WIKE INSPECTS MORE ROAD PROJECTS, ORDERS IMMEDIATE DEMOLITION OF OVER 30 BUILDINGS ON RING ROAD 3 CORRIDOR
By: Wisdom Acka
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, 19 August, 2026, ordered the immediate demolition of about 30 buildings encroaching on the Right of Way along the Ring Road 3 corridor linking Karsana District, Gwarinpa District, and the Kubwa axis of Abuja.
Wike issued the directive during an on-the-spot inspection tour to assess the progress of ongoing road infrastructure projects across the Territory.
The demolition order followed a technical briefing by the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Dauda, who alerted the Minister of illegal structures standing directly on the infrastructure path.
Engr. Dauda explained that foundational bridge works were progressing smoothly despite rocky terrain challenges, but disclosed that about 30 buildings had encroached on the master plan layout designated for Ring Road 3, which connects up to Airport Road.
Visibly displeased, the Minister immediately summoned officials from the Department of Development Control to take swift action, reiterating that no private structure would be allowed to obstruct critical public infrastructure or distort the Abuja Master Plan.
Expressing general satisfaction with the execution of the ongoing project, Wike commended the contractors -including China Construction Engineering Design and Research Institute Corp. Ltd (CCC), Lubrik Construction Company, and Danemiki -for their performance on critical routes, including the Mpape bypass cut where land reclamation efforts addressed severe gully erosion.
The Minister expressed optimism that the projects would deliver a major infrastructure turnaround for the capital before the end of the year.
Addressing security concerns raised regarding reports of late-night armed robbery between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM in parts of the FCT, the Minister dismissed claims of an escalation in violent crime.
He emphasized that official security reports from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) do not support assertions of widespread crime spikes, noting that security agencies remain vigilant and actively on top of isolated criminal incidents.
In response to political comments made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the restoration of fuel subsidy, Wike strongly criticized the opposition figure’s policy inconsistency, calling him a “voodoo economist” and maintaining that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the sole leading political candidate in the country.
The Minister argued that the removal of the fuel subsidy under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) freed up essential revenues now being shared across federal, state, and local government tiers, which has resolved persistent issues like unpaid worker salaries and pensions nationwide.
Reacting to public complaints about the perceived inactivity of the FCT Area Council Chairmen compared to the FCTA’s rapid pace of development, Wike reminded residents that the local council leaders are democratically elected officials rather than presidential appointees.
Drawing from his own past experience as a former council chairman, he urged residents to directly hold their respective local chairmen accountable for municipal development rather than relying on generalized complaints.
Apart from the Arterial Road N16 project the Minister also inspected the newly awarded Kaba-Zaudna Kagini Road.
