The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the 13 km Apo–Karshi Road project has been re-awarded to a new contractor, S.C.C. Nigeria Limited, following the prolonged delays by the previous contractor, Kakatar Engineering Limited.
The minister said this on Thursday after inspecting ongoing road projects in Karu, Road N20 in Gishiri, and the Apo–Wassa axis of the Outer Southern Motorway.
It could be recalled that the road was originally awarded to Messrs Kakatar Engineering Limited in 2011 at a contract sum of N6.4bn, under former minister Bala Mohammed, with a 20-month completion timeline. Fourteen years later, the project remains uncompleted.
During one of the inspections of the project in September 2024, Wike had questioned the contractor’s capacity, blaming the prolonged delay on political interference.
He vowed at the time that his administration would do everything possible to see that the Apo–Karshi Road is completed.
“I still have my doubts, but they are insisting that by April, they will have completed this project. It’s a project very dear to us… Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt,” he said.
Answering questions from journalists after inspecting some projects within the nation’s capital on Thursday, Wike confirmed that the contract had now been terminated and re-awarded under an emergency arrangement.
He also announced the award of a new project for a road linking Kubwa to the Bwari Area Council.
“Let me tell you the truth: we have terminated that contract. It has been re-awarded to S.C.C. If you go there now, you’ll see they have started work. It’s a road so many people are interested in because it will decongest these areas.
“We cannot continue to play politics when it comes to the welfare of the people. That road has been terminated.
“And the road leading from Kubwa to Bwari has also started, so there will be an alternative route to Bwari. That’s also awarded to S.C.C. So, we can assure you that things are moving very well according to plan,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that the administration will not initiate new projects in 2026, describing it as a political year. He said the focus would instead be on completing ongoing projects, which will be featured in the 2026 budget.
According to him, “Next year, what you see in 2025 will be nothing compared to what you’ll see in 2026. I must tell you the truth: in 2026, we are not likely to start any new projects.” He said that to ensure that the projects we started this year are completed by 2026.
Those projects will come under the 2026 budget. Mind you, that year happens to be a political year, so you don’t start projects you may not be able to finish within your tenure.
Lateefah Ibrahim