Abuja@ 50: Wike inspects projects, promises May, August delivery
As the Federal Capital Territory marked its golden jubilee on February 3, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, carried out an on-the-spot assessment of major infrastructure projects across the city, using the anniversary to take stock of ongoing development rather than focus on elaborate celebrations.
The Minister assured residents that key road projects would be completed by May and August 2026, even as construction activities formally commenced at the Wasa informal sector, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to timely delivery of critical infrastructure. The inspection tour took the Minister to key project sites across the city being handled by the Chinese Geoengineering Construction (CGC), including the Arterial Road N16 in Katampe District, sections of the Outer Southern Expressway, OSEX, stretching from Ring Road I to Ring Road II, as well as the access road leading to the Wasa informal sector.
After the tour, Wike told journalists that he was satisfied with the standard of work and progress recorded so far, revealing that both the OSEX and N16, popularly known as the Gishiri road, are scheduled for completion in time for President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office in May 2026. He further disclosed that the three-kilometre access road and associated engineering works at the Wasa informal sector would be delivered by August 2026, a development expected to smooth the planned relocation of traders from the Apo mechanic village to the new site.
Wike said the projects, all being executed by CGC, showed clear signs of steady progress, particularly on bridge works and road infrastructure, adding that the administration remained confident in meeting its timelines as it prioritises tangible results over elaborate anniversary celebrations.
“We went to Gishiri Village area in Katampe which we believe is one of the roads that will be inaugurated in the third year of Mr. President’s anniversary. And then we went to OSEX, you can see the bridges are going on and then we went to access road network for the informal sector in Wasa District, where the Apo traders will move in. The CGC is the one handling the three major jobs and we are quite impressed.
“The Wasa access road will be completed by August, while the OSEX area will be done as part of the third-year anniversary in May. I’m quite impressed with the quality of job that is being carried out by CGC. So, we are happy with what we are doing.
Reflecting on the 50-year journey of the FCT, Barr. Wike noted that while the achievement is massive, the administration intends to observe a low-key celebration of the milestone with a focus on results rather than pageantry.
“You know a lot has changed in terms of the provision of infrastructure…We are 50 years, we’ve done well but we want to mark it on a low key. It’s a jubilee year for us. Mr. President is two years plus in office and he has changed the landscape of Abuja. We are also following the Abuja masterplan and I think we have really done well in terms of the provision of infrastructure”, the Minister stated.
The Minister who also addressed the recent industrial action by the FCTA workers’ union (JUAC), confirmed that the scheduled strike was called off, following a successful meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the union’s leadership.
He emphasized that the resolution was a product of transparency, noting that once the Labour Congress saw things for themselves, it became clear that the administration and workers shared the same goals. “At the end of the day, there is no winner or loser,” the Minister said. “It is for the interest of all and Abuja to progress. I’m happy the Labour Congress directed them to go back to work, and as you can see, that has been done”, he said.
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