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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the construction of roads and water projects across satellite towns and rural communities has helped to reduce insecurity and boost economic activities in the territory.
Wike spoke on Monday during a live media chat in Abuja, where he explained that his administration deliberately prioritised neglected communities after residents identified poor road infrastructure as one of the major drivers of insecurity.
According to him, consultations with traditional rulers, youths, women and community leaders revealed that security agencies often found it difficult to pursue criminals because many rural roads were inaccessible.
“What we did was to go to the rural areas and interact with the stakeholders — the chiefs, the youths, the women and other leaders,” Wike said.
“They told us most of the roads were not passable and that even when attacks occurred, security operatives could not effectively respond because the roads were bad. We took on the task and built the roads they themselves nominated.”
The minister said the intervention has recorded positive results, particularly in the Kuje Area Council, where several rural roads have been completed.
“Those roads have been built, and it really helps in terms of reducing insecurity and in terms of having access to their farmland,” he stated.
Wike said the FCT Administration was determined to distinguish itself from previous governments by implementing projects that directly impact residents.
“Whatever policies we make, by the grace of God, we will implement them. That is how people are going to see the impact of governance, particularly in the rural areas,” he said.
He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu will soon commission several projects in satellite towns as part of activities marking the administration’s anniversary.
The projects include water schemes in Kuje, Orozo, Gwagwalada and Dobi aimed at expanding access to potable water in underserved communities.
“We can’t concentrate only on the city. We must also move to the satellite towns and provide them with critical infrastructure,” Wike said.
He added that the water projects, executed by CGC, have been completed and are ready for commissioning.
The minister also listed several major road projects completed or nearing completion, including the A2-Pai road, the Bwari-Kubwa road, roads in Dei-Dei and sections of the A3 corridor.
According to him, the Bwari-Kubwa road will be completed before the end of the year, while work is progressing on the Abuja airport corridor and the Zuba-Airport link road to ease traffic congestion.
Wike further announced plans to review the Abuja Master Plan, noting that discussions with the original Japanese designers of the city have been scheduled for July.
“The world has changed. The world is different. You have to conform to current realities,” he said.
The minister also revealed that the FCT Administration is constructing additional hostel accommodation for students of the Nigerian Law School as part of efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
