WIKE ELATED AS KEY PROJECTS NEAR COMPLETION
By: Wisdom Acka
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, was in high spirits as he announced that a series of critical projects are on the verge of completion across the nation’s capital.
The Minister expressed his delight and satisfaction with the pace of ongoing infrastructure projects across the Territory while speaking with journalists during a tour of projects on Monday, 11 May, 2026.
He stated that several of the projects scheduled for inauguration during President Bola Tinubu’s third-anniversary celebrations were nearing completion.
According to him, contractors handling key road projects had assured the administration that outstanding works, including streetlights, would be completed before the end of May.
“We are very happy. They promised that before the end of the month, they will finish the streetlights, and that is being handled by Lubrik,” he said.
Wike disclosed that the N5 expressway, which traverses Life Camp by Kado Fish Market, Karmo, and Dei-dei, was progressing steadily, while the access road into the Renewed Hope Estate has been completed, awaiting the installation of streetlights.
“That road is already completed, and the contractor, CCECC, has promised that within the next 10 days, they will complete the streetlights. We are very comfortable and happy,” he stated.
The Minister also expressed satisfaction with progress on another major project -the Tungan Madaki road -saying its first phase, along with a major bridge is almost completed, with the bridge already launched while connecting roads were under construction.
“You can also see that it is almost completed. The bridge has been launched, and they have started the connection that will direct traffic from here to Zuba. It is a wonderful thing. We are happy,” he added.
The Minister was also optimistic that the same pace and quality of work would be applied to the portion he recently awarded to be extended to Zuba.
Wike described the projects as evidence of President Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to infrastructural development in the FCT.
“Part of these projects fixed by Mr. President will be inaugurated. Quality jobs done by very good contractors. We are happy. The excellence is there,” he said.
Reacting to complaints over alleged harassment by officials of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) during tax enforcement operations, the Minister noted that tax compliance remained a challenge among many residents.
“There must be a civilised way of collecting taxes, but knowing our taxpayers, people don’t like to pay tax. When tax collectors come, they find one excuse or the other,” Wike said.
He, however, noted that no formal complaint had been lodged with the FCT Administration against AMAC officials.
Responding to a question on the politics of Rivers State and 2027, the Minister explained that the emerging “rainbow coalition” in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections would shape its political strategy around areas where it commands electoral strength.
“That is the essence of the rainbow coalition in Rivers State. We’ll look at where we have strength, compare notes, and vote accordingly,” he said.
The Minister also dismissed attempts to associate him with the issues surrounding the screening of aspirants in Rivers State by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he had no role in the process.
“I’m not a member of the APC, so I don’t know what is happening in their screening. Even if they publish the results, why would I comment? I don’t know the reasons they have,” Wike stated.
He maintained that he would not speculate on matters outside his political constituency. “What pertains to me is what I will talk about, not what does not concern me. I’m not a native doctor, neither am I a prophet,” he added.
