Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike on Thursday announced in Abuja that the long-awaited relocation of Apo Mechanics and traders to Wassa has finally moved beyond planning stage under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He made this known after inspecting several ongoing projects across the capital city, including the Wassa informal sector roads, the CN2 Road in Katampe, the OSEX Main Carriageways and the Gaduwa Road project.Wike said previous administrations had struggled for years to relocate mechanics and traders from Apo without success, but the current government had now taken practical steps to complete the process.
According to him, the relocation project had become one of the fulfilled promises of the administration after years of delay and uncertainty.The minister explained that construction work inside the Wassa informal sector site was nearing completion.
He stated that workers would soon begin installing solar-powered streetlights and water facilities to improve business operations and living conditions within the area. He added that the new environment would provide artisans and traders with better infrastructure to support their activities.
He also stated that the project would help the Federal Capital Territory increase its Internally Generated Revenue through business growth and other economic activities expected to spring up in the area.
According to him, the government had already provided major infrastructure, leaving business owners and traders to move in and establish their operations.During the inspection of the OSEX Main Carriageway project, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, especially after discovering that a major bridge had already been completed earlier than expected.
He said he was surprised by the speed of construction because the contractors had earlier projected a longer completion period.Following the inspection, the minister directed the extension of the OSEX II road project to Wassa Junction, covering about 10 kilometres.
He explained that the extension would improve movement within the area and make transportation easier for residents and businesses.At the Road CN2 project near Gishiri, Wike praised the quality of construction work and noted that contractors had already started installing streetlights and walkways.
He added that most of the projects inspected were close to completion and met the expected standard.The minister also defended the land allocation policy of the FCT Administration. He said allocations given to investors, diplomats and media organisations followed government procedures meant to support development and investment in the capital city.
According to him, some media organisations currently criticising the government had also benefited from land allocations in the past.Wike maintained that the FCT Administration does not sell land outright but allocates it to individuals and organisations willing to develop the land within agreed conditions and timelines.
He warned that any allocated land left undeveloped for years could be taken back by the government for reassignment to other investors ready to carry out projects.