ABUJA INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BOOST NIGERIA’S COMMONWEALTH GAMES HOSTING BID

By: Wisdom Acka

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has said that Abuja’s world-class infrastructure will boost Nigeria’s chances of winning the bid to host the next Commonwealth Games.

Wike made this declaration while flagging off the access arterial road S1, which traverses Ring Road 2 to the FCT Fire Station in Kaura District on 30th September 2025.

His words: “I hope you are aware that Nigeria is bidding to host the next Commonwealth Games. And it will be difficult for us to achieve that if we don’t have a good network of roads.

“When the committee comes and they see that the basic infrastructure is being provided, that gives us a leeway to be given the hosting right of the Commonwealth Games.

“So all these linkages, all these networks of roads, are also geared to showcase to the world that we have a city that can host the next Commonwealth Games.”

The Minister said that the access road will also help the nearby Fire Service Station in cases of emergency, stressing: “We have always talked about fire incidents, and the response is not usually timely.

“But we don’t ask ourselves—it’s not only the fact that they may be lacking some basic amenities, but also they don’t have a good network of roads that will enable them to move down and ensure that the fire incident is resolved.” He expressed optimism that, when completed, the road network will enable them to respond timely.

He also reassured that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu will ensure that Abuja becomes a different place capable of competing with other cities worldwide by the end of his first tenure.

The Minister expressed confidence in the contractor’s capacity to deliver the job with the highest quality and speed, urging them to provide employment opportunities to youths within the community to improve their livelihood.

He commended security agencies for ensuring safety in the FCT and thanked the Area Council Chairmen for their necessary support.

Wike, however, noted: “The only people that have not benefited so much is Abaji Area Council, but their own is going to be better. He who takes last takes the best,” he pledged.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, in a vote of thanks, echoed the FCT’s commitment, stressing that President Tinubu’s administration has “continued to inspire projects that improve infrastructure, connectivity, and the overall living standards of residents in the nation’s capital city.”

She further stated that the project would enhance accessibility within the district and make it easier for residents and businesses to connect with the city’s major road networks.

Dr. Mahmoud added: “It will also improve response time and operational efficiency of the FCT Fire Station located in the area, thereby strengthening public safety and disaster management.

“The project will also open up Kaura District further for socio-economic development, boosting property values, investment, and the quality of life for residents.”

Providing an overview of the project, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Dauda, stated that the project is part of the FCTA’s determination to provide critical infrastructure in the nation’s capital.

According to him, it would also open the district for development and reduce response time to fire outbreaks within the city.

He also stated that the project aligns with the FCTA’s broader objective of providing essential infrastructure in the city.

Engr. Dauda revealed that the project was awarded in March and is expected to be completed within 24 months.