Abuja: Residents of Saburi I and II communities in Abuja Municipal Area Council have described the recently constructed road in the community, initiated by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, as a ‘game changer.’ Some of the residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the road project had significantly improved socio-economic activities in the area.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, a correspondent alongside other members of the Ministers’ Press Corps visited the community to assess the impact of road projects on FCT communities. NAN recalled that Wike had on Jan. 21, 2024, inaugurated the construction of a 5-kilometre access road connecting Saburi I and II and Dei Dei International Market. The minister had said that the road, from Murtala Mohammed Expressway to Dei Dei International Market, was designed to ease the suffering of the people, particularly during the wet season.
The residents expressed that the road had improved their businesses and triggered enormous socio-economic activities and other developmental strides in the area. Mr. Emmanuel Ogboh, a shop owner, noted that businesses in the community had improved owing to the increased vehicular movement since the construction of the road. He thanked Wike for extending his developmental agenda to the Saburi community.
Mrs. Justina Ocheche, who sells beans cake, popularly known as Akara, mentioned that her business had improved since the completion of the road. She stated that when the road was not completed, her business suffered due to heavy dust during the dry season and mud during the rainy season. She expressed gratitude towards Wike for improving conditions in the area. However, she called on the FCT administration to tackle the challenges of epileptic electricity and potable water supply in the community.
Mr. Nicholas Emmanuel, a furniture maker, explained that the dust from the road previously affected the furniture business in the community. He added that residents often wore nose masks to protect themselves from the dust and prevent catarrh. With the dust issue resolved, he expressed relief and gratitude for the minister’s efforts.
Mr. Akin Akinwande, a car wash owner in the community, stated that the road network was transformative for his business. He noted that the increased traffic flow was beneficial for local enterprises and thanked Wike and President Bola Tinubu for the development.
Truck driver Mr. Emeka Oduma expressed his satisfaction with the road project’s impact, noting the improvements compared to the road’s previous condition. He praised Wike as a ‘good man’ and encouraged the continuation of similar projects in rural communities of the FCT.
The Village Head of Saburi, Alhaji Muhammad Yamawo, described the road project as the community’s ‘new bride.’ He expressed joy and gratitude for the development, having faced challenges due to the absence of a good road. Yamawo also commended Wike for the ongoing construction of a police station and a hospital in the community.
NAN reports that the 5-kilometre Saburi to Dei Dei road is among several road projects awarded by the Wike-led FCT Administration in rural communities across the six area councils of the territory.