President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated one of the 10 lanes road projects, partly funded by an Sukuk Islamic Financing group, and said to have cost over N59 billion.
Tinubu who was represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima applauded FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for unwavering commitment to public infrastructure development in Abuja.
The President noted that, under Wike’s leadership we have witnessed stride in infrastructural development, urban planning and sustainable growth in the nation’s capital.
” We have proved to the world that what counts is leadership, and what this nation needs is quality leadership.
Earlier in his remarks, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike disclosed the road project which has suffered slow pace for 11 years, was completed with the support of the the presidency.
Wike also disclosed that, ” the cost of this project as at when it was awarded was N39.8 billion, but in 2021 it was revised to N59.9 billion.
” It was not easy, knowing fully well what we do under the Treasury Single Account (TSA). It was very difficult for us to have finished this project. But by Mr President allowing us to pull out from this TSA, it became easy for us to access fund and pay contractors”.
Also, Mr. Zhong Xiang, the Managing Director of CGC, the Chinese Contractor that executed the project, acknowledged that it was difficult finishing the job following several hiccups within the 11 years.
Xiang however confirmed that the difficulties were lifted with the support it received from the FCT Minister.
He said, “this project was not easy. It took 11 years to finish but for a fact, in the past eight months the government gave us so much support.
“They paid us all the outstanding payments, so we were able to overcome all the difficulties we were facing. Without the payment we wouldn’t have been able to finish the project in time”
