The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the contract for the long-delayed 13-kilometre Apo–Karshi Road, originally awarded to Kakatar Construction Company Ltd. in 2011. The decision, he said, was due to the contractor’s failure to deliver after more than a decade.
Wike made the announcement on Thursday during an inspection tour of several ongoing road projects, including the Karu–Customs–CBN Road, Gishiri–Katampe Road, and Apo–Wasa Carriageway.
Expressing frustration over the stalled project, the minister revealed that the contract has now been re-awarded to SCC under an emergency arrangement.
“We have terminated that contract; it has been re-awarded to SCC. If you go there now, you will see they have already started work,” he said.
He criticised the politicisation of critical infrastructure projects, insisting that public welfare must come first. “We cannot continue to play politics when it comes to the welfare of the people,” Wike stated.
The minister also disclosed that work has begun on the newly awarded Kubwa–Bwari Road, which will serve as an alternative route for commuters.
At the Karu inspection site, Wike addressed a property owner whose shop was marked for demolition for blocking a water channel. He assured her of compensation but stressed that public safety must take precedence.
“You cannot block water channels. We are even sympathetic by agreeing to compensate you, but we must allow water to flow to prevent flooding. Sometimes we should not be emotional she’s crying, but she did the wrong thing,” Wike said.
He explained that the demolition was necessary to avert future flooding risks in the area.
Wike also expressed satisfaction with the warm reception he received from residents, saying it showed they appreciate the government’s development efforts.
“The essence of governance is to make people happy and improve their lives,” he noted.
The minister revealed that the ongoing road projects will be commissioned during President Bola Tinubu’s third-anniversary celebrations.
Looking ahead, Wike said the FCTA will not award new contracts in 2026, describing it as a political year. Instead, the administration will focus on completing all ongoing projects.
“In 2026, we are not likely to initiate new projects. We want to ensure the projects started this year are completed,” he said.
