The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of various ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja.
Wike made the remarks on Monday during an inspection tour of several projects, including the ongoing renovation of the Abuja International Conference Centre (AICC), the extension of Obafemi Awolowo Way (N5) from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, the road network in Gishiri village, Katampe District, and the N16 Interchange at NICON Junction, which connects Maitama and Katampe Districts to Wole Soyinka Way.
“Frankly speaking, we are very impressed with what we have seen; the quality of the job is quite impressive, and we are on schedule,” Wike said during the tour.
He commended contractors for meeting expectations and confirmed that the government had also fulfilled its commitment by ensuring timely payments to avoid project delays.
Wike was particularly pleased with the transformation of the AICC, noting its near completion and significant improvement from its previous state.
Regarding the N16 Interchange, he announced that the project would be completed and inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu in May as part of activities marking the president’s second year in office. He added that the N5 road extension would also be ready by the end of May.
The minister highlighted that the projects were being funded under the 2024 budget, which remains active until the end of June. He further disclosed that the 2025 FCT Statutory Budget had been forwarded to the National Assembly and would be defended once the legislature resumed from recess.
Wike lauded the near-total implementation of the 2024 budget, estimating a 95 per cent performance level.
“This has never happened before. There is no project that is captured in the 2024 budget that we have not touched,” he said.
(NAN)