Wike Transfers Abuja Road Project To A New Contractor

According to Ireporter Online, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially terminated the long-delayed 13-kilometre Apo–Karshi Road contract and re-awarded the project to a new construction firm, S.C.C. Nigeria Limited. The announcement came on Thursday after the minister inspected several ongoing projects across key districts, including Gishiri, Karu, and the Apo-Wassa section of the Outer Southern Expressway.

Wike, who spoke openly about the decision, said the administration could no longer justify the 14-year delay caused by the previous contractor, Kakatar Engineering Limited. He stated that the government had exercised enough patience and was left with no choice but to revoke the contract and hand it over to a new firm already mobilised to site.

“Let me tell you the truth: we have terminated that contract. It has been re-awarded,” the minister said, confirming that S.C.C. Nigeria Limited had commenced work under an emergency arrangement. He added that residents could already see visible activity on the project corridor.

The road was originally awarded in 2011 at a cost of ₦6.4 billion with a 20-month completion target under former FCT Minister Bala Mohammed. However, more than a decade later, the strategic link road—intended to ease heavy traffic flow across adjoining communities—remains incomplete. Wike stressed that the administration would not allow political considerations to hinder infrastructure delivery, insisting that public welfare must take precedence.

In addition to the Apo–Karshi project, the minister revealed that another major road connecting Kubwa to the Bwari Area Council had also been re-awarded to S.C.C. Nigeria Limited to create an alternative route into Bwari. He assured residents that construction activities were progressing according to plan.

Wike further disclosed that the FCT administration would not initiate new capital projects in 2026, describing it as a political year in which the government must focus on completing existing commitments rather than expanding its project portfolio. He noted that ongoing projects captured in the 2025 fiscal year would be prioritised for completion within the next budget cycle.

“We want to ensure that the projects we started this year are completed in 2026,” he said, adding that the administration aims to deliver all ongoing infrastructure before the end of its tenure.