Abuja Residents To Wike: We Are Feeling Your Impact

Residents of Saburi, in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed their support for FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for spearheading significant developments in their community, including the construction of a major access road.

The residents highlighted that the poor state of the road had previously caused serious security challenges and economic hardships.

They also commended the minister for approving a police station and a hospital for the community, both of which are currently under construction.

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These remarks were made during an independent inspection of ongoing projects in the territory and their impact on benefiting communities.

Wike inaugurated the construction of the 5-kilometre access road on January 21 last year, connecting Saburi 1 and 2 to the Dei Dei International Market. The project, which links the Murtala Mohammed Expressway to the market, was designed to alleviate the community’s struggles, particularly during the rainy season.

The Village Head of Saburi, Alhaji Muhammad Yamawo, described the developments as transformative and expressed gratitude on behalf of the community.

He said: “This road is like someone who has never gotten married; when he finally does, he feels like the whole world belongs to him.

“We have suffered greatly due to the absence of a good road in Saburi, but we are happy that Wike has finally wiped our tears.”

One of the residents, Mr. Emmanuel Ogboh, a shop owner, said that businesses in the area have turned around due to increased vehicular movement since the construction of the road.

Also, Mrs. Justina Ocheche, who sells bean cakes, said her business has been thriving since the completion of the road.

Ocheche noted that the poor state of the road had crippled her business due to heavy dust during the dry season and mud during the rainy season, making her Akara business unhygienic.

“However, since Wike’s intervention, there is no more dust or mud. People are now moving freely, and our patronage has significantly increased.

“God will bless Wike even in the coming generations because of what he has done for us in Saburi and Dei Dei,” she said.

She, however, called for a stable electricity supply in the area, stating that the community sometimes goes for two weeks without water due to erratic electricity supply.

A furniture maker, Mr. Nicholas Emmanuel, stated that the dust emanating from the poor road was not good for business, particularly for furniture, but now the situation is different.

“Now the dust is gone, and so is our catarrh. We thank God that the minister remembered us in Saburi, and we pray that God will keep him to continue the good work he has started,” he explained.

For Mr. Akin Akinwande, a car wash owner in the community, the road network has been a game changer for his business.

“Before, you could barely see 20 cars passing through the community in a day, but now more than 100 ply this road daily.

“This is good for our businesses, and we thank Wike and President Bola Tinubu for it,” he said.

On his part, Mr. Emeka Oduma, a truck driver, said: “I am very impressed with what Wike has done for us in this village. I am happy, and everybody is happy that our minister is doing a good job.

“I have been in Saburi 1 for not less than 10 years now, and the road was very, very terrible. Thank God for Wike, who is setting a good example for others to follow.

Oduma urged the minister not to rest on his laurels and to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people of the FCT.