Metro
Road construction: Your phone must be always on, Wike warned officials
By Wumi Tewogbade
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike,on Friday, warned all the officials to ensure their phones are always switch on for easy access.
The FCT Minister stated this at the flag off of the construction of the Transit Way N2, a vital road project designed to connect the Central Business District to the Wuse District.
Addressing heads of departments, Wike directed officials in charge of security and health projects to take immediate action.
“Those in charge of health must sit up and know that time waits for nobody. If you don’t know how to be energetic enough to meet up, go and ask those who know how to keep up with the speed at which I work.
Your phones must be on because I may call you at any time. If your phones are off, it means you are not prepared for the job,” he said.
He was particularly critical of the pace of work on the construction of 12 new police stations in the Territory.
Director of Security, we are building not less than 12 police stations. Up till now, you have not come to tell me how many are ready. The day I go and find out, that day you will go to the Institute of Policy Studies, so that you will allow another person to do the job.
“Director is not to wear agbada, it is not to wear black cap. The assignment is to ensure that you hand over the police stations for us to have improved security,” he said.
He revealed that the project, which also includes the provision of two essential bridges, was initiated after he observed efforts by private citizens—whom he extolled as “elder statesmen”—to make the road motorable.
Following this observation, the Minister said he directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to take over and fully complete the project.
He said: “During one of our inspection tours, I drove from where you have the TY Danjuma Foundation. I want to commend our elder statesmen for taking the bold step to start the construction from that side. I said these are citizens who mean well for our people. I felt that they should not be the only people that will do that road. So, I told the Executive Secretary, FCDA to take it over from there and then link up to Wuse. Today to the glory of God, we are here to flag-off the road construction”.
He stressed that the Transit Way A2 is one of the key projects scheduled for inauguration during the third-year anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and consequently charged the contractor, Levante Construction Company Nigeria Limited, to ensure the project’s timely completion.
The FCT Minister while emphasizing the foundational role of a good road network in urban development and attracting investment, cited the example of the ‘Abuja City Walk’ project by investors from Dubai, noting that their commitment stems from the Administration’s focus on infrastructure.
“There cannot be development in any city without good network of roads. Road infrastructure attracts investments”, Barr. Wike stated.
Beyond road infrastructure, the FCT Minister disclosed that the FCT Administration is intensifying efforts in other critical sectors, including health and education. He announced a new phase for educational development, pledging the total rehabilitation of not less than 40 schools, which he said is in addition to the over 70 ongoing school projects, 45 of which have already been completed.
“We are going to start again the total rehabilitation of not less than 40 schools after this road infrastructure”, the Minister stated. He called for renewed commitment from officials, charging them to keep up with his pace of delivery while stressing that no sector will be left untouched.
“The only thing we know in our dictionary is to work, work and work to the satisfaction of our people,” he stated, reassuring residents that the FCT Administration remains focused on service delivery despite any distractions.
The Minister equally confirmed that the flag-off and commissioning of vital projects will continue through October and into November to grow the economy and improve the landscape of the FCT.
“Let me say that this flag-off and commissioning will continue till almost the 20th of October, then in November, we will commission some other projects which we think are very vital and important to grow the economy and improve the landscape of the FCT”, the Minister assured.
In her vote of thanks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to infrastructure development in the FCT and the nation at large.
She hailed the project as yet another testimony of the Renewed Hope Agenda and specially acknowledged the FCT Minister, Barr. Wike, for being the “monitor and driver of this initiative and success and thanked the National Assembly for its “consistent support, collaboration and legislative backing”.
Presenting an overview of the project, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, explained that the transit way in the Abuja Master Plan is a public transport system infrastructure, which combines the rail mode and bus rapid transport network, designed to link the city center with sector centers along the developing corridors as well as to the Satellite Towns and reduce reliance on private cars.
He specified that the Transit Way A2 is the first segment of the transit ways being implemented by the FCT Administration, adding that the project, awarded to Messrs Levant Construction Limited, includes two river bridges connecting the Central Business District to Wuse District.
He said the project will address chronic flooding issues and enhance general traffic flow, serving as a catalyst for economic activities, adding that the scope of work includes river channels, erosion control measures, and solar lighting.
Engr. Dauda affirmed that the completed project will not only reduce travel time but also improve economic activities within the vicinity and further enhance infrastructural growth in the city, while also providing job opportunities during the construction phase.
The Managing Director, Levante Construction Company, Elie Tannous, who also spoke during the flag-off ceremony, thanked the FCT Administration for entrusting the company with the responsibility and assured that the project will be delivered within the stipulated timeframe and in accordance with the highest standard.
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has emphasized that a committed and ethical civil service remains the backbone of sustainable national progress.
The Minister stated this at the official launch of three books authored by Dr. Jumai Ahmadu.
The three books include “The Evolution and Development of the Federal Capital Territory,” “When the Spirit Whispers,” and “Steward of the Nation: The Role of the Civil Servants in National Development.”
She noted that the books collectively addressed Nigeria’s national journey, institutional growth, and the values sustaining public service and personal purpose.
While highlighting one of the books, “The Evolution and Development of the Federal Capital Territory” Mahmoud explained that the book provided critical documentation of Abuja’s transformation, offering valuable insights into the vision, planning, and governance shaping Nigeria’s capital city.
She described it as a significant contribution to policy discourse and urban development literature.
Mahmoud further stated that “When the Spirit Whispers” went beyond governance into introspection, reminding readers of the importance of moral clarity, purpose, and inner conviction in leadership and daily life.
The Minister emphasized its relevance at a time when the nation yearned for ethical leadership and personal responsibility, calling it both inspiring and instructive.
She equally praised “Steward of the Nation: The Role of the Civil Servants in National Development,” which underscored the indispensable role of civil servants in national progress.
“The book highlighted professionalism, accountability, and service as pillars of effective governance, reinforcing that a committed and ethical civil service remained the backbone of sustainable development,” she stated.
The Minister, therefore, commended Dr. Jumai Ahmadu for her dedication to knowledge, public service, and nation-building, stating that her works would serve as reference materials for policymakers, scholars, civil servants, and the younger generation.
She, however, encouraged readers to engage deeply with the books, as they offered lessons aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—promoting good governance, institutional strength, and inclusive national development.
Earlier, in her remarks, the author of the books and Ag. Director FCT Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu described the launch as the documentation of a journey; my personal journey, our collective journey, and the evolving story of service, faith, and nation-building.
In her words, “I joined the civil service twenty-eight years ago, young, idealistic, and full of hope about the power of public service to shape lives and institutions.
“Over the years, that belief has been tested, refined, challenged, and ultimately strengthened through reforms, transitions, setbacks, and progress.
“Those twenty-eight years taught me that institutions do not succeed by chance. They grow when people serve with integrity, competence, and a genuine sense of stewardship.
“That conviction inspired Stewards of the Nation, a tribute to the many civil servants whose quiet dedication keeps governance moving forward every day.”
She expressed hope that the books would inspire greater integrity in service, deeper understanding of governance, and renewed purpose in life’s journey.
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, has assured Anima residents that Kuje/Airport and kuje/Gwagalada roads, would be commissioned by June ending, at the 3rd Anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike stated this when he inspected the ongoing projects in Kuje/Airport and kuje/Gwagalada roads, in Abuja.
He said Airport to Kuje, is over 70%, and here (from Kuje to Gwagwalada) I can see it’s almost 65% completed.
He said, “You know that the Airport to Kuje road is a one road that is very key for us. Then from Kuje to Gwagwalada, the last time I was there, you remember, we stopped at the mosque, where they were constructing and we were well impressed with the level of work done.
“Like the contractors have said now, God willing, by first week of June or June ending, we would have inaugurated this project. It’s a very important project, so that you don’t need to go through the airport if you are going to Gwagwalada or from Gwagwalada to town. We are very happy with what we have seen”.
On progress of the work, he said, “Well, if you take from Airport to Kuje, it is over 70%, and here (from Kuje to Gwagwalada) I can see it’s almost 65%, so I think they will meet up”.
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at the weekend, threatened to sack the coordinator of Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu over non evacuation of waste that have taken over strategic roads at the suburbs.
He said if Zulkiflu fails to comply between February 9th -10, his appointment as the coordinator will be immediately terminated.
This is not the first time Wike has taken a tough stance on waste management in the FCT.
He had in 2025 warned contractors that excuses would not be tolerated and that payment would be based on merit.
Wike said,” If I see that refuse from Orozo down to Apo-Karshi by Monday or Tuesday, February 9th-10th, your job will be terminated. Whatever you can do, make sure this is handled. Look at this, it’s very embarrassing. Those places are no longer villages, development has taken over all the whole area. Nobody will accept that”..
Speaking after inspection tour of some road projects, the Minister said President Bola Tinubu is doing massive road work in satellite towns, not just city to ensure that every part of the FCT is opened.
Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the Apo – Karish road which was awarded since 2010 by the past administrations but recorded no success, resulting to revocation and engagement of a new contractor.
“One very important road all of us know, is the Apo-Karshi road. That road was awarded in 2010. And of course, we have been to that road more than ten times. But because of the importance of that road, we couldn’t wait longer because of the excuses of the contractor. So we had to seek the permission of Mr. President and we got that job terminated, and was awarded to SCC”.
Wike also commended the work on Karu township and Kubwa-Gbazango- Bwari roads.
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