Ongoing road construction
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday announced that the long-awaited Abuja–Kuje road will be completed and delivered by June next year, saying the project has finally regained momentum following years of delay.
Wike, who disclosed this during an inspection of ongoing works in Kuje Area Council, said the contractor, Arab Contractors, had committed to meeting the new deadline, while the FCTA had also met its own obligations to keep the project on track.
“We are very impressed with the level of work and the quality of job being carried out by Arab Contractors,” Wike said. “They have promised to keep to their agreement, and by the grace of God, June next year they will hand over that road. It is a very major milestone.”
The minister recalled that the contract, awarded in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic, had stalled until the current administration intervened.
“When we came on board, the contractor was not on site,” he said. “During our interaction with stakeholders, one of the major requests was the return of the contractors. Today, the residents are happy, and we are also happy with the progress.”
Wike also inspected the dualisation of the Kuje–Gwagwalada road being handled by Gilmore Engineering. The company, he said, is executing the continuation of the project from the point it previously handled.
“The work is going on very well,” he said. “If we keep to our own promise, 70% to 80% of the job will be completed within the scheduled time.”
He stressed the strategic importance of both roads to the FCT’s internal connectivity and economic viability.
“These are very important roads. Someone from Kuje going to Gwagwalada does not need to pass through the Airport Road again,” he said. “These two major projects will change the economic life and activities of this area and of the FCT in general.”
