Abuja – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured residents that ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja will not be abandoned because of the approaching 2027 elections, declaring that the capital city’s landscape would be significantly transformed before the end of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first term in office.
Wike spoke on Tuesday at the flag-off of the construction of the Southern Parkway service carriageways in Gaduwa District, Abuja, where he reiterated the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to sustaining its infrastructure development drive.
The project was flagged off on behalf of President Tinubu by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.
Addressing concerns that political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections could affect ongoing projects, the minister dismissed such suggestions, insisting that development efforts in the territory would continue uninterrupted.
“Today is our 10th day of commissioning projects, but some people have been asking whether, after commissioning these projects and with elections approaching, projects will now be abandoned. The answer is no. Elections or no elections, we must continue to do what Mr. President has directed us to do to change the landscape of the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
According to him, Abuja is on course for a major transformation under the current administration.
“Let me say clearly, by the time Mr. President finishes his first tenure on May 29, 2027, before he is sworn in for a second tenure, the landscape of Abuja would have entirely changed, to the glory of God,” Wike stated.
The minister disclosed that he had personally contacted the management of CGC Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the Southern Parkway project, to seek assurances on the delivery timeline.
He said the company pledged to work around the clock to complete the project, provided the FCTA met its contractual obligations.
“Last night, around midnight, I called the Deputy Managing Director of CGC to ask when this project would be completed. After consulting with his team, he assured me they would work day and night to complete it if we perform our own obligation.
“I want to assure CGC today that we will not fail in our obligation of paying for the work. This is not the first time we have entrusted them with challenging projects and they have delivered,” he said.
Wike expressed confidence that the project would be completed and commissioned before election activities gather momentum in January 2027.
Beyond infrastructure delivery, the minister also issued a stern warning against illegal developments and encroachment on government land, describing such activities as a threat to the implementation of the Abuja Master Plan.
He directed the Department of Development Control and the Department of Lands to identify and remove all illegal structures within the project corridor.
“All these land grabbers who have started developing lands that were not allocated to them should know that those structures will go down. Heaven will not fall. Heaven will be at peace when things are done properly,” he said.
According to him, the administration had observed a recurring pattern of individuals moving into areas earmarked for public projects and commencing developments with questionable documentation.
“We have found out that whenever we want to carry out construction, some people who have not been genuinely allocated land rush there and begin development with forged documents. It will not work,” he added.
The minister directed officials responsible for development control and land administration to intensify enforcement measures and ensure that all unauthorised structures along the corridor are removed.
“Anybody who has started building on land that was not legally allocated should stop. It is in vain. We will bring such structures down,” he warned.
The Southern Parkway service carriageways project is expected to improve traffic circulation, reduce congestion on key roads serving Durumi, Gudu and Gaduwa districts, and support the continued expansion of Abuja’s Southern Development Corridor.
The ceremony was attended by government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders and representatives of the contracting firm, CGC Nigeria Limited.
