FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed strong disapproval over what he described as the unauthorised and arbitrary naming of streets within the capital city.
Wike made his stance clear on Wednesday during the flag-off ceremony for engineering infrastructure projects across unserviced layouts in the Guzape area of Asokoro District.
In a direct warning to the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, the minister cautioned against assigning street names without proper authorization—particularly when such actions are allegedly driven by financial inducements.
> “We cannot be constructing roads and providing infrastructure, then you wake up one morning and name them after people that do not merit them,” Wike said.
“It is unacceptable for people to write you, pay you money, and you name streets that the FCTA is struggling to fund, after them.
“If you have collected such money, I will advise that you better refund them.”
The minister emphasized that naming roads, particularly within the city centre, must be guided by merit and national recognition—not influenced by personal or financial interests.
According to Wike, such practices diminish the dignity of public infrastructure and must be curbed to protect the integrity of urban planning in Abuja.
Turning to the ongoing infrastructure development, Wike reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to modernising the capital and ensuring it meets global standards.
> “We are focused on delivering key infrastructure to give Abuja a new look and make it compete favourably with other capital cities around the world,” he said.
Speaking at the event, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, reiterated that President Bola Tinubu’s vision for a well-connected and accessible capital city continues to drive the Administration’s push for development across districts.
She noted that beyond just improving infrastructure, the new road networks would ease mobility, shorten travel times, and decongest major arteries in and around the FCT.
On the technical side, Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Richard Dauda, said the project was awarded in March to Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, with an 18-month timeline for completion.
Dauda explained that the scope of work includes infrastructure for 24 short road links, spanning roughly 9.2 kilometres. Components of the project include earthworks, drainage systems, water pipelines, asphalt surfacing, culverts, street lighting, electricity supply, and telecommunication ducts.
