As the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) prepares to commission completed infrastructure projects in Abuja this week, the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, led a delegation of FCDA engineers, reporters and Contractors on a final inspection tour across several project sites on Monday, 9th June,2025.
Speaking after the inspection, the Minister expressed immense joy and gratitude to Almighty God for granting him the health, strength, and capacity to superintend over the delivery of these vital projects.
He also extended deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support and commitment to the development of the FCT under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are highly elated. First, we thank God Almighty for His grace. At a time when people say things are difficult, we have delivered critical infrastructure to the people. This is one of the happiest moments of my life”;, Wike said.
The Minister noted that the successful completion of the projects is a testament to the importance of visionary leadership, clear goals, and firm commitment.
“Once you are focused on your objectives and committed to them, results will follow. It is not about having all the resources in the world, but the ability to manage what you have wisely, and politically, that’s what makes the difference”;.
He acknowledged the inherent challenges of bureaucracy but emphasized the importance of clear direction.
“You talk about bureaucracy, of course it’s a problem, but again, when you sit down with people and you let them know that this is what you want to achieve and you are not going to accept anything less than that, they will key in”;, the Minister stated.
The tour included inspection of the International Conference Centre, now renovated to world-class standards, Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) completed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, as well as the Arterial Road N16, from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway to the Wole Soyinka Way and the 15km OSEX II, connecting Apo and Wasa districts, executed by CGC.
Barrister Wike commended all contractors for keeping to their promises and delivering within the stipulated standards.
“We have personally supervised these projects to ensure compliance and quality. I can confirm that all contractors have done what they were contracted to do”;.
On the management of ICC, the Minister announced that the newly developed event centre will be maintained by the same construction company that delivered it. “It will not be handed over to any politician or third party. Maintenance is a major issue in this country, and this time, it will not be business as usual. Anyone who wants to use the facility will pay, and that money will be used strictly for its upkeep and pay Julius Berger”;, he said.
He also emphasized that local staff have been trained to manage the technology and operations of the new facilities. “The people working there are Nigerians. There is nothing too difficult in the technology. What matters is capacity-building and supervision”;, he added.
The Minister assured residents that operations will commence immediately after the official commissioning this week.
