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FCT PRESS RELEASE
FCT MINISTER INSPECTS KEY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN ABUJA
…DEFENDS FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL BY PRESIDENT TINUBU
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, today conducted an extensive inspection of ongoing major infrastructure projects across the nation's capital.
The Minister’s tour covered the Full Scope Development of Arterial Road N16 from Jahi District through Gwarimpa to RR3, the rural Zaudna/Kagini/Kaba road project connecting Old Keffi road in Dei-Dei to the Outer Northern Expressway, and the construction of the Magistrate Court in Garki.
Addressing members of the press following the inspection tour, the Minister expressed overall satisfaction with the pace and quality of work being delivered across the territory, describing the ongoing projects as a direct manifestation of the administration's promises to residents.
During his stop at the 5km rural Zaudna/Kagini/Kaba road project—which links the Old Keffi road in Dei-Dei to the Outer Northern Expressway—the Minister directly addressed residents of the community, reassuring them that the project initiated under President Tinubu’s directives remains on track for completion in December.
He told the residents that the President’s message ahead of the forthcoming election would not be communicated through television speeches alone, but through tangible infrastructure projects that the people can see and feel. He urged them to align their political support exclusively with leadership that demonstrates direct concern for their welfare through completed projects, rather than figures who only appear during election cycles.
At the 7.2km Arterial Road N16 site in Gwarimpa, Barrister Wike commended the contractors for executing a transformative project, while acknowledging the massive scope of engineering involved. "It’s a major job. I’m even afraid whether that completion period will be feasible. It’s a major job that is worth being done. I’m happy with what we have seen there. It’s a major turnaround as far as the FCT is concerned. I commend the contractors".
Inspecting the Magistrate Court complex in Garki, the FCT Minister also noted significant engineering progress and revealed that the adjoining land that was previously threatened by severe erosion has been reclaimed by the administration and would be used to expand judicial infrastructure at the site.
"If you came here with us last time, we had a gully. Now that gully has been reclaimed and we are going to put another court there. I also commend the contractor who is handling this job. I believe that before the end of the year, this job will also be completed. So, we are satisfied with what we have seen. We are very impressed that the promises made to the people have been fulfilled. Again, it’s what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about".
On the question of security in the capital, the Minister dismissed reports of a rise in armed robbery cases within the FCT. While acknowledging isolated incidents, he assured residents that security reports from law enforcement agencies confirm that security forces remain fully equipped and active in maintaining law and order throughout the FCT.
The Minister who also addressed broader governance and fiscal reforms, defended the Federal Government's economic policies, including the removal of the fuel subsidy. He noted that increased allocations from saved subsidy funds are actively empowering state and local governments to meet obligations such as prompt salary and pension payments, urging citizens to hold local authorities accountable for the utilization of those expanded resources.
Reacting to comments by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar that he would restore fuel subsidy if elected in 2027, the Minister described the position as inconsistent and lacking in leadership integrity.
“This was a man who said in 2022 that he was going to remove the fuel subsidy because it was a fraud. Now in 2026, he is not going to remove the fuel subsidy. Is he going back to the fraud which he has alleged that fuel subsidy was...? We should be able to be consistent in what we say to our people. That is what leadership is all about. It is not you coming out to say one thing in the morning, in the afternoon you say a different thing, in the night, you are talking of a different thing”, the FCT Minister said.
He noted that under the current legal framework of the Petroleum Industry Act, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited operates strictly as a commercial entity alongside private refiners like the Dangote Refinery, making a return to state fuel subsidies practically impossible, and misleading to promise voters such.
More Pictures and Captions
RABI
MUSA UMAR
DEPUTY
DIRECTOR, PRESS
(OFFICE
OF THE HON MINISTER)
FCTA/ODP/PR/896
20/08/2026
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