Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to those attempting to sabotage the territory’s infrastructure revolution, particularly the “Light Up Abuja” initiative.
Wike’s warning was triggered by a recent incident where street lights on the airport road failed as President Bola Tinubu returned to the capital.
The minister, who gave the warning during the groundbreaking for the Collector Road CN2, a strategic link connecting Yemi Osinbajo Way to Wole Soyinka Way, said, “I laughed, I already forewarned you that there will be a fight, but we are equal to the task.
“Once you are alive, there will be a fight. It is only the dead that don’t fight. The living will always fight. People will come and fight you, you will also fight back.”
He disclosed that he had already summoned the contractors, CCECC, for an explanation and had been briefed on their efforts.
Wike urged all parties involved not to relent, emphasising his administration’s resolve.
“Know that all those things are just to distract us and weaken us. But I can assure you, my team and I, we are very determined.
“We are very, very determined. If there is one project we must achieve, it is the ‘Light Up Abuja’ project,” he said.
The minister explained that the road is part of a major infrastructure overhaul planned for President Tinubu’s third anniversary in 2025 and the FCT’s 50th anniversary in 2026.
He revealed that the new road was essential to give functional meaning to the recently commissioned Gishiri-Maitama road and interchange.
“Recollect that sometime in July this year, Mr. President came and commissioned that interchange. So when we came, we found that without this road being linked up, it would not make sense,” Wike said.
He praised the contractor, China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC), for commencing work based on trust before the formal contract award, highlighting their confidence in the president’s government.
While painting a vivid picture of the project’s immediate economic impact, Wike predicted a dramatic surge in property values.
“If a property here was worth 200 or 300 million, within the next one month, its value will go to 700 million or 1 billion Naira. That is what good administration is; that is what the real essence of making the economy thrive is,” he said.
He further described himself as divinely favoured to lead the FCT into its golden jubilee era. “Some of us have been very lucky. We were golden governors, we are now golden ministers. So, you ask yourself, are we not so loved by God?”
The new Collector Road is expected to significantly decongest traffic in the Katampe and Gishiri areas, with a completion deadline set to coincide with President Tinubu’s third year in office.