The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says at least 10 major road and infrastructure projects in Abuja are expected to be completed and ready for commissioning before the 2027 general elections.
Wike stated this on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing Tungan Madaki-Zuba Road and Nile University-RR3 Road projects.
He said the inspection was part of efforts to assess the progress of projects initiated during the FCT Administration’s third anniversary and determine whether contractors were on track to meet agreed delivery timelines.
At the Tungan Madaki-Zuba Road project, Wike said five of the six box culverts had been completed, describing the pace of work as satisfactory.
He said the contractor, China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC), had assured the administration that the project would be completed and handed over by December.
“They have the capacity. I mean, they are not a new company. They have the capacity; they have the equipment. What’s important is if you have the equipment, and they have the equipment as part of the capacity. So, they’ve been tested before now, so I have so much confidence in them,” Wike said.
The minister said CGC had demonstrated commitment to the project and expressed confidence that the contractor would meet the agreed deadline.
He also disclosed that the projects were capital-intensive and that some contractors had not received up to 30 per cent of their mobilisation payments but had continued with construction work.
Wike assured the contractors that the FCT Administration would meet its financial obligations to facilitate timely completion of the projects.
“On our part, we will not take it for granted that they are committed to the realisation of the project. We will do our own part to pay them their money,” he said.
According to him, the administration expects to have at least 10 major projects completed and ready for commissioning before the 2027 general elections.
“We are also visiting some other two projects tomorrow, believing that by the end of the year, we would have had up to 10 projects, as promised, lined up for commissioning before the general election,” he said.
Flood Control
Wike also said the FCT Administration had intensified efforts to address flooding by removing structures obstructing waterways across Abuja.
He said the ongoing demolition exercise, which began in Maitama on Tuesday, would be extended to other areas where waterways had been blocked.
“We’ve just started somewhere. After that, we will move to another area. We are not going to end just with what we started yesterday,” he said.
The minister further disclosed that the Director of Development Control was being queried over approvals allegedly granted to car dealers to operate in designated green areas.
He directed the immediate removal of car dealerships operating in such spaces, stressing that green areas should be preserved for recreational and environmental purposes.
“This morning, the Director of Development Control is being queried now for giving approval to car dealers to use green areas for the sale of cars,” Wike said.
“I’ve already stopped it, and I’ve set up a task force to make sure that every car dealer is moved out of the green areas. If you want to sell your car, you go and purchase somewhere or rent somewhere and then develop it.”
Wike said the decision would not be reversed, irrespective of the individuals or businesses affected.
He explained that removing structures erected on waterways would help restore the free flow of stormwater and reduce the risk of flooding in affected communities.
Reacting to criticism on social media over the demolition of structures obstructing waterways, the minister questioned whether buildings constructed on water channels could be considered compliant with planning regulations.
“What is due process? You went to block a water channel; is that due process?” he asked.
Wike said the FCT Administration was enforcing planning and environmental regulations as part of its responsibility to protect public infrastructure and communities.
He added that the enforcement exercise would continue until structures obstructing drainage channels and other public infrastructure were removed.
