Wike flags off Karu road project, says hope has returned to people

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has flagged off the reconstruction and dualisation of the Karu road, declaring that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is bringing back confidence and development to residents of the area.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Wike assured the people of Karu that the project would transform their environment, improve businesses, and restore their long-awaited hope.

“That is why the essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda is to bring back hope to the people. And I know that the people of Karu, hope has come back to you,” he said.

The Minister thanked residents for turning out in large numbers, urging them to hold leaders accountable and demand fulfilment of promises.

“Remember, I said before, that it’s important that when you have elected people, and when the people you have elected have made promises, they owe you that duty to fulfil the promises they have made. And therefore, you have to hold us accountable,” he noted.

Wike dismissed the categorisation of Karu as a satellite town, insisting it is a city whose poor roads had limited its recognition.

He recalled that the administration had recently flagged off the provision of water from Karu to Orozo and Karshi, which is expected to be inaugurated in June 2026.

The Minister praised the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, for persistently demanding the rehabilitation of the Karu road.

“He has always been on my neck. He has always told me, sir, even though you have done the road to Karshi, it is unfair, as the chairman of AMAC, this Karu road is very, very seriously consigned to us. Do me that favour, sir, under emergency, to reconstruct and dualise this Karu road.” He said

Wike announced that in addition to the Karu road dualisation, several adjoining roads would also be rebuilt.

These include Custom Clinic Junction to CBN Quarters Junction, Custom Clinic Junction to EFCC, NIA Quarters Road, Karshi Road, and Primus Hospital Road.

“Karu environment will change here. And we are not just doing this road. They will all have street lights,” he added.

He assured residents that the contractor, Abdul Val Nigeria Limited, would complete the project within 10 months, and also urged the community to take ownership of the project and protect it.

“Try as much as you can to involve our youth, to involve the community, to give them some supplies to survive. Try to protect the project because you are the one, at the end of the day, that will benefit,” he said.

Speaking further, the Minister also commended Abdul Val Nigeria Limited for its successful delivery of previous projects, including a 16-kilometre dual carriageway completed in Bwari within 10 months.

This is as he cautioned against delays, stressing that payments had already been released and work must continue even during the rainy season.

Also speaking, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, stressed the importance of the project to the residents of Karu and its environs.

She emphasized that the project would significantly contribute to the decongestion of traffic linking Karu with other parts of Abuja, adding that it would ensure smoother movement for commuters and goods.

While thanking President Bola Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda for life-transforming infrastructural projects.

Mahmoud also appreciated the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike whose pragmatic leadership and commitment to road infrastructure have given the FCT a new face of progress and modernization.

On his part, the Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, described the project as a catalyst for economic growth and improved mobility in Karu. “This is highly significant, as it will serve as catalyst to improve the socio-economic well-being of the inhabitants of Karu site and its environs, as well as other road users,” he said.

He explained that the scope of the 5.4-kilometre dual carriageway includes site clearance, earthworks, culverts, line drains, walkways, lateritic and stone base layers, asphaltic binder and wearing courses, and the installation of solar-powered streetlights.

Zulkiflu pledged the commitment of the STDD to ensure timely delivery, noting that the project was in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would complement the Nyanya-Karshi road for smooth traffic flow in the axis.

Residents, political leaders and stakeholders present at the flag-off hailed the development as a long-awaited intervention that would change the face of Karu and open new economic opportunities for the community.