FCT minister Nyesom Wike has praised President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’. Mr Wike commended the president on Thursday after inspecting rural road projects in Bwari and Abuja municipal area councils in Abuja.

The minister also commended Mr Tinubu for his ‘tremendous support’ of the FCT Administration in providing residents with critical infrastructure and quality services.

The projects inspected included the 7.2-kilometre road linking Gaba and Tokulo communities in the Bwari area council and the five-kilometre access road linking Saburi 1 and 2 in the Abuja municipal area council.

The roads are part of the rural roads constructed across the six area councils of the FCT.

Mr Wike explained that Mr Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ was not only for the people in the cities but also designed to ensure that those in rural communities felt the impact of his administration.

He said, “I am very glad to say that the renewed hope agenda is working, particularly as it concerns the area councils. The ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ is not only for the cities. It is also to make sure that those in the rural areas feel part of the administration.

“We have been to Bwari, and we attest to the fact that that is a very difficult terrain. No wonder people talk of insecurity. But with the construction of that road, you can say that there is hope.”

The FCT minister added, “I feel so happy that I am part of this administration and that people can see changes. Again, we are here in Saburi, and you can see the work going on. When we came to inaugurate the road, you could see the enthusiasm among the people.”

The minister added that the road projects were funded from the 2023 emergency supplementary budget and that the N1.28 trillion FCT 2024 statutory budget, when assented by Mr Tinubu, would also be used to construct additional roads in the six area councils.

Mr Wike, who expressed optimism that the 2024 budget was realistic, added that 58 per cent of the capital budget would be spent on ongoing projects.

He also said the remaining 42 per cent was earmarked for critical new projects, which would commence after Mr President’s assent.

(NAN)