Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to transform the newly completed Apo-Karshi Road into a major tourist destination in Abuja, following the successful completion of the project, which was first awarded in 2010.
Wike made this known on Wednesday while inspecting the road, describing its completion as a major infrastructure achievement by the FCT Administration under President Bola Tinubu.
He disclosed that the President ordered the termination of the original contract after the indigenous contractor engaged in 2010 failed to execute the project despite receiving full payment.
According to him, the intervention of Tinubu ensured that the contract was re-awarded to a more capable company, paving the way for the completion of the road after years of delay.
“This road was awarded in 2010 to an indigenous contractor. We did all we could to persuade the contractor to ensure that the job was fully implemented, even though we had fully paid. But the contractor was not forthcoming,” he said.
The minister explained that the decision to terminate the initial contract followed his presentation of the challenges surrounding the project to the President, who subsequently directed that another contractor be engaged.
He said the administration was not discouraged by criticisms over the cost of the new contract, maintaining that delivering critical infrastructure for the benefit of residents remained its priority.
“When this contract was awarded, some people were asking how we could award it at that amount. But we were not deterred. All we were concerned about was the happiness and comfort of the people,” he said.
Wike expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, describing the Apo-Karshi Road as one of the most widely publicised projects executed by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
He noted that the difficult terrain posed considerable engineering challenges, making the successful completion of the project particularly significant.
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The minister said the widespread reactions on social media reflected Nigerians’ amazement at the scale of the project and the engineering expertise demonstrated in its execution.
He urged Nigerians to acknowledge the infrastructure achievements of the Tinubu administration, arguing that government performance should be assessed based on its overall accomplishments rather than isolated issues.
“Look at what is going on in Abuja today, the level of infrastructure and how it has turned out to be a tourist centre. I am happy that people are happy and that Nigerians have seen the infrastructure development being carried out by the Tinubu administration,” he said.
Wike also praised journalists for bringing the project to public attention, noting that media coverage had enabled Nigerians to appreciate the magnitude of the investment and construction work involved.
On the planned commissioning, he said the FCT Administration was working to secure a suitable date in line with the President’s schedule, considering that several other projects were also awaiting inauguration.
He disclosed that inspection exercises had been conducted on projects at ISEX, the Southern Parkway and Kaura District, adding that between 10 and 12 projects were being considered for commissioning.
The minister expressed optimism that Tinubu would inaugurate the Apo-Karshi Road before the end of November, saying the FCT Administration would engage the Presidency to ensure that the project was included in the President’s schedule.
On the proposed development of public facilities and recreational amenities to support the road’s emergence as a tourist destination, Wike said the administration would work with the relevant departments to identify and provide the necessary infrastructure.
He, however, revealed that he had rejected a proposal submitted by the FCDA coordinator, insisting that the authority’s core responsibility was road construction, while the department responsible for tourism should determine the facilities required to develop the area into an attractive destination.
“But be sure that I will make it happen as a tourist centre,” Wike assured.
