The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration plans to develop tourist facilities around the completed Apo-Karshi road in Abuja, as the government seeks to position the infrastructure project as a new destination for visitors.
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, disclosed this on Wednesday during an inspection of the road, which was initially awarded in 2010 but remained incomplete for years.
Wike said the original contract was terminated on the directive of President Bola Tinubu after the indigenous contractor failed to deliver the project despite receiving full payment.
According to the minister, the contract was subsequently re-awarded to another company following the President’s intervention, given the importance of the road to residents and the development of the FCT.
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“This road was awarded in 2010 to an indigenous contractor. We did all we could to persuade the contractor to ensure that the job was fully implemented, even though we had fully paid. But the contractor was not forthcoming,” he said.
Wike said the administration proceeded with the new contract despite criticism over its cost, arguing that completing the road was more important than the controversy surrounding the award.
“When this contract was awarded, some people were asking how we could award it at that amount. But we were not deterred. All we were concerned about was the happiness and comfort of the people,” he said.
He described the Apo-Karshi road as one of the major projects undertaken by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), citing the difficult terrain and engineering requirements involved in its construction.
The minister said public reactions to images and videos of the project on social media showed the extent to which the road had attracted attention.
He added that the project reflected the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure development efforts in the FCT and urged Nigerians to assess the government’s performance beyond individual policy disagreements.
On the proposed commissioning, Wike said the FCT Administration was awaiting confirmation of the President’s schedule, as several other projects were also being prepared for inauguration.
He disclosed that projects at ISEX, the Southern Parkway and Kaura District had been inspected, while between 10 and 12 projects were being considered for commissioning.
The minister expressed hope that Tinubu would inaugurate the Apo-Karshi road before the end of November.
On plans to establish public facilities to support the road’s proposed tourism status, Wike said the administration would work with the relevant departments to determine the required amenities.
He said he had rejected a proposal presented by the FCDA coordinator, explaining that the authority’s primary responsibility was road construction, while the tourism department would determine the facilities needed to develop the area as a tourist destination.
“But be sure that I will make it happen as a tourist centre,” he said.
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