By Stanley Onyekwere
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has sent a clear message to construction firms handling projects across the capital that quality and punctuality are non-negotiable.
During a high-stakes inspection of ongoing road projects on Wednesday, the Minister signaled a shift toward rewarding performance, highlighting specific contractors who have met the administration’s rigorous standards for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s upcoming third-year anniversary.
The Minister used the tour to showcase a “best-of-both-worlds” approach to infrastructure, pitting the efficiency of local talent against the precision of international firms.
Wike singled out indigenous firm Abdul Val for their work on the Karu road project. Having previously delivered the Ushafa project, the local contractor was hailed as a prime example of Nigerian capability.
Zeberced received high marks for their management of the Gbazango (Arab Road) and Goma-Yangoji projects. Wike emphasized that Zeberced’s ability to “keep to time” while maintaining top-tier quality is the benchmark for all FCT projects.
In a move to manage public expectations, Wike addressed the perennial concerns surrounding the Apo-Karshi road.
While the project—handled by SCC—will miss the immediate anniversary celebrations, the Minister offered a firm commitment: completion before the end of 2026.
“It’s a very important road that most people have talked about.
“We believe that before the end of the year, that road will also be completed”, he stated..
The Minister’s visit to Kubwa turned into a spontaneous town hall, as Gbazango residents flooded the streets to cheer the progress. For Wike, the technical success of the roads is secondary to the “governance in action” felt by the citizens.
“One thing is doing a quality job, and another thing is keeping to the timeline,” Wike noted, adding that the administration’s focus remains on projects that directly improve the daily commute of the average resident.
As the FCT prepares for a series of high-profile inaugurations, the Minister confirmed that the President’s third year in office will be defined by a flurry of commissioning ceremonies.
The message is clear: the FCT is no longer a graveyard of abandoned projects, but a hub of active, timed, and quality-controlled development.
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