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Kubwa-Bwari road work begins
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, announced the termination of the Apo-Karshi road contract previously awarded to Kakatar Construction, re-awarding it to SCC under emergency procurement as work commences to ease traffic congestion.
During inspections of ongoing projects including the Karu-Custom-CBN road, Gishiri-Katampe road, and Apo-Wasa carriageway, Wike emphasised prioritising public welfare over politics. He also confirmed the Kubwa-Bwari road award to SCC, with construction underway to provide an alternative route.
On the Apo-Karshi revocation, Wike confirmed swift action. “Let me tell you the truth, we have terminated that contract; it has been re-awarded to SCC. If you go there now, you’ll see that they’ve started work. It’s a road that so many people are very interested in because it will decongest some of these areas,” he said. “So that’s why we should do it, and like I said, we cannot continue to play politics when it comes to the welfare of the people. That road has been terminated.”
Wike highlighted the enthusiastic reception from residents during the tours, linking it to effective governance under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “Well, I have always said, what makes the government feel relaxed is when the people are happy. Of course, the very essence of governance is to make people be happy and make them have what improves their lives,” he told journalists. He praised progress on the Karu road, noting it as a flagship project for the President’s third anniversary commissioning, alongside Gishiri-Katampe by CGC and Apo-Wasa in Osex. “When we went to Karu, you remember the first time we went to Karu to flag off, it was one road. And there, I made a promise that all the other connecting roads would be included. I am very happy to report the progress on the job. The contractor is doing very well.”
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Residents, including students and pupils, showed visible joy, underscoring unprecedented development in Abuja. “So, you can see the happiness of everybody. And that’s what shows that the Renewed Hope Agenda is really working. People had never seen this type of development in Abuja before,” Wike stated. The Apo-Wasa extension to Osex is also slated for inauguration in the President’s third year.
Addressing a shop owner affected by Karu road works blocking a water channel, Wike balanced empathy with public interest, promising compensation despite the violation. “You cannot do something to block the water channels, and we are even sympathetic by saying that we were going to give you money, but we must allow the water to have its way, because if not, it will cause a lot of flooding,” he explained. He said “tears and emotion cannot override public interest”. The demolitions ensure flood prevention, with projects aligned for presidential commissioning.
Looking ahead, Wike outlined 2026 priorities on completing 2025 projects amid a political year. “We’re also doing in terms of education. We have started procurement around all our health centres. So next year, we believe that what you see in 2025 will be nothing to compare to what we’ll see in 2026… We want to make sure that the projects we have started this year will be completed in 2026.”
