The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday in Abuja assured residents that the Federal Capital Territory would witness a major transformation before the end of President Bola Tinubu’s first term in office.
He made the declaration during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the Southern Parkway service carriageways in Gaduwa District, saying the administration remained focused on delivering key infrastructure projects across the city.
The project was officially inaugurated by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who attended on behalf of the President. Speaking at the event, Wike said ongoing projects would continue regardless of political activities ahead of the 2027 elections. According to him, the administration would not allow election preparations to slow down development efforts in the nation’s capital.
He explained that the FCT Administration had spent several days commissioning completed projects and was now moving ahead with new ones. Wike said some people had expressed concerns that project execution might be delayed because of the coming elections, but he maintained that the administration remained committed to carrying out the President’s directive to improve infrastructure and modernize Abuja.
The minister disclosed that he personally contacted officials of CGC Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project, to discuss the completion timeline. He said the company assured him that it was prepared to work continuously to meet the target date as long as the government fulfilled its financial obligations. Wike pledged that the FCT Administration would continue to release funds for completed work and support the contractor throughout the construction period.
He expressed confidence that the Southern Parkway service carriageways would be completed and ready for commissioning before the January 2027 elections. According to him, the project is among the important developments planned for Abuja and would contribute to the administration’s broader goal of improving infrastructure across the territory.
Wike also used the occasion to issue a warning to individuals occupying or developing lands without proper approval. He said the administration had noticed cases where people moved into project areas with questionable documents and started building structures on lands not legally allocated to them. He insisted that such actions would not be tolerated.
The minister directed relevant departments within the FCT Administration, including the Development Control Department and the Department of Lands, to identify illegal developments along the project route. He said any structure found to be violating land regulations would be removed as part of efforts to protect the Abuja Master Plan and ensure orderly development within the capital.
According to him, illegal land occupation remains one of the challenges affecting urban planning in Abuja, and the administration is determined to address the problem. He maintained that strict enforcement of land regulations would continue as government projects expand across different districts.
The Southern Parkway service carriageways project is expected to improve transportation within Abuja’s Southern Development Corridor. The road network will help ease traffic movement, improve access to growing residential and commercial areas, and support ongoing urban expansion in the Federal Capital Territory.
The ceremony attracted government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, community representatives and officials of CGC Nigeria Limited, who gathered to witness the commencement of the project. Wike reiterated that the administration’s focus remains on delivering projects that improve the lives of residents and strengthen infrastructure across Abuja before the end of President Tinubu’s first term.