The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, disclosed that the ongoing construction of road networks in Abuja would boost Nigeria’s chances of hosting the Commonwealth Games.
Wike said the road networks in Abuja would show the Commonwealth organizing committee when they visit that the city can host the world.
He spoke during the flagging off ceremony of the construction of Access Arterial Road S1 from Ring Road 2 to FCT Fire Service Station in Kaura District with a 3 Span bridge.
According to Wike: “Today we are in Kaura District to flag off this very important Arterial road S 1 and I hope you are aware that Nigeria is bidding to host the next Commonwealth Games. And it will be difficult for us to achieve that if we don’t have a good network of roads.
“That when the committee comes and they see that the basic infrastructure is being provided, that gives us leeway to be given the hosting rights of the Commonwealth Games.
“So all these linkages, all this network of roads is also geared to showcase to the world that we have a city that can host the next Commonwealth of Games.”
The Minister also disclosed that when the road is completed, it would help the fire service respond to emergencies on time.
He added: “Again, it will help the fire service station in case of emergencies. We have always talked about fire incidents and the response is not usually timely.
“We don’t ask ourselves, it’s not only the fact that maybe they lack some basic amenities, but we don’t have a good network of roads that would enable them to move down and to see that fire incident is solved.
“Like the director of programs has said, look at the fire service station there. By the time this road is constructed with a three-span bridge, of course anywhere there is any fire incident and they are called upon, they will respond immediately.”
Abuja roads, amenities will boost Nigeria’s chances of hosting Commonwealth games – Wike