President Bola Tinubu says the leadership quality of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is taking governance closer to the residents of the territory.

Mr Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Monday while inaugurating the newly constructed access roads in the Giri district, executed by the Wike-led FCT Administration.

The project was the 13th to be inaugurated out of the 17 outlined for inauguration to celebrate Mr Tinubu’s second year in office.

Represented by the speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, the president said Mr Wike’s work speaks for itself in every corner of the FCT.

“From the vast-spaced districts of Maitama, Jahi, Katampe, Wuye, Mabushi and the likes to the towns of Gwagwalada, Kwali, Bwari and Abaji and the growing communities of Kabusa, Ketti and now Giri district, your leadership has brought progress closer to the people.

“You have not only embraced the visions of my administration’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, but you have also localised it, made it meaningful and made it real. Your actions have brought quality and excellence to the dual states of communities long laid in the shadows,” he said.

Mr Tinubu said the newly constructed access roads were not just infrastructural achievements but a statement of intention to open up Giri District and the FCT.

In his remarks, Mr Wike said the district houses the University of Abuja, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy and other institutions.

“Most of the problem we’re having here is that sometimes when you allocate land, there are no facilities, no infrastructure, and people are not encouraged to develop the allocated land.

“So, we will do everything we can to see that basic infrastructure is provided in Giri to become an important district that will attract so many investors,” he said.

The minister further stated that efforts had begun to construct the critical road network in the district.

He said he had already asked the acting executive secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, and other experts to begin working on the details.

Mr Wike added that the road network would help prevent land grabbing by the University of Abuja, noting that the university had acquired 11,000 hectares without authorisation.

“So, I have told the director of land and other relevant agencies to carve out 4,000 hectares and give it to the university.

“The other ones would be reallocated because we are going to provide the roads here, and that is the true situation,” he said.

On her part, the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as yet another shining example of the Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, connectivity and inclusive growth.

 According to Ms Mahmoud, the Giri road is part of a broader initiative to open up underserved communities and stimulate economic activities within the area councils.

Earlier, Mr Dayda said the project was awarded in November 2024 to provide access roads to the district, planned to be an institutional area.

He stated that the proposed main sewage treatment plant for the city at Giri was also located within the district.

(NAN)