By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he started fasting and praying for God’s guidance on how to source funds to pay the contractor handling the newly completed FCT-105 highway, the Airport Expressway to Kuje town, when
Wike gave the testimony during the inauguration of the 8.6-kilometre Airport to Kuje road by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.
He explained that at a point, the project became tough due to funding constraints, so he turned to God for intervention. The prayer, he said, has been answered, resulting in the completion of the road, which was awarded in February 2022.
The minister said, considering the significance of the project, he also asked the Minister of State to join in praying for the road anytime she was in Mecca.
Wike recounted: “Each time I come to check the road, each time the contractor comes to see me, he will say, ‘Look, Minister, each time you call us, my blood pressure will go high.’ I told him that when you request money, my blood pressure will also go high.”
“So, at that time, the contractor was doing the Wuye Interchange and all the roads in Wuye. We thank God Mr. President commissioned that road last year during the second-year anniversary.
“So, I continued pestering him. He would ask me, ‘Where do we look for money?’ I said, ‘Okay.’ Some of us who are prayer warriors have to pray. I told the Minister of State for the FCT, ‘Each time you travel to Mecca, put this particular road as one of your requests.
“God should help us get funds to give to the contractors so that we will be able to finish this road.’ And from morning till night, even though I don’t usually fast, I started fasting because of this particular road. And I thank God, God has answered our prayers.”
Wike expressed happiness over the completion of the project, which he said was awarded at over ₦54 billion.
He commended the contractor, Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited, for a job well done.
The Airport Expressway to Kuje town was awarded in February 2022, before the assumption of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
