The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to complete all inherited road projects, expressing confidence that the remaining major projects awarded by previous administrations will be delivered by December.
Speaking after inspecting the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX II) and the Southern Parkway service carriageways in Abuja, Wike said the administration was determined to end the era of abandoned infrastructure projects in the nation’s capital.
According to the minister, the completion of the Apo-Karshi Road, awarded in 2010, and the 10-kilometre Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX II), awarded in 2014, would mark the fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s directive to complete all inherited projects across the FCT.
“Once we achieve that, we can confidently say that we have fulfilled our promise to complete all inherited projects awarded by previous administrations, whether from 2007, 2011, 2015 or beyond. The hallmark of this administration is completing ongoing projects instead of leaving abandoned projects across the FCT,” Wike said.
He explained that ISEX II remains one of the few major inherited projects yet to be completed, adding that the contractor had assured the government the project could be delivered by December if funds captured in the national budget are released promptly.
Wike disclosed that the FCT Administration had appealed to the Minister of Finance to facilitate the release of funds to enable the contractor meet the completion deadline.
“This project is very important to us because it will significantly transform the landscape of the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
The minister also expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the Southern Parkway service carriageways, noting that the contractor mobilised immediately after the project was inaugurated during the administration’s third anniversary activities.
He said he was optimistic that the project would also be completed before the end of the year, opening up the area for further development.
Wike stressed that abandoning ongoing projects undermines the image of the nation’s capital and slows economic growth, insisting that continuity in governance is essential for sustainable development.
“Leadership requires continuity. Some people assume office and say they will only focus on projects they initiated. That is not leadership. Good leadership is continuing projects that are vital to the development of the city, projects that transform the landscape and improve the economy. That is why people are happy with what is happening in Abuja today,” he said.
The minister assured contractors that the FCT Administration would continue to meet its financial obligations to ensure the timely completion of all ongoing infrastructure projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
