Wike: Tungan Madaki-Zuba Road, 9 Others Ready Before 2027 Polls

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that at least 10 major road and infrastructure projects in Abuja will be completed and ready for commissioning before the 2027 general elections.

Wike gave the assurance on Wednesday during an inspection of the ongoing Tungan Madaki-Zuba Road and Nile University-RR3 Road projects, saying the contractors handling them had demonstrated the capacity, equipment and commitment required to meet their delivery timelines.

The minister said the inspection was part of efforts to assess the progress of projects flagged off during the FCT Administration’s third anniversary and determine whether the contractors would meet their commitments ahead of the planned commissioning.

At the Tungan Madaki-Zuba Road project, Wike disclosed that five of the six box culverts had been completed, describing the pace of work as commendable.

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 capacity. So, they’ve been tested before now, so I have so much confidence in them,” Wike said.

The minister commended CGC for its commitment, noting that the company had demonstrated willingness to support the development of the FCT.

Wike also disclosed that the projects were capital-intensive and that contractors had yet to receive up to 30 per cent mobilisation, but had continued to execute the projects.

He assured the contractors that the FCT Administration would meet its financial obligations to ensure timely completion.

“On our part, we will not take it for granted that they are committed to the realization of the project. We will do our own part to pay them their money,” he said.

According to Wike, the administration plans to have at least 10 major projects completed and lined up for commissioning before the 2027 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.

Wike also said the FCT Administration had intensified efforts to tackle flooding by removing structures obstructing waterways across Abuja.

He said the ongoing demolition exercise, which commenced in Maitama on Tuesday, would be extended to other areas affected by blocked waterways.

“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 on designated green areas.

He ordered the immediate removal of car dealerships operating on such spaces, insisting that green areas must 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.”

The minister maintained that the decision would not be reversed, regardless of the individuals or businesses affected.

He said the removal of structures erected on waterways would 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, Wike challenged critics questioning the exercise to explain whether the construction of buildings on water channels followed due process.

“What is due process? What is due process? You went to block a water channel, is that due process?” he asked.

The minister maintained that the FCT Administration was enforcing planning and environmental regulations in line with its responsibility to protect public infrastructure and communities.

Wike vowed that the enforcement exercise would continue until structures obstructing drainage channels and other public infrastructure were removed.