Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike has called on residents of the nation’s capital to shun any planned protest in the territory.
The Minister made the call in Abuja on Thursday when he inspected the ongoing construction of the 5km access road from the Outer Northern Expressway, ONEX, to the old Keffi road, also known as Saburi Road, in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC.
Some youths are planning to embark on a nationwide protest, starting from August 1, to register their grievances over the economic challenges facing the citizens.
However, Barr. Wike, who spoke in pidgin English while interacting with residents of Saburi, said those behind the protests were only working for their selfish interests, noting that the problems in the country could not be solved by protests.
The minister, empathised with FCT residents over the economic difficulties in the country, reassured that the government is sincere, committed and working round the clock to provide the needed succour.
A statement by director of Press in the Office of the Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, said Wike also expressed confidence in the ability of the President Bola Tinubu government to bring about the desired change in the country, stressing that the difficulties occasioned by the economic reforms were temporary and would soon be a thing of the pas
“I know say so many things don spoil before now, no bi so? And when everything spoil like that , e no go just be overnight you go do everything well again, no bi am? e go take small small. I know say as all of us dey here, you expect say as this government come, every problem e go solve am within one day, is it possible?
“What is giving people hope be say as we come we say we go do this road and we start to do it. Which means in the future things go better. If you know how bad things dey for this country before now..so make una have patient and see wetin go happen, see weda things no go better. That is the promise,” the minister emphasised.
Speaking on the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government in the FCT, Wike said hope is gradually being restored in the FCT with the accelerated provision of vital infrastructure, which has helped to improve the lives of the people.
Responding to a request by a member of the Saburi community for the provision of a police station and health centre in the community, the minister assured that they would be provided in due course.
Wike who was accompanied on the inspection visit by the AMAC chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, the coordinator of Satelite Town Development Department, STDD, Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, former senator representing the FCT, Tanimu Aduda, amongst others, used the opportunity to extract a commitment from the AMAC chairman to provide a health centre for the community, while also committing that the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, will construct a police station for the community, as he urged members of the community to hold the chairman responsible if they do not get the health centre.
He further urged members of the community to go on about their legitimate businesses and resist any attempt to lure them into joining any form of protests against the government in the FCT while assuring them that the FCTA will continue to work towards bringing development to the entire residents.
The minister added that the Saburi road under construction is one of such projects by the FCTA aimed at opening up and bringing development to the FCT.
Speaking earlier, the managing director of Lubrick Construction, the construction company handling the road project, Mr. Anthony El-Khoury assured the minister that the project was going according to the schedule and will be completed on time.
