On Thursday afternoon, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, officially inaugurated several new infrastructure projects in Abuja, dispelling recent rumors about his health.
Wike was present at the launch event for the construction of the Arterial Road N1, which stretches from Wuye District to Ring Road II, marking a significant development in the city’s road network.
In a playful response to critics, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, took to social media to mock detractors by stating, “We have yet to encounter the so-called Online Medical Doctor Omoyele Sowore of the Sahara Desert Medical Centre.” Alongside this, Olayinka shared a video capturing the Minister’s arrival at the event.
Earlier on Monday, Olayinka had issued a statement outlining the schedule for the commissioning of multiple projects, which will take place over several days.
The statement detailed that Minister Wike would initiate the construction of 12 new roads and install solar-powered streetlights in key locations across the Federal Capital City (FCC) and along major expressways as part of the Light Up Abuja Programme.
Additionally, the Minister is set to inaugurate access roads in Sector Centre B near Dakibiyu District, as well as the newly completed Esther Bali Street (ILS 11) and Kez Udezue Street (MAR 24) in Mabushi District.
According to Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, two road projects will be commissioned, while 14 new initiatives will be launched between Thursday, September 18, 2025, and Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Among these projects is the acquisition of integrated hybrid solar lighting systems for various districts and expressways in Abuja. This includes Lot 1 areas such as Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, the Central Business District (CBD), and Airport Expressway, as well as Lot II covering Katampe, Garki I and II, Mabushi, Gudu, Jabi, and Katampe Extension.
Other key projects slated for commencement include the comprehensive development of Arterial Road N1 from Wuye District to Ring Road II, construction of the Northern Parkway connecting Ring Road II to Ring Road III, and the creation of an access road to the Mabushi District Bus Terminal in Cadastral Zone B06.
Further undertakings involve Phase II development of the FCC, full-scale enhancement of Arterial N20 (Solomon Lar Way) from Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) to the Airport Expressway, and the establishment of an access road to the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates project site in Cadastral Zone D06, Karsana West District.
Additional infrastructure includes an access road bypassing the Airport’s Second Runway, linking Bill Clinton Drive to Tunga Madaki Settlement via a four-span bridge, construction of an access road to the FCT Fire Service Station, and erosion control measures in Kaura District featuring three-span bridges.
The Minister will also oversee the building of a second transit way connecting the Central Area with Wuse District, complete with two bridges, the design and construction of Mohammed Isa Road Extension in Asokoro District’s Cadastral Zone A04, and rehabilitation of a 15km stretch of the old Keffi Road from Kado Village to Dei-Dei Junction.
Engineering infrastructure will be provided to outstanding layouts within Guzape A09 Lots I and II, as well as the AIT Neighborhood in Asokoro A04 District. The construction of Collector Road CN2 (Emmanuel I. Ogala Street) from Arterial N16 (Yemi Osinbajo Way) to N20 (Wole Soyinka Way), including road ILS 5 in Katampe District, is also part of the agenda.
Moreover, the Minister will commission the design and construction of residences for the heads of courts, including the President of the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court Chief Judge, the Chief Judge of the FCT, Abuja, and the President of the Industrial Court.
It is worth noting that about a month ago, Minister Wike launched the construction and expansion of water supply systems to satellite towns, starting with Bwari Township in Bwari Area Council (Lot 1) and Karu town and its environs in Abuja Municipal Area Council (Lot 2), as highlighted by Olayinka.
LEADERSHIP further reports that two weeks prior, the Minister inaugurated the construction of a multi-purpose sports complex in Abuja’s Kafe District, a new Magistrate Court complex in Jabi District, and emergency road reconstruction on Karu Road from the Karu interchange to Customs Clinic Junction. This project’s scope was broadened to include the rehabilitation of additional critical roads within the Karu satellite town.
