The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Monday declared that indigenous contractors have come of age and are capable of delivering projects to the same standard as their foreign counterparts, following the successful completion of the Karu Road project in Abuja.
Speaking during the commissioning of the road by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Wike disclosed that he had initially been reluctant to award the contract to Abdul-Val Constructions Limited because of previous experiences with some indigenous contractors who failed to deliver after receiving mobilisation funds.
“I was initially sceptical about awarding this company the contract because of my past experience as a local government chairman and governor. When you give some local contractors money to build, they start spending the profit before commencing the work. Before long, you are chasing them around and even involving the police. I did not want to go through that experience again,” Wike said.
The minister explained that the contractor personally appealed for an opportunity, prompting the FCT Administration to first assess the firm’s capacity through the War College Ushafa Road project, which was commissioned last year.
“But this young man came to my office pleading for an opportunity. If you recall, we commissioned the War College–Ushafa Road last year. That was the trial project. He proved himself and convinced me that indigenous contractors have come of age and can deliver what foreign companies can”, he said.
Wike further commended the contractor for maintaining work on site despite delays in payment.
“One thing I noticed was that whether funds were available or not, they never abandoned the site. They kept working and kept telling me, ‘Mr Minister, I believe in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I will complete the project because I know the government will pay.’ That level of confidence is rare these days, and I sincerely commend him.”
He noted that the contractor fulfilled his promise by completing both the road and its accompanying drainage infrastructure in time for the President’s third-anniversary project commissioning programme.
“I was afraid we would not complete this project before the anniversary activities, but he assured me it would be finished. Today, he has fulfilled that promise, and, on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, I thank him for believing in this government.”
The minister said the successful execution of the project had strengthened his confidence in indigenous construction firms and demonstrated that Nigerian companies could deliver quality infrastructure when given the opportunity.
Wike also revealed that President Tinubu had approved the construction of all roads within Karu Town, adding that the administration had fulfilled its promise to provide the infrastructure requested by residents.
“As you enter this area, you can see that the entire landscape has changed. We promised the people of Karu that all the roads they requested, including the EFCC Road, DSS Road, hospital road and others, would be constructed. Today, we have fulfilled that promise.”
He maintained that quality infrastructure should be appreciated regardless of political affiliation.
“I do not know anyone who does not appreciate good things. It does not matter which political party you belong to. When you see good work, you acknowledge it. Nobody can dislike this road because this is what development should look like.”
The minister thanked President Tinubu for his continued support for the FCT Administration, noting that the President had devoted nine of the 14 days set aside for the project commissioning programme to personally inaugurate projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that the reconstruction of roads in Karu and the adjoining Nyanya–Mararaba corridor would significantly ease traffic congestion and improve the quality of life for residents.
“We want every community and every district in the FCT to know that, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, development will reach every part of Abuja. All we ask is that Nigerians continue to support this government because, in the end, everyone will benefit,” Wike said.
