The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, has pledged to deliver the long-abandoned Inner Southern Expressway, also known as Goodluck Jonathan Way, and other ongoing road projects in the territory before the end of December.
Wike made the commitment in Abuja on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the 10-kilometre expressway and the ongoing construction of service lanes along the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District.
The Goodluck Jonathan Way, which was awarded in December 2014, stretches from Southern Parkway to Ring Road II at Galadimawa and includes five bridges. Work on the project stalled for about 12 years.
According to the minister, aside from the Apo-Karshi Road, it is the only project initiated by previous administrations between 2010 and 2023 that has not yet been completed under the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“The contractor has assured us that the remaining six kilometres out of the 10-kilometre stretch will be completed and delivered by the end of December, provided the required funding is made available,_” Wike said.
He described the road as a “critical artery” that would transform the outlook of the FCT once delivered, adding that discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Finance to release funds for its completion.
“We will keep engaging the Minister of Finance to see how we can access the funds and settle the contractor so the project can be concluded. It is extremely important to us and will definitely change the entire landscape of the FCT,_” he stated.
Wike noted that the Apo-Karshi Road, awarded in 2010, is almost ready for commissioning. “_We were there yesterday. It is almost completed,_” he added.
The minister said delivering the pending projects would fulfill President Tinubu’s pledge to complete all inherited projects and avoid leaving abandoned sites across the capital.
“It will be a major achievement for this administration to complete all projects awarded by previous governments so that we don’t have abandoned projects littered everywhere. It is about continuity, and we are pleased with the progress so far,_” Wike said.
He also inspected the construction of two service carriageways on the Southern Parkway, which runs from Arterial Road S20, Oladipo Diya Way, in Gaduwa District to Ring Road II.
The Southern Parkway is one of the key transport corridors within Abuja’s southern axis, connecting several densely populated residential areas across Phases I to IV of the Federal Capital City.
“This road was flagged off during the commissioning of projects to mark Tinubu’s third year in office. We had to come and assess the level of work. The contractor has promised to hand it over by the end of December, and I believe them,_” he said.
On political developments, Wike responded to the recent statement by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who declared his return to the Renewed Hope political camp and pledged support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The FCT Minister said there was nothing wrong with the governor’s decision.
“_There is no sin in politics. If someone realises he took the wrong path and decides to correct it, that is commendable. What matters is acknowledging the mistake and making the right choice,_” he said.
Wike added that he has welcomed Fubara back into the fold, stressing that the governor had “no alternative” but to return to the political structure that facilitated his emergence.
“As I said during my last media chat, he had no other option but to return to the same political family that brought him to power. His public alignment with our camp is a step in the right direction and will further strengthen support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections,_” Wike concluded.
Report By: NEWS CENTURY TV
