The ongoing road rehabilitation in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, is a departure from the past where infrastructure were allowed to dilapidate, writes NNAMDI ESEME
A drive through major roads in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital, and some other parts of the country shows serious maintenance and rehabilitation projects going on. There is the dualisation of roads, filling of potholes, construction of drainages, all in a bid to elongate the life span of projects already existing.
Before now, infrastructures were left abandoned for years until such structures begin to dilapidate. Nigerians hardly had time to visit such structures to try to maintain or keep them in good shape. One major factor that contributed to this is that many politicians believe in the construction of new projects during their administration, and so they intentionally abandon existing ones executed by previous administrations, probably to prove that they too have initiatives. A good example is the Abuja National Stadium which was allowed to be overgrown with weeds and taken over by hooligans and rabbits. This was said to be this one of the reasons Arsenal Football Club of England aborted their planned pre-season tour of Nigeria last year. It took the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan before the grasses could be cleared.
This lack of maintenance culture in Nigeria is a problem to Nigerians. Recently, a television station aired the deplorable state of the Police College in Lagos. That is to show lack of maintenance culture.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, is leading the way in maintenance culture. Some intra-street roads in the territory are receiving facelift some 20 years after they were constructed.
Mr. John Uchenna, a businessman resident in Abuja, said he is impressed with the current maintenance exercise being carried out in the FCT. He commended President Jonathan for his people oriented projects.
“If all our leaders will emulate the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan in building good roads, building better infrastructures and ensuring that those structures when completed, are properly maintained, then Nigeria will be a better country to live in. For so long, we have suffered hardship as a result of negligence on the part of leaders to maintain infrastructures. Consider the Niger Bridge; it has been there for over 30 years and need to undergo reconstruction. This is to ensure that the bridge does not collapse as there have been reports by motorists who use the bridge regularly that parts of the bridge is becoming weak and might give way if rehabilitation work is not done on it. I want the president to continue with the reform he is doing, Nigerians truly appreciate it”.
A political analyst, Mr. James Dami said that the quality of works being done by the Jonathan administration is a turnaround in the way Nigerians have perceived their leaders to be. He said that conscientiousness is applied in awarding contracts because the people are watching at what will be done after such contracts are awarded.
“Nigerians have always had the idea that we can let our infrastructures to dilapidate since no one bothers how to take care of such. We blame the government for neglecting projects which they built or for abandoning ongoing projects. But in this administration, we have seen a change. In the past all around us, we see eyesores created as a result of failure to implement a continuity strategy. Growth and development is inherent in a people, so also is the lack of it. And this growth can only be brought about if the people are driven by the desire to sustain and maintain infrastructures for future generations. Imagine if all our roads were bad and each government that comes into power ignores building new roads but maintain the ones we already have, our country would not have been in shambles. And that was what we were experiencing; investors were afraid to come into the country because of the failing structures we have but all these have changed and we hope to see more”.
Some Abuja residents, especially in Wuse area, have commended the FCT administration for the rehabilitation of roads currently going on in the area. Commuters say the roads are now in a better shape and have made transportation easier. A businessman in the area, Mr. Donald Aham said the contractors handling the road maintenance project are not cutting corners as was the case in other parts of the country but is putting their best to ensure that the roads are maintained and in good shape.
“They have really proven to be trustworthy construction firm. Their efforts have helped to decongest the roads in Wuse; the roads are now free, business is booming and there is ease in the movement of people and goods. Nigerians appreciate good things and if all of us will have the same mind like the President to maintain our infrastructures, Nigeria will be rated among the best countries in the world,” he concluded.
Another aspect that has experienced a face-lift due to the improved maintenance culture of Nigerians is the Unity schools. School blocks which before now, were in a sorry state have now undergone renovation which has led to conducive learning environment and consequently improved the quality of education in such schools.