By Daniel Tyokua
Residents and communities leaders of Paikon – Kore in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed happiness over the completion of 9k Paikon – Kore – Ibwa road by Nyesom Wike’s led administration.
They made their position known at the weekend when some journalists interacted with the people during a visit to the construction site of the project.
The project was flagged off in February, 2024 by the minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, as one of the the rural emergency projects initiated, to boost security and socio-economic activities across the territory.
Senaka Rupanetti, a senior project manager in Setraco Nigeria Ltd, which is the contractor handling the project having about 17 culverts, said it was completed in December 2024, and handed over to the FCT Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD).
He said,: “Except the skilled workers, all the helpers, labourers who were engaged in this project are from all of these two communities (Paikon Kore and Ibwa). In addition, because of the skills we need, we brought the outsiders also. But, most of the people we engaged were from these two communities.
” The host communities have given full support to us and they are very happy with us, with the way they are doing.
“Also, if any disturbances come, they will engage themselves, their chiefs are coming and helping us to resolve any issues that come. So, we don’t have any problem with the communities.
“So, we have completed it, and also the minister had funded earlier than when we started the job. So, it is easier for us to complete the project. So, he (Wike) has helped us to complete this project.”
“The highest ranking traditional ruler in Gwagwalada Area Council is the Aguma of Gwagwalada. So, we are appreciating him on behalf of Gwagwalada Area Council, because this palace is the palace of the Chairman of Traditional Council of Chiefs in the Council.
“So, we are thanking him most sincerely for what he has done for us in Gwagwalada Area Council. May God continue to preserve him so that we begin to see more of his handwork in Gwagwalada Area Council.”
Also, for Ibrahim Umar, who described himself as the Community Liaison Officer Paikonkore-Ibwa communities, his people are thrilled by the complete transformation of the road from what it used to be over decades of its existence even before the creation of the FCT.
Umar said the road aside from improving movement of humans and goods, it has also enhanced efforts at addressing the security challenges in the area.
He opined that the people especially the farmers are now being empowered to farm more, as they would be able to easily and securely convey their farm produce to and from the towns.
Recall that Wike had reiterated that the project was one of the roads that Mr. President directed that must be completed in the satellite towns, so as to improve access to the farmlands and markets in the rural areas, thereby enhancing food security in the territory and country at large.
