WIKE INSPECTS THREE MAJOR PROJECTS, ASSURES OF TIMELY DELIVERY, REPLIES BALA MOHAMMED
By: Wisdom Acka
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, April 1st 2026, inspected three major infrastructure projects in the nation’s capital, expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work while vowing to ensure contractors deliver by the May deadline.
The projects inspected include the interchange connecting Jahi District and Gwarinpa, being handled by CBC Global, expansion of the Airport Road-Kuje Junction, handled by Arab Contractors, as well as the first section of the Kuje-Gwagwalada dual carriage way, by Gilmore Construction.
Wike, who was accompanied by engineers and FCT officials, stated that the contractors had assured him of completion by the end of May, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s third-year inauguration pledge.
“We believe, like they have always said, they will hand it over to us by the end of May,” Wike said, praising CBC Global’s progress at the interchange.
At the Airport-Kuje axis, he noted that Arab Contractors had successfully launched the first beam and was preparing for the second, while Gilmore’s work on the Kuje-Gwagwalada stretch was quite impressive.
The Minister, however, warned of continuous oversight, saying: “We will be coming every one or two weeks to put the heat on them. They must know we are serious.”
Responding to reports of a temporary bridge disruption on the Kuje-Gwagwalada road, Wike commended Gilmore for promptly providing an alternative route. “When citizens are happy, we are happy. Good contractors prioritize public convenience,” he remarked, acknowledging community appreciation for the swift intervention.
The inspection took a political turn when Wike addressed recent comments by Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, who accused him of being “planted in the PDP to destroy the party.”
Wike dismissed the allegation as “embarrassing,” revealing that Mohammed had secretly lobbied President Tinubu for APC support after failing to secure a PDP consensus for his successor.
“He went to Mr. President three times to negotiate but was rejected. Now he claims I’m the problem? The same man who begged me to work for Tinubu in 2023 is now with Atiku. What kind of character is that?” Wike quarried, accusing Mohammed of political instability.
He further disclosed that Mohammed had sought concessions, including the PDP secretary position, after losing internal party control. “We obey court orders, unlike those who disregard judgments,” he said, referencing the PDP’s legal battles.
Wike, however, expressed optimism about the PDP’s prospects, citing the recent convention as proof of the party’s resilience. “The outcome showed PDP is alive. We’ll resolve our hiccups and emerge stronger for 2027,” he declared.
When asked if he had “set fire” to Bauchi politics as earlier threatened, Wike retorted: “Hasn’t he lost already? We’ll see who’s bigger in this game.”
