Lilian Ugwu
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are experiencing improved infrastructure and connectivity as ongoing government projects extend beyond the city centre to satellite towns, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has revealed.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during an inspection tour along the Bwari–Kubwa road, highlighting the administration’s commitment to enhancing living conditions and delivering tangible benefits to residents.
According to the minister, the administration has deliberately shifted focus to underserved areas in response to longstanding concerns about uneven development. “We were told clearly that there is over-concentration of development in the city, and we must go to the satellite towns. These communities are part of Abuja, and their lives must also change,” he said.
The inspection covered key road projects in areas including Karu, Apo-Karshi, and the Bwari–Kubwa corridor, many of which are bringing infrastructure to communities seeing such improvements for the first time. Wike noted that the upgraded road networks would significantly reduce travel times, citing that residents of towns like Kuje can now reach the city centre within 25 minutes.
He also assured that some projects would be completed and commissioned as part of activities marking the anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s tenure. Addressing concerns over real estate development, Wike dismissed calls for new regulatory bodies, insisting that existing institutions, particularly the Department of Development Control, are fully capable of enforcing compliance with the Abuja Master Plan.
“What is important is to strengthen existing structures. The FCT Administration can handle complaints and ensure that developers do not exploit innocent citizens,” he said, promising that reported malpractices would be addressed promptly.
The minister also called for unity and collective support for government initiatives, stressing that national development requires cooperation from all stakeholders. He extended goodwill to Muslim faithful, wishing residents a happy Ramadan.
Since President Tinubu’s inauguration in 2023, the FCT Administration has intensified road construction and rehabilitation in satellite towns, alongside efforts to enhance connectivity with the city centre, addressing long-standing complaints about inadequate infrastructure and limited access to services.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.