On progress in the FCT
In the education sector, Senator Aliero established about 100 junior and senior secondary schools, science laboratories in all the senior secondary schools, a state university of science and technology and ensured that teachers in the state were amongst the highest paid civil servants in Kebbi State.Due to the fact that the traffic congestion of Lagos […]
In the education sector, Senator Aliero established about 100 junior and senior secondary schools, science laboratories in all the senior secondary schools, a state university of science and technology and ensured that teachers in the state were amongst the highest paid civil servants in Kebbi State.
Due to the fact that the traffic congestion of Lagos has now caught up with Abuja thus making commuting a harrowing experience, the flash points being the Airport Road and the Kubwa Road axis, a serious problem that past administrations in the FCT could not handle, Senator Aliero ensured that he got the approval of the Federal Executive Council for work to commence on the expansion of the Airport Road and the Outer Northern Express way (ONEX) or Zuba-Kubwa-Asokoro road from a four-lane expressway into a ten-lane expressway.
This is a clear demonstration of the FCTA’s dedication to providing infrastructure in line with the needs of a modern economy. Worthy of mention is that this is the very first of its type in this part of Africa. The FCT Minister has since signed contract with three contractors comprising Julius Berger, CGC and Dantata and Sawoe for work to start with 22, 23 and 30 – month completion periods. Work is now in various stages of completion.
In light of Senator Aliero’s desire for a modernized, accessible and affordable mode of transportation in the FCT, he has approved contract for the Abuja Light Rail which will be ready in 2012. So far, the Chinese company handling the contract has made impressive progress, just as Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero has restated the commitment of his administration to ensure that the $ 840 million Abuja Light Rail Project is finished on schedule.
The health sub-sector has also recorded tremendous improvement, as the 225-bed Karu General Hospital is now at 85% completion, just as the contractor who has already supplied all the equipment is busy installing them. The hospital would be commissioned by the FCT Minister in the first quarter of this year. The construction and equipping of the 225-bed Utako District Hospital is in progress as it has reached 32 per cent level of completion, while work on the 40-bed Zuba Hospital which was awarded in 2007 has reached 70 per cent completion. The FCT Administration under the dynamic leadership of Adamu Aliero has also concluded plans to construct an ultra modern diagnostics centre in the FCT to serve as a reference centre for the nation’s health institutions. This centre is inclusive of a five-star hospital that will be built through the Public-Private-Partnership initiative.
On environment, the current administration of Senator Adamu Aliero has recorded an overwhelming improvement considering that it met the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) in a poor shape. The Staff strength and the number of contractors handling the solid waste evacuation was extremely insufficient and equipment lacking. As an intervention measure, the minister directed for the immediate employment of 500 additional cleaners to ensure that the AEPB operates effectively. Similarly, the administration imported 50 compacting trucks and 12 mechanical sweepers with 15 of them already handed over to the Abuja cleaning contractors.
Aliero’s determination saw to the reactivation of contract for the construction of phases III & IV of the water treatment plants and negotiation of their variation. Phase III is expected to be commissioned in the second quarter of 2010, while the refurbishment of Tank I & IV is on to allow for optimal performance. The FCT administration has also connected over 5,000 houses in Gwarinpa Estate to the Abuja water main trunk line.
Politically, while he was governor, Aliero has been able to carry the entire people of Kebbi State along through the provision of essential services, projects and programmes that have positively impacted on their socio-economic lives. But with such standards set, what could be next? Nigerians should expect more developmental projects and achievements from this man.
Ibrahim Muhammed, 12a, Democracy Crescent, Gaduwa Estate, Abuja. [email protected]