FCT MINISTER INSPECTS STRATEGIC ROAD PROJECTS, VOWS TO COMPLETE ALL INHERITED PROJECTS

By: Rabi Musa Umar and Wisdom Acka

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, today 28 July 2026 carried out an on-the-spot inspection of two strategic road projects in the FCT to assess progress and reaffirm the administration’s commitment to project completion.

The Minister first visited the Inner Southern Expressway ISEX II Road project, a 10-kilometre road with interchanges and bridges first awarded in 2014. He described it as the only major inherited project, aside from Apo-Karshi Road, still outstanding from previous administrations.

According to the Minister, the contractor has assured that with timely funding, the road can be completed by December. He revealed that the project was already captured in the national budget.

“We have appealed to the Minister of Finance because funding for the project is already captured in the national budget. If part of the allocation is released, the contractor will be able to meet the deadline. We will continue discussions with the Minister of Finance to ensure that the necessary funds are released. This project is very important to us because it will significantly transform the landscape of the Federal Capital Territory”, he said.

Also visited was the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway project, from arterial road S20 to Ring Road II, which was flagged off during the third anniversary project commissioning. He noted that the contractor mobilized to site immediately after the ceremony and expressed confidence in the delivery timeline.

“As I have said before, and I believe them, they are committed to handing over this project by December. We will be very happy if that happens because it will open up this entire area for development”, Barr. Wike stated.

Barr Wike, who said that under the renewed Hope Agenda all abandoned projects are being completed, assured that with the December deadline completion of Apo Karshi Road, awarded in 2010, and the ISEX II road, awarded in 2014, the last major inherited project awarded by a previous administration will be delivered by this administration.

“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”, Barr. Wike added.

Speaking on the broader implications, the Minister said abandoned projects damage the image of the nation’s capital and slow development. He credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to complete all inherited projects for the progress being recorded.

“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 stated.

The Minister reiterated that the FCT Administration will meet its financial obligations to contractors to ensure timely delivery of all ongoing projects.