Minister Wike described the due diligence and procedural inspections necessary to comply with Nigeria’s procurement rules during the event. He underlined that sanctioning a project of this nature requires a rigorous process that verifies compliance before final authorisation is granted. Wike affirmed that the project will be managed by Julius Berger Construction, a significant force in Nigeria’s infrastructure market.
During his speech, the Minister praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to road infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory and acknowledged the contributions of his esteemed guests. He pointed out that their assistance was crucial in enabling the project’s quick approval and start.
But during Wike’s address, a humorous personal moment caught our attention. He spoke to Julius Berger’s departing managing director, whom he had lately visited at his house to celebrate the managing director’s wife’s birthday. Wike, a Real Madrid supporter, received a Borussia Dortmund jersey during that October 22 visit. To the chagrin of the managing director, Real Madrid overcame Borussia Dortmund in a thrilling contest, winning 5-2 after falling behind 2-0 early on.
However, Acknowledging the moment with humor, Wike offered a public apology: “I’m sorry for coming to your house on your wife’s birthday and making you unhappy.”
This light-hearted conversation demonstrated the minister’s grounded demeanour as he struck a balance between times of sincere companionship and important national duties. The event concluded with Wike expressing excitement for the project’s future and emphasising that the building of Arterial Road N5 is a step towards a more developed, accessible, and linked FCT rather than just a construction project.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
