20 hours ago
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday declared that working with him is not easy.
Wike, who described himself as “troublesome,” said anybody who can successfully work with him can replicate such a feat anywhere and survive.
He spoke during the commissioning of the dualised and upgraded Ushafa to War College-Army Checkpoint roads, along with other ancillary roads in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second term in office.
The project was commissioned by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu.
According to Wike: “Mr President, this project, 16.4 km goes to the village of Ushafa, this process started before your administration came on board, BPP approved but it expired, so when we came onboard, I looked at it and they said I should resubmit it to the contractor.
“I said who is this contractor, they said AbdulVal – in construction, I’d never heard of AbdulVal. I have been very careful when it concerns road work because I know that road infrastructure is key to opening up of areas and for investors to come in. So I wasn’t comfortable when I saw that it was a local contractor. I said, ‘16.4km?’
“I called my Chief of Staff go and find out where this company is, and check the equipment they have, because with my experience, I don’t want portfolio contractors.
“I came here and saw this place, it was terribly bad. It was flagged off in September last year and he was given 15 months. I have never visited a project like this, I have been here more than 15 times, Sundays and Saturdays.
“Sometimes I will tell my ADC, call this contractor on phone. Are you sure this project can be completed for Mr president to commission? You know me, I’m a troublesome person too. I have already told Mr president that he’s going to inaugurate this road, so if he doesn’t, there will be a problem.
“Working with me is not an easy thing, for anybody to survive working with me, then you will work anywhere and survive.”
He added: “This is the first time a sitting president would go to the satellite towns to identify with them, to let the people in the satellite town know that as we are doing in the city so also we will care for you.
“Mr President was personally in Kwali, today you have come here and on Friday, you will be in Gwagwalada.
“Last Friday, the Speaker represented the president in commissioning the Kabusa-Ketti road. This has never happened and this shows the love you have for the satellite town residents.”
Wike further commended the president for fulfilling his promises of commissioning projects in rural areas.
“When we wanted to start this, I met Mr President to say it would be more appreciative if you make time to visit the rural area and Mr President said we will not only come once, but we will come 1,2, 3, and you have fulfilled it. I want to sincerely thank you, you have even surpassed it; by Friday, it will be the fourth time.”
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