the minister, again, inaugurated the rehabilitation of the Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market Road, also in Gwagwalada.

The residents described the projects as “life changing,” adding that the impact on the socio-economic life of the people was overwhelming.

One of them, Ibrahim Makeri, said that the completed Paikon Kore – Ibwa road would impact significantly on agricultural production in the area.

Mr Makeri added that before the road was constructed, most residents along the road corridor were cut off from Paikon Kore during the rainy season, due to flooding.

He said that pupils who transited primary schools in Ibwa to junior secondary schools located in Paikon Kore were majorly affected.

The resident explained that most of the children do not go to school during the rainy season because the rains usually flooded the road.

He said, “With the road successfully constructed, anybody can go wherever he or she wishes to go.’’

Mr Makeri appealed to the minister to extend the road beyond Ibwa to connect 70 other communities along the road corridor. The story was no different for Japhet Adamu, 23, Daniel Gaji, 20, and Yahaya Abdullahi, who were among the 75 locals employed by Setraco Nigeria Ltd, while executing the projects.

They stated that the development had transformed their lives for good.

Mr Abdullahi, who holds a Higher National Diploma in Quantity Survey, said he was recruited as one of the surveyors, adding that it was his first major job since graduation several years ago.

The Senior Project Manager of the company, Senaka Rupanetti, said that the project was completed in December 2024, two weeks before the delivery date.

Mr Rupanetti explained that the nine-kilometre toad project, with about 17 culverts, was delivered before the delivery timeline because Mr Wike ensured prompt payment.

Speaking on the Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market Road project, the affected residents on the market road corridor said that the project had turned things around in the area.

One of them, Charles Eyo, who sells curtains, window blinds and other accessories on the road corridor, said that the road project had revamped businesses in the area.

He said, “I have been paying rent for the past four years without making profit because the road was abandoned, leading to closure of most businesses. However, businesses are springing back to life since the commencement of the road project, and we thank Wike for that.’’

Also, Obi Nicodemus, who sells travelling bags, said politicians have been using the road to campaign for votes only to turn their back once they were voted into office.

“We are happy that Wike has finally wiped our tears and as you can see, businesses are coming back to life due to the ongoing road project,” he said.

Similarly, an Okada rider, Monday Onoja said, “For 10 years, we have been suffering from this road, even pedestrians find it difficult to walk on the muddy road. We are grateful to Wike for this.’’

The contractor and Executive Director, Okmas Nigeria Limited, Ebere Owhonda, said that the project, expected to be completed in August had reached 40 per cent completion.

On his part, one of the community leaders, Umar Abubakar, commended Mr Wike for the resilience to improve the quality of life of rural dwellers.

Mr Abubakar said that the Paokon Kore and market road projects were abandoned by the previous administration.

‘However, in less than two years, Mr Wike has done remarkably well for the people of Gwagwalada,” he said.

(NAN)