Kasim Mohammed on Wednesday received the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, during a thank-you visit held at NEPA Field in Gwagwalada, drawing residents and political supporters from across the area council.
The visit, organised shortly after the February 21 Area Council elections, served as an appreciation to the minister for what the chairman-elect described as “visible infrastructural transformation” across the Federal Capital Territory.
In his keynote address, Kasim commended the minister—whom he referred to as “Mr. Project”—for ongoing development initiatives across the territory. He said the people of Gwagwalada were grateful for the attention given to infrastructure and public services in the FCT.
While expressing appreciation, the chairman-elect also used the opportunity to highlight several pressing developmental needs within the council. He appealed to the minister to approve a third-class chiefdom for the Gbari people of the Dobi Zone, noting that the recognition would strengthen cultural identity and traditional governance in the community.
Kasim further requested the dualisation of the Gwagwalada road from the Army checkpoint to Dobi, the construction of a bridge linking Dukpa and Rafin Zurfi as well as Ibwa 1 and Ibwa 2, and the construction of the Ikwa–Shanagu road to improve connectivity within the council.
He also urged the minister to facilitate the extension of potable water supply by linking Zuba, Tungan Maje, and Ikwa communities to the FCT Water Board network, a move he said would address long-standing water challenges affecting residents.
Responding to the requests, Wike thanked residents of Gwagwalada for the large turnout at the event and described the outcome of the February 21 election as a reflection of the people’s democratic choice and their support for the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The minister announced immediate approval for the creation of a third-class chiefdom for the Gbari people of the Dobi Zone, a decision that was met with cheers from the crowd.
He also approved the provision of water supply from the FCT Water Board to Zuba, Ikwa, and Tungan Maje, promising that the necessary processes would begin to ensure the communities are connected.
On infrastructure development, the minister directed the chairman-elect to present a priority road project requiring urgent attention so that the FCT Administration can consider it for immediate construction.
The event attracted traditional leaders, community stakeholders, and residents who gathered at the NEPA Field to witness the engagement between the incoming council leadership and the FCT administration.
The visit signals what observers describe as an early collaboration between the Gwagwalada Area Council leadership and the FCT Administration, with expectations that the proposed projects could shape development priorities in the council in the coming years.
— Chronicles Reporters