The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that political activities in Abuja, including the approaching Area Council Elections scheduled for February 21, will not interfere with the pace of development projects across the capital.
Wike gave the assurance on Wednesday while inspecting several ongoing infrastructure projects in the FCT, insisting that governance and service delivery would continue irrespective of political timelines.
According to him, the responsibility of the government is to remain focused on the welfare of residents.
“Politics is different. You have to serve the people. Politics has its own time, and the work will continue to go on. Politics is not going to affect it,” he said during the inspection tour.
The minister explained that sustained execution of projects was central to proving the sincerity of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that visible results were what mattered most to citizens.
“The only way to make sure that people will be happy and see that the Renewed Hope Agenda is real is to continue with the work,” Wike said.
One of the projects inspected was the Institutional Research Road, which links Nile University, the Body of Benchers and other institutions, and serves as an alternative route to the older road leading to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission headquarters. Wike described the road as a strategic artery expected to bear significant traffic once completed.
“The work done there is very encouraging. By the end of May, the contractor will hand over the project, and it is one of those lined up for inauguration during Mr President’s third year in office,” he said.
The inspection also took the minister to the Body of Benchers extension building, where he disclosed that construction was nearing completion, with about 80 per cent of the work already done and only landscaping outstanding.
Wike later visited an extensive road corridor running from Euclid Road through Bright Road to Tungan Madaki, a stretch of about seven kilometres. He highlighted key structures along the route, including a large conference hall and a major bridge with four spans, describing the project as transformative for communities that had long lacked adequate infrastructure.
“You can imagine what these areas have suffered over the years. It is unimaginable. But we thank God that we now have the opportunity to open them up,” he said.
The minister said the scope of the project was expanded after consultations with local residents, who requested that compensation for affected crops should be complemented with proper road access to the city.
“They asked that if we were paying compensation, they should also be linked to the city. That is what we are doing today a promise made, a promise fulfilled,” Wike stated.
He added that contractors handling the road projects had assured the FCT Administration that major works would be completed between the end of May and early June, stressing that regular inspections would continue to ensure quality standards and timely delivery.
On Tuesday, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of ongoing road and infrastructure projects across Abuja, following an inspection of several key sites.
The tour began at the Gishiri village of Katampe District. The inspection team also visited the Outer Southern Expressway, also known as Ring Road I, where bridge construction is ongoing, before proceeding to the Apo-Wassa axis to assess the road network designated for Apo traders.
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