The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration will partner with the Nasarawa State Government on the development of rail line and road networks.
Wike said this when Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa visited him in his office in Abuja to seek active collaboration between the state and FCT in areas of security and infrastructure including the proposed Keffi- Abuja rail line.
Acknowledging the contiguity of Nasarawa State to the FCT, the minister stressed the need for synergy for the development of the two entities.
He said the FCTA would open discussion with the Nasarawa Government on the development of the metro rail line from Apo to Keffi and the completion of the road network from Abacha Barracks to Masaka.
Wike said the metro line is key but very expensive, adding that efforts were in top gear to rehabilitate the metro line as directed by President Bola Tinubu which he said would be completed in the next seven months.
He attributed the key challenge affecting the development efforts of the FCT to the paucity of funds.
“Many projects and contracts have been awarded but without execution due to insufficient funds.
“The FCT Administration is identifying major projects with high impact that can stimulate development to be financed and completed.
“Abuja cannot develop if complementary efforts were not made to equally impact positively on Nasarawa state,” said Wike, the immediate past governor of Rivers State.
On the development of land for a clean city as proposed by the Nasarawa Government, Wike said he could not make a commitment for now due to financial constraints.
He also emphasized the need for a stronger partnership between FCT and the Nasarawa government to tackle insecurity.
