The protesters who stormed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) headquarters were armed with placards bearing messages such as, “Contractor has failed us, Wike, come to our aid at Chikakore”, “We can’t access our houses again due to gully erosion”, “We can’t afford another rainfall under this condition” among others.
Some residents of Chikakore and Kuchibuyi in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Tuesday protested over the terrible state of the major road linking their community which they described as one of the causes of serial kidnapping in the area.
The protesters who stormed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) headquarters were armed with placards bearing messages such as, “Contractor has failed us, Wike, come to our aid at Chikakore”, “We can’t access our houses again due to gully erosion”, “We can’t afford another rainfall under this condition” among others.
Speaking with SaharaReporters, the residents raised the alarm of an imminent flooding disaster and landslides which had not only destroyed the road but also had claimed several lives.
The community chairman told SaharaReporters that the past FCT administration in 2012 awarded the construction of the said road to Parsons Science Engineering Company limited and the company was fully funded for the execution of the construction of the said road.
He explained that it had however taken the community’s numerous efforts to rehabilitate the road through self-help which is not limited to drainage construction, filling up with laterite, levelling and grading of almost two-kilometre distance road; and to the extent of participating in the asphaltic work on the main entrance road to the community.
In the letter of protest jointly signed by Colonel Daniel Godsent (retd.) Chairman, and Barrister Ihekwoaba Paul E. Secretary and Stephen Joseph, Coordinator, submitted to the Minister, Nyesom Wike, the community appealed to Wike to mandate the company and its directors to move to site and execute the Chikakore Access road contract immediately.
The community explained that the road had become moribund, a death trap and no longer motorable especially during rainy days, noting that community members (mostly women and children) continued to suffer untold hardship on the road and same had hindered the economic and infrastructural development and sustainable business activities.
The letter read in part; "We, Chikakore Community Development Association on behalf of the entire residents of Chikakore Community, Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory write this letter of protest as follows:
"That Chikakore Community Development Association is a registered Association comprising of the residents of Chikakore Community, with the aim of fostering development and peaceful co-existence in the entire Chikakore Community,
"That Chikakore Community is an established layout of the Bwari Area Council, FCT which has over 7000 (Seven Thousand) residents and over 500 businesses.
"The Chikakore/Bwari Access Road connects several communities within the Bwari Area Council such as Kubwa, Kuchibuyi, Guita, Sabo, etc. and Bwari community.
"Our Association appreciates and commends the commitment of your Excellency towards development which had been proven in all areas where you have served, most obvious were demonstrated through the awards and commissioning of numerous legacy projects across the entire River State during your tenure as the State Governor and which had rekindle our hope in the FCT at the pronouncement of your appointment by Mr. President last year. We have seen same commitment that you have shown in FCT in your few months as the FCT Minister.
"That due to the deplorable condition of the Chikakore/Bwari Access Road, the past FCT administration over a decade awarded the construction of the said road to PARSONS SCIENCE ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED and Parsons Science Engineering Company Limited was fully funded for the execution of the construction of the said road.
"Sir, it will interest you to know that Parsons Science Engineering Company Limited only did a retaining work on a local bridge along the Chikakore Access Road and abandoned the contract till date, despite having been fully mobilized to execute the entire contract. The picture of the work done on the local bridge is attached.
"It is noteworthy to state that our numerous efforts to rehabilitate the road through community self-help despite the fact that we are aware that the road was awarded by the FCT Administration to Parsons Science Engineering Company Limited over a decade now. Such effort is not limited to drainage construction, filling up with laterite, levelling and grading of almost 2km distance road; and to the extent of participating in the asphaltic work on the main entrance road to the community. (attached are pictorial evidence as appendix i).
"In addition to our effort, we have written concerned stakeholders such as the Nigeria Building Road Research Institute, Satellite Towns Development Department, Representatives of the FCT at the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representative) to come to our aid by making sure that the road project awarded is completed for use by community members. (attached acknowledged copies as appendices ii - vi).
"That the menace created by the deplorable condition of the said road has become the bane of our underdevelopment since residents, Small & Medium Scale Enterprises/Businesses (SMEs) in these areas do not have access road to the metropolis. Not only that, the Chikakore Community remains a community without motorable road even in this 2024.
"We humbly appeal to your Excellency, to use your good office to mandate the said Parsons Science Engineering Company Limited and its directors to move to site and execute the Chikakore Access road contract, as the road has become moribund, a death trap and no longer motorable especially during rainy days. Our community members (mostly women and children) have continued to suffer untold hardship on this road and same has hindered our economic and infrastructural development and sustainable business activities.
"Your Excellency, it is our firm belief that the if the said Parsons Science Engineering Company Limited is mandated to move to site to execute the said funded contract, the impunity of companies and Individual abandoning contracts awarded by the FCT administration will become a thing of the past," the letter added.
Meanwhile, the director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Udo Samuel Atang who spoke to the protesters gave assurance that their complaint would be presented to the Minister upon his arrival.
"I want to thank you for the confidence you have in our Minister, as you are aware, he is a man that has so much passion for projects. When we say projects, we mean quality projects. And I want to also assure you that every single complaint you laid here, will be presented to the minister upon his arrival. You can be rest assured that the minister will respond effectively,” he said.