Wike warns AMAC Chair against selling Abuja street names to moneybags

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has warned the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) against the illegal sale of street names to wealthy individuals, describing the practice as “shameful” and unacceptable.

Wike issued the warning on Wednesday at the flag-off of engineering infrastructure works in Guzape A09 Lots I and II Districts and the AIT Neighbourhood in Asokoro A04 District, Abuja.

“We cannot be doing roads, putting in infrastructure, and then you wake up in the morning to name the streets of the roads we are constructing because somebody paid you ₦2 million,” Wike said.

“You wake up and before I know it, it’s Dr. so-so Street, Professor so-so Street, Bishop so-so Street, or Madam so-so Street. Better go and refund them their money.”

The minister stressed that only individuals who have contributed meaningfully to the growth of Abuja or Nigeria deserve to have streets named after them.

“You can go and name them in the satellite towns. But in the city, the government must know who you are naming the street after. From today, I won’t forgive such acts again,” he warned.

Wike directed AMAC authorities to ensure that anyone who had already paid money for a street name must also contribute to infrastructure development.

“If there are people who have paid you money, make sure you do the roads too. Provide infrastructure and name the street after them,” he said.
Turning to the ongoing projects, Wike praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising neglected districts like Guzape and Asokoro under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Those who have been living here for years without roads can now see the impact of Tinubu’s administration. It is the intention of Mr. President to ensure every part of Abuja has the road network that makes it a true capital city,” he said.

He also urged residents to cooperate with contractors, cautioning that delays would result in cost variations that burden government finances.

“Contractors like to delay jobs so there’ll be variation. They are not the ones losing; it is us. Support them to complete these roads on time so that our people will benefit,” he said.

Commending construction firm Dantata and Sawoe for its reliability and use of local expertise, Wike expressed confidence in timely delivery. “I have that confidence in you that you will deliver on time. Please use your experience to complete these jobs so that our people will benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The minister further charged FCT secretaries and area council officials to document and publicise their achievements.

“Let Nigerians see what we’ve done, school by school, council by council. It’s no longer 3D jobs; seeing is believing. If you don’t perform, someone else will take your job,” he said.

Calling for accountability and legacy-driven service, Wike added: “Anywhere you are, make a name for yourself. If you’re in education, health, or transport, let people say that while you were there, you made an impact. There will be no excuses for failure.”