By Emma Peter, Abuja
The Executive Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), FCT Chapter, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has attributed his recent political victory to divine grace, strategic partnership, the support of party stakeholders and the people of the council.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Madaki, on Wednesday, Maikalangu said he dedicated his victory to Almighty God, FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, his party, supporters and the people of AMAC, describing the outcome as a collective victory.
“Why I dedicated my victory to Almighty God, my Minister Wike, my party and my people is because true power comes from God, but development comes through purposeful partnership and the trust of our citizens,” Maikalangu said.
The chairman said his administration’s achievements had been strengthened by its strategic collaboration with the FCT Administration under Minister Wike, particularly in the area of infrastructure.
He noted that while the AMAC administration had executed several grassroots projects across the council, the FCT Administration had also attracted and implemented major road projects that had transformed connectivity in several communities.
“Apart from my own projects littered across all AMAC communities, I attracted several projects from my Honourable Minister Wike,” he said.
Maikalangu singled out the Karmo-Idu-Gwagwa-Dei-Dei-Saburi road corridor, describing it as a critical economic route linking businesses, petty traders and agricultural communities in AMAC with Suleja, Zuba and neighbouring states.
“Look at Karmo, Idu, Gwagwa, Dei-Dei and the Saburi road. If you are familiar with Abuja over the years, you will understand that route is the vital road that links businesses and petty traders to Suleja, Zuba and neighbouring states,” he said.
He also highlighted the Zaudna-Kaba road, saying the project had opened up interior communities and improved access to Kabuwa and other urban markets.
According to him, the improved road network would help farmers move their agricultural produce to markets more easily while reducing transportation challenges previously experienced by residents of the affected communities.
The chairman further cited the Kabusa-Ketti road network and access routes to Tungan Madaki and neighbouring settlements as part of the administration’s wider effort to open up communities across AMAC.
“Look at Kabusa, Ketti road, Tungan Madaki and beyond. We are opening up every corner of our council so that no community is left isolated,” Maikalangu said.
He said the southern corridor of the council had equally benefited from infrastructure interventions, particularly along the Apo-Wasa and Karshi axis.
“Apo, Wasa and the old long Karshi road is now near completion,” he said, describing the development as a major relief for commuters who had endured the challenges associated with the route for years.
Beyond the major FCT-supported projects, Maikalangu said his administration had continued to execute internal roads, solar-powered streetlights, primary healthcare centres and rural water projects across communities in the council.
He said the combination of AMAC-funded grassroots projects and major interventions by the FCT Administration had significantly expanded the reach of development across the council.
The chairman also expressed appreciation to Minister Wike for his intervention in AMAC, saying the scale of infrastructure projects attracted to the council demonstrated the importance of effective collaboration between the FCT Administration and the grassroots.
“In fact, I have thought of many ideas on how to pay the Minister of FCT, Wike, back, but I am still working on it,” he said.
Maikalangu said the renewed mandate had placed a greater responsibility on his administration to consolidate its achievements and deliver more projects that would directly improve the lives of residents.
He pledged to sustain collaboration with the FCT Administration, party stakeholders and other relevant partners to address infrastructure deficits and improve the welfare of residents across AMAC.
The chairman maintained that his victory should be seen as a fresh call to service, assuring residents that his administration would remain focused on projects capable of delivering sustainable development and shared prosperity across the council.
