The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has clarified the purpose of constructing the access road to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy, explaining that the project is aimed at improving connectivity for the Giri community rather than serving the anti-corruption agency alone.
Speaking during the road’s commissioning on Thursday, Wike addressed misconceptions surrounding the project.
” A lot of people are talking about EFCC, EFCC, making it as if we are doing the road for EFCC. It happened that they are going to one of the beneficiaries, you know, the essence of the road is not for EFCC but it’s to open up areas which they are also going to benefit for the fact that the academy is also located in this area. The community will also benefit,” he stated.
The minister emphasised that the road would bring multiple benefits to the local community.
“People will now come and build houses. Farmers will build their produce to the city. That’s the whole essence of opening up everywhere.
“So the lecture should not be said that we are building a road for for EFCC. We are not building a road for EFCC. We are building a road to open up access and develop areas and of course they are one of the beneficiaries,” he added.
He further explained that providing infrastructure like this road would ease congestion in Abuja.
“I’m sure some of you who will also benefit from this road. You can imagine that these districts, people have not come in here because there are no access roads but with the access road that everybody will come and develop and that’s what we are looking for so that we will decongest the city. I mean, if this road is done and people are living here, you don’t need to go to the city and leave.
“You go from here to work. Within 20 minutes, you’re already at your workplace,” he said.
Wike expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting infrastructure development in Abuja.
“I want to thank you, Mr. President, for providing the watchdate funds to give you the free hand to do what you are doing and that’s why today that everybody is talking about the infrastructure revolution taking place in Abuja. If we didn’t get the support of Mr. President, it would be very difficult. So I thank you most sincerely for this opportunity,” he said.
The minister also noted the importance of the EFCC Academy, which hosts international conferences and provides a world-class training environment. He expressed hope that the new road would enhance the academy’s operations and inspire its personnel to perform even better.
“And I thank God that an academy like this of international standard, I mean, where they host international conferences, where people will stay and learn and will have access to it. It doesn’t make any sense. So I believe that with the work the FCC is doing, that will encourage them to do more,” he said.
Wike invited stakeholders to celebrate the project’s completion, describing it as a crucial step in fostering development and accessibility in the FCT.
“On behalf of the FCC, I invite our dear leaders to join us as we fly off this very potent route. Thank you and God bless you,” he said.
