Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged President Bola Tinubu's administration to prioritize the completion of the Idu industrial park in Abuja, stating that the project has the potential to create 40,000 direct jobs for Nigerians.
Wike made this declaration on Tuesday during the commissioning of the newly constructed right-hand service carriageway of the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) from Ring Road 3 (RR3) to Outer Northern Expressway (Murtala Mohammed Expressway), which links Idu to Zuba.
The event, which marked President Tinubu's second year in office, was attended by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who represented the President.
Road Project Completed Despite Inflation Challenges
During his address, Wike revealed that the road project was initially awarded in 2014 at a cost of N7 billion but was later increased to N31 billion due to inflation. The project, which had been ongoing for 11 years, was finally completed under the current administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.
"When we were inaugurated in August 2023, I was able to come to this place, passing through Idu – it was difficult for anybody to say he would continue with this project because I just asked myself and the FCDA, how did you people award this kind of road that you know you can't finish?" Wike questioned.
He added: "Did you ask yourself that a job of N7 billion in 2014 with commitment you can finish it, every month let the company collect from our IGR N500 million, in one year, we have paid six billion naira but the road has taken 11 good years."
Industrial Park's Potential for Job Creation
The FCT Minister emphasized the strategic importance of the area as Abuja's industrial hub and highlighted how administrative bottlenecks had previously hindered development.
"This is the industrial site of Abuja. I took time to go to that place and I said, look we are losing a lot and of course the people were not comfortable that they will continue, why? For years they had no Certificate of Occupancy to assure them that they can continue with the job," Wike explained.
He noted that his administration had immediately ordered the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy within two weeks of identifying this problem.
"Mr President, I will encourage you that it will create not less than 40,000 direct jobs. What I saw, if we are able to give them the support, some of these problems will be solved," Wike stated, adding that the company has already applied to complete the left-hand side of the road.
The minister also mentioned that tax concessions would be necessary and that they had already forwarded the project cost estimates to the Ministry of Finance for consideration.
Wike further highlighted infrastructure challenges that had delayed the project's completion: "The contractors could not get approval to cross the rail line for them to complete this job and I hope Mr President that you will go through this way to Zuba and go back to Abuja."
The completion of this road project represents a significant step in the development of Abuja's industrial capacity and transportation infrastructure, aligning with the administration's economic growth and job creation objectives.
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