…Says no road will be abandoned, promises December delivery of ongoing works
ABUJA – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Thursday gave residents of the nation’s capital a firm assurance that all ongoing infrastructure projects under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will be completed before the end of the year, declaring that no project initiated by the administration will be abandoned.
The minister spoke after inspecting several strategic road projects in Abuja, including the Research and Institution Avenue and other ongoing infrastructure works, where he expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of construction.
Wike dismissed concerns over possible delays, insisting that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated its commitment to completing both inherited and newly awarded projects.
“What should concern you is whether there is any project we have started and abandoned. Look at even the projects that were awarded since 2010. We have tried to see that all are completed, and the ones that this administration has awarded will also be completed,” he said.
The minister added: “I don’t want to be pessimistic. I’m very optimistic that all the roads we have inspected, after the commissioning and flag-off, will also be completed. As far as I’m concerned, latest by the end of this year.”
Speaking on the Research and Institution Avenue project being handled by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Wike said he was impressed by the progress made despite initially expressing concern about the amount of work still left on the project.
“I have faith. There are companies that, when they give you their word and you also play your own part, they always fulfil. CCECC is a company that is doing the road at the Research and Institution Avenue.
“With what I saw today, I can tell you comfortably that if we complete that project, I can beat my chest and go home and say I’m happy. The administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has succeeded in providing the basic infrastructure that has transformed Abuja into the city it is supposed to be,” he stated.
Wike also showered praises on Arab Contractors for the quality of work on another major road project, recalling that when the current administration came into office in August 2023, the contractor handling the Airport Road to Kuje project had not mobilised to site.
According to him, after discussions with stakeholders, the company pledged to complete the project as part of activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
“Today, you can agree with me that it is one of the best quality roads you can talk about in Abuja. They are the ones now doing this road, and look at the quality of the job,” he said.
“The Managing Director, who is here with us, has assured us they will do their own part while we will also fulfil our obligations. By the grace of God, we will hand over this project to Mr. President in December.”
The FCT minister said the relationship of trust between the administration and contractors had been instrumental in sustaining the pace of project execution across the territory.
“They have never disappointed us. That’s why most companies, even if we have not done our own part, still go ahead because they know that, at the end of the day, we will fulfil our obligation. That trust is there between us and these companies, and I have confidence in them,” he said.
Expressing delight over what he saw during the inspection, Wike maintained that the ongoing infrastructure revolution under President Tinubu had changed the face of Abuja.
“I can tell you I am highly elated with the level of work, the level of construction and the quality that we have seen. Every right-thinking person in this country and in this city will agree that indeed the President’s administration has transformed Abuja into a world-class city,” he declared.
The minister also urged journalists to report developments in the FCT objectively, saying members of the media who had visited the project sites could bear witness to the visible changes taking place in the capital city.
“People are happy, and I believe that even you, the media, can attest to it. Even if we are not there, you become our ambassadors to say, ‘We have gone, we have seen, and we can attest to the fact that things have changed,'” he said.
On the ongoing bridge project around the Jabi axis, Wike appealed for patience, assuring residents that the project would also be delivered.
“I know you have interest in one of these particular projects, but just be patient. Everything will be done,” he assured.
