By Stanley Onyekwere
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that the strategic development of roads and water infrastructure in satellite towns and rural communities has yielded significant results in curbing insecurity and enhancing access to agricultural lands across the territory.
Speaking on Monday during a live media chat in Abuja, Wike explained that his administration made a deliberate policy shift toward neglected rural areas following intensive consultations with traditional rulers, youth leaders, women, and other community stakeholders. These local groups directly identified poor road networks as a primary factor fueling criminal activities.
According to the minister, residents complained that the lack of passable roads severely hindered security agencies from pursuing criminals during attacks.
”What we did was to go to the rural areas and interact with the stakeholders—the chiefs, the youths, the women, and other leaders,.
“What I found very interesting is that they know their terrain. They told us most of the roads were not passable at all and that even when attacks occurred, security operatives could not effectively respond because the roads were bad. So we took on the task and built the roads they themselves nominated,” Wike stated.
The minister noted that this targeted approach has proven highly successful, pointing to Kuje Area Council where multiple requested road projects have already been completed.
”Those roads have been built, and it really helps in terms of reducing insecurity and in terms of having access to their farmland,” Wike said.
Emphasizing a departure from past governance styles where policies were announced without implementation, Wike stressed that the current FCT Administration is strictly focused on execution.
”Whatever policies we make, by the grace of God, we will implement them. That is how people are going to see the impact of governance, particularly in the rural areas,” he affirmed.
He added that President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to commission several high-impact infrastructure projects across the satellite towns as part of activities commemorating the administration’s anniversary.
According to him, key interventions include critical water schemes designed to bring potable water to underserved areas, including Kuje, Orozo, Gwagwalada, and Dobi.
”We can’t concentrate only on the city. We must also move to the satellite towns and provide them with critical infrastructure.
“The water projects, executed by CGC, are fully completed and ready for commissioning, marking successful interventions across two area councils between 2025 and 2026,” Wike noted.
He further detailed an aggressive portfolio of road projects that have either been completed or are nearing final delivery stages across the territory: “A2–Pai Road & A3 Highway -critical sections and connecting corridors have been successfully completed.Bwari–Kubwa Corridor- work is on track for full completion before the end of this year,Dei-Dei Axis – road networks in this high-traffic commercial area have been delivered, and Airport Bypass and Zuba Link – strategic work is advancing on the Abuja airport corridor and the Zuba-Airport link road to divert transit traffic away from the city centre.
Looking at the long-term urban planning of the capital city, the minister announced that the FCT Administration has finalized plans to comprehensively review the Abuja Master Plan. Official discussions with the plan’s original Japanese designers have been scheduled for July.
”The world has changed. The world is different. You have to conform with current realities,” Wike remarked, reiterating that urban development must align with contemporary realities.
Concluding the media chat, the minister called on residents and media organizations to prioritize collaborative engagement over non-constructive criticism. He emphasized that governance thrives when the public proactively highlights blind spots and offers actionable insights.
”Government can’t do everything. If citizens call our attention to certain things and make useful suggestions, we can act on them. Constructive criticism is important,” Wike said.
As a further example of observing and responding to institutional needs, the minister also disclosed that the FCT Administration is currently constructing additional student hostel accommodations at the Nigerian Law School to systematically upgrade educational infrastructure in the capital.
