Wike vows to transform Abuja’s landscape before end of Tinubu’s first term

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, declared that the landscape of Abuja would be completely transformed before the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term in office, insisting that ongoing infrastructure projects would not be abandoned because of the approaching election season.

Wike made the vow at the official flag-off of the construction of the Southern Parkway service carriageways in Gaduwa District, Abuja, where he reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to sustaining the ongoing infrastructure revolution across the nation’s capital.

The project was flagged off by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

“Let me say clearly, by the time Mr. President finishes his first tenure on May 29, 2027, before he is sworn in as President for a second tenure, the landscape of Abuja would have entirely changed, to the glory of God,” the minister said.

Addressing concerns that the administration might slow down project execution ahead of the 2027 general election, Wike dismissed such fears, stressing that development of the FCT would continue unabated.

“Today is our 10th day of commissioning projects, but today was specifically selected because so many people have been asking questions: ‘Are you saying that after commissioning all these projects, now that we are going into elections, projects will be abandoned?’ We said no. Elections or no elections, we must continue to do that which Mr. President has directed to make sure that we change the landscape of the Federal Capital Territory,” Wike stated.

The minister disclosed that he personally contacted the management of CGC Nigeria Limited on Monday night to ascertain the timeline for completing the Southern Parkway project.

Wike said the contractor assured him of his readiness to work round the clock to deliver the project within schedule, provided the FCT Administration fulfils its financial obligations.

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Wike expressed confidence that the project would be completed and commissioned before the January 2027 elections.

The minister further vowed to intensify the crackdown on land grabbers and individuals developing lands without valid allocations, describing the trend as a major threat to the Abuja Master Plan.

He added: “All these land grabbers who have started developing lands that were not allocated to them should know that those structures will go down. Heaven will not fall. Heaven will be at peace when things are done properly.

“We have discovered that whenever government wants to execute projects, some people rush to such locations with forged documents and begin illegal developments. It will not work.”

Wike directed the Development Control Department and the Department of Lands to identify and remove all illegal structures along the project corridor.

“Tell the Acting Director of Development Control to liaise with the Director of Lands and ensure that anybody who has started building on land not legally allocated should stop. It is in vain. We will bring such structures down,” Wike said.

The Southern Parkway service carriageways project is expected to improve connectivity within Abuja’s Southern Development Corridor, reduce traffic congestion, and support the rapid expansion of residential and commercial districts within the FCT.