The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to complete 14 ongoing road construction projects across Abuja as part of the proposed N1.78 trillion FCT budget for 2025.
During his budget defense before the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on FCT on Wednesday, Wike revealed that N1.28 trillion, representing 72.3 percent of the total budget, has been allocated for capital projects, while N494.1 billion (27.7 percent) is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.
The minister detailed that N801.5 billion will go to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), with N137 billion allocated to the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) specifically for the completion of road projects.
Road Projects Slated for Completion
Among the major road projects scheduled for completion are the extension of Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) from Southern Parkway to Ring Road II, and the full development of FCT Highway 105 (Kuje Road) from Airport Expressway to Outer Southern Expressway with a spur at Kyami District.
Other significant projects include the construction of Northern Parkway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III spanning 6.2km, full development of Arterial Road N20 from Arterial Road N5, and rehabilitation of Old Keffi Road.
The minister also highlighted plans for the full development of Arterial Road N1 from Wuye District to Ring Road II, provision of access roads to Bus Terminals in FCT, dualisation and upgrading of Ushafa War College/Army Check Point Road, construction of Pai to Gomani Road in Kwali Area Council, and dualisation of Kuje to Gwagwalada Road.
Lawmakers Commend Wike's Performance
During the session, Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole described Wike as "one of the best performing ministers under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration." Oshiomhole noted that before Wike's appointment, excessive funds were being spent on overhead costs with minimal allocation for infrastructure development.
"What Wike has done is worth noting and commendation," Oshiomhole stated, highlighting the minister's implementation of specific programmes aimed at bringing development to rural communities in FCT and decongesting the city centre.
Notably, FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe, who had previously been critical of Wike's leadership style, also commended the minister for his "visible performance which she said was indisputable."
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Muktar Betara, similarly applauded the minister for the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory.
Wike concluded by appealing to the lawmakers to approve the N1.78 trillion FCT Statutory Budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year to continue the implementation of these development projects.
