The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, says it has made giant strides in the provision of infrastructural facilities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
FCT Director of Information and Communication, Malam Muhammad Hazat Sule, told senior journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that several multi-billion projects including the “six major road projects with several interchanges, culverts, and bridges criss-crossing the entire four phases of the Federal Capital City are being executed.
“Also, landmark projects in Satellite Towns are being rapidly developed to the credit of the present FCT Administration. These major roads in the city centre include construction of the Southern Parkway (S8/9), stretching from the National Ecumenical Centre/CBN to Ring Road 1(RR1/Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway).
“The Road is a 10-lane freeway traversing the southern development corridor of the city centre (Abuja Central Business District). The Parkway encloses the Cultural spine of the city with edifices such as NTA, FCDA Complex, National Ecumenical Centre, National Mosque, National Museum & Millennium Towers, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), National Library, Yar’Adua Centre to mention but a few.”
The FCT Administration Spokesperson, who emphasized that the on-going projects are clear pointers “to the good intentions of this government, disclosed that the Parkway is the longest street in Abuja criss-crossing major districts in the Territory adding that “we are equally handling extension of the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) from the outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) at the AYA Bridge in Asokoro to the Southern Parkway.
“This Administration is also working on the construction of the 15km left-hand service carriageway of outer southern parkway (OSEX) stage 11 from the Ring Road 1 to Wasa Junction.”
Another project by the Bello Administration, according to Sule, is the provision of engineering infrastructure to Wuye, Jahi and Guzape 11 Districts as well as undertaking the dualization of the Lower Usuma Dam-Gurara Water Transfer project in Kaduna State.
“Completing these projects,” according to the FCT Spokesperson, “is to ensure a pleasurable, safe, and fast movement in and around the city for thousands of commuters, especially during peak hours” and to boost economic activities and enhance productivity. And preserve the aesthetic beauty of Abuja which he described the fastest growing city in Africa.
“This Administration’s desire to complete work on the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project and reticulate water clean and safe drinking water to FCT residents isn’t in doubt. This ambitious project is expected to provide portable water supply to 50 Districts of the FCC, covering about 1.5 million residents, who are hitherto depending on other sources of water that may not be hygienic and safe for use,” he stated.
On insecurity, Sule disclosed that “few months ago, the nation was faced with inadequate electricity supply and some parts of the city were not well lit. Today, the entire Abuja is being lit as FCTA instead of playing the blame game, had to think outside the box and quickly provide a worthy alternative.
“Today, most of you can see that the Stand-alone Solar-powered streetlights have been deployed across the city to lit up Abuja, especially at night. The FCT Administration has improved security surveillance with the procurement of modern security gadgets and operational equipment for security Agencies in the FCT.
“In the area of Healthcare delivery, efforts are being made to resuscitate the abandoned 240-bed Utako District Hospital; in addition, the Administration has introduced Automated Registration of Private healthcare facilities to check incidences of quackery. Also, the Zuba Cottage Hospital has been rehabilitated and upgraded to the status of a General Hospital.”
On Education, the Director said the Abuja University in Abaji would soon come on board while the Administration has taken full measures to ensure that all schools in the Territory are provided with adequate security.
He disclosed that the Bello Administration has also built modern library at the College of Education, Zuba in addition to building many classroom blocks for primary and secondary schools.
On traffic management, the Spokesperson said the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services had introduced electronic devices for tracking violators of traffic rules so as to bring sanity on Abuja roads.
Other areas of achievement are the on-going construction of the Karshi Road which he said has the due attention of the Minister.
He appealed to residents of the FCT to pay taxes especially Property Tax on which the disclosed that residents were owing about N29 billion.
According to him, if the FCT Administration recovered the amount, it would help in the provision of needed services to the people insisting that the Administration was forced to drag the debtors to court over the unpaid taxes.