Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that ongoing road construction and water supply projects in satellite towns and rural communities have significantly reduced insecurity while improving economic activities across the territory.
Wike made this known on Monday during a live media chat in Abuja, where he said the administration deliberately shifted focus to neglected communities after residents identified poor road infrastructure as a key factor driving insecurity.
According to him, consultations with traditional rulers, youths, women and other stakeholders revealed that criminals often exploited bad roads, making it difficult for security agencies to respond quickly during attacks.
“What we did was to go to the rural areas and interact with the stakeholders the chiefs, the youths, the women and other leaders,” he said.
“They told us most of the roads were not passable and that even when attacks occurred, security operatives could not effectively respond because the roads were bad. So we took on the task and built the roads they themselves nominated.”
The minister said the intervention has already yielded results, particularly in Kuje Area Council, where several rural road projects have been completed.
“Those roads have been built, and it really helps in terms of reducing insecurity and in terms of access to farmlands,” he stated.
Wike stressed that his administration was determined to ensure that governance delivers visible impact in rural communities rather than concentrating development in the city centre alone.
“Whatever policies we make, by the grace of God, we will implement them. That is how people are going to see the impact of governance, particularly in the rural areas,” he said.
He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu would soon commission several projects in satellite towns as part of activities marking the administration’s anniversary.
The projects include water schemes in Kuje, Orozo, Gwagwalada and Dobi aimed at improving access to potable water in underserved communities.
“We can’t concentrate only on the city. We must also move to the satellite towns and provide them with critical infrastructure,” Wike said.
He added that the water projects, executed by CGC, have been completed and are ready for commissioning.
Wike also listed several road projects either completed or nearing completion, including the A2-Pai road, the Bwari-Kubwa road, roads in Dei-Dei and sections of the A3 corridor.
According to him, the Bwari-Kubwa road will be completed before the end of the year, while work is ongoing on the Abuja airport corridor and the Zuba-Airport link road to ease traffic congestion.
He further announced plans to review the Abuja Master Plan, saying discussions with the original Japanese designers of the city have been scheduled for July.
“The world has changed. The world is different. You have to conform with current realities,” he said.
Wike also revealed that the FCT Administration is constructing additional hostel accommodation for students of the Nigerian Law School as part of efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure in the capital city.
