Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday declared that the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections would not slow down the delivery of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, insisting that the Tinubu administration’s achievements have become its biggest campaign message.
Speaking after inspecting the Arterial Road N16 linking Ring Road II and Ring Road III and the 7.3-kilometre Tunga Madaki-Zuba road connecting the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, Wike said the administration was already winning the confidence of Nigerians through visible development.
“We are already campaigning with our performance. The major campaign is to provide the dividends of democracy. What are you going to tell the people when you have nothing to show? Our campaign is showing what we have done,” he said.
The minister dismissed fears that political activities would distract the FCT Administration from executing projects, stressing that governance would remain the priority.
“All we have to do is go back to the people and tell them we made promises and fulfilled them. People want to see your report card, not empty rhetoric. As far as the FCT is concerned, we have shown our report card and have no problem winning any election whenever INEC fixes it,” he added.
On the Arterial Road N16 project being handled by CBC Global, Wike expressed confidence that the contractor would meet its January completion deadline.
“The road is very critical. If they complete it by January as promised, I will be highly impressed. We will ensure that funds are made available because once the road is completed, the entire Gwagwa axis will be opened up,” he said.
He also applauded China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the progress recorded on the Tunga Madaki-Zuba road, saying the company had assured the government that the project would be delivered by December.
Wike noted that although the rainy season had slowed earthworks, construction of drainage systems was progressing steadily, adding that he had approved the relocation of electricity poles to pave the way for the installation of streetlights.
The minister commended Chinese construction firms handling FCT projects for commencing work without waiting for mobilisation, describing their confidence in the government’s commitment to funding as commendable.
“What gives us happiness with these companies, particularly the Chinese companies, is that they don’t wait for mobilisation before starting work. They know the government will pay, and funding has not been a problem. I will ensure that funds are released so we can deliver on our promises,” he said.
He urged the contractors to sustain the existing partnership with the FCT Administration and maintain the pace of work to ensure the projects are completed on schedule.
