By Ben Adoga, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured residents that the ongoing infrastructure projects will not be disrupted by politics, stressing that politics will not interfere with governance and service delivery.
Wike gave the assurance during an inspection tour of several strategic projects on Wednesday, including Baze University Road leading to the Body of Benchers, the Collector road within the Institutional Research district, and the access road linking Bill Clinton Drive to the Tunga Madaki community.
Addressing concerns about the timing of the projects ahead of upcoming area council elections, the Minister was emphatic that governance would not be put on hold.
“Politics is different. You have to serve the people. Politics has its own time, and the work will continue. Politics won’t affect it. What’s important to us is supporting the FCDA and regularly supervising projects. So, politics will not affect us,” Wike said.
He stressed that consistent project delivery remains the surest way to demonstrate the reality of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding, “The only way to make sure that people will be happy and see that the Renewed Hope Agenda is real is to continue with the work.”
Wike described the roads as critical infrastructure that will carry heavy traffic once completed. He revealed that the contractor is expected to hand over the project by the end of May, with inauguration scheduled during President Tinubu’s third year in office.
On the Body of Benchers extension building, Wike disclosed that construction is nearly 80 per cent complete, with landscaping as the final stage.
He highlighted key infrastructure along the corridor, including a large conference hall and a four-span bridge, describing the development as a significant boost for underserved communities.
He explained that the project scope was expanded in response to demands from local communities, who insisted that crop compensation be accompanied by improved access to the city.
“They asked that if we were paying compensation, they should also be linked to the city. That is what we are doing today: a promise made, a promise fulfilled,” he said.
Wike assured residents that contractors have committed to completing the major road works between late May and early June, while the FCT Administration will continue regular inspections to ensure quality and timely delivery of projects.
