“WE HAVE TURNED SATELLITE TOWNS INTO CITIES” - FCT MINISTER

L-R) Managing Director, Abdul Val Limited, Otunba Abdullahi Suleiman Bello, FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike and the Coordinator, STDD, Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkifli during the Minister's inspection of the Karu township roads project in Abuja on Friday

FCTA PRESS RELEASE

“WE HAVE TURNED SATELLITE TOWNS INTO CITIES” - FCT MINISTER

…AS HE ANNOUNCES IMMINENT RELOCATION FOR APO MECHANICS AND TRADERS

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has declared that the FCT Administration has successfully bridged the developmental gap between the city center and suburban areas through the provision of key infrastructure.

Speaking during a routine inspection of major infrastructure projects in the FCT’s satellite towns, on Friday, April 24, 2026, the Minister emphasized that the administration’s focus has transformed peripheral districts into vibrant, functional urban areas.

During the tour, which covered the Karu township roads reconstruction, the 13km Apo-Karshi road and the rehabilitation of the Gbazango/Kubwa road, Barr. Wike noted that the FCTA is prioritizing projects that provide immediate relief and value to residents and commended the quality of work seen across the sites.

"This is the first time an administration is going outside the city. We have turned some of these satellite areas into cities. You don’t need to go and live in the city center before you can go to work. We are very happy because when the people are happy, it shows that governance is impactful", the Minister said.

Barrister Wike also expressed his satisfaction with the pace of development, noting that the influx of real estate interest in areas like Wasa serves as a testament to the administration's successful urban renewal strategy.

He confirmed that several projects in the FCT satellite towns, including the Karu roads reconstruction and the Gbazango road project, are set for inauguration during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s third-year anniversary celebrations.

Regarding the logistics of the commissioning ceremonies, the Minister noted that the FCTA is coordinating with the Presidency, the Vice President, and the National Assembly leadership to manage the high volume of completed projects.

Addressing the long-standing controversy surrounding the completion of the Apo-Karshi road, which was first awarded in 2010, the Minister explained that the project, which he described as very important to residents and business people, will be completed by August this year. 

While also confirming that the long-awaited relocation of Apo Mechanic traders to Wasa was firmly on track, the Minister said, “We believe that before August, they will be moved to Wasa. This is the first time all promises made, including those inherited from previous administrations, are being fulfilled".

In addition to infrastructure, the Minister also addressed the critical issue of sanitation in the FCT satellite towns, revealing that the administration recently had cause to cancel existing refuse disposal contracts due to poor performance and a lack of accountability regarding waste disposal sites.

He noted that the Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) has taken over operations temporarily while the administration prepares to engage more competent and reliable service providers.

"One big problem all over the world is waste evacuation. I was not comfortable with the previous contractors because they could not tell us where they were dumping the refuse. For now, the Satellite Town Development Department is managing the process directly while we finalize arrangements for new, more reliable contracts", the Minister explained.

The Minister used the opportunity to address residents of Kubwa who had come out to welcome him during the inspection, assuring them of the administration’s commitment to continued development of the satellite towns.

One of the residents who spoke out, Proper Onyenaucheya praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister for prioritizing projects that directly impact on the lives of the residents.

MORE PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS

Ongoing construction of a section of the Karu township roads project on Friday

 

FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, addressing some residents of Kubwa, when the Minister inspected the ongoing Gbazango-Kubwa road in Abuja on Friday

 

An aerial view of ongoing construction of the Karu township roads on Friday

 

RABI MUSA UMAR

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PRESS

(OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE MINISTER)

24/04/2026

FCTA/ODP/PR/831