The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged anyone disputing his administration’s record on road construction in Abuja’s satellite towns to publicly refute his claims within 48 hours, declaring that he would step down as minister if they were proven false.
Wike issued the challenge on Friday during the inauguration of the reconstructed Arab/Gbazango Road in Kubwa, where he highlighted the infrastructure achievements of the Federal Capital Territory Administration under President Bola Tinubu.
According to the minister, the FCT Administration has awarded contracts for 317 kilometres of roads across satellite towns since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
He said 221 kilometres had already been completed, while work was ongoing on the remaining 96 kilometres.
“As I speak to you, since the assumption of office by Mr President, roads covering 317 kilometres have been awarded in the satellite towns.
Out of that 317 kilometres, we have completed 221 kilometres, while 96 kilometres are ongoing,” Wike said.
He clarified that the figures applied only to projects in satellite towns and excluded other road developments across the Federal Capital Territory.
“This is only for the satellite towns, not the FCT as a whole. For the satellite towns, 317 kilometres awarded, 221 kilometres completed and 96 kilometres ongoing,” he added.
Wike also assured residents that two major road projects—the Apo-Karshi Road and the Bwari-Kubwa Road—would be completed before the end of the year.
READ ALSO: ‘Let Them Shout — I’ll Keep Building’, Tinubu Defies Critics at Abuja Road Launch
“Let me assure you, Mr President, the road from Apo to Karshi will be completed before the end of this year. The road from Bwari to Kubwa will be completed before the end of this year,” he said.
The minister maintained that the projects had significantly improved infrastructure in communities outside Abuja’s city centre, arguing that residents of satellite towns were experiencing the benefits of the Tinubu administration.
“How will satellite town people say they have not benefited from government? They have felt the impact of governance. It has never happened in the history of the administration of this country,” he stated.
Wike then challenged anyone questioning the accuracy of his figures to publicly present contrary evidence.
“If there’s anybody who has a contrary view, let him come out and challenge us that all this you are saying is not correct. I will resign as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” he declared.
Repeating the challenge, he said:
“Maybe you didn’t hear me well. Let me say it again so you hear it well.
If there’s anybody, I don’t know of any association you may belong to. I don’t know of any group you may belong to.
But if you know you have a contrary view to what I have said, I challenge you in the next 48 hours to come on national television and say that since this administration came, we have not awarded roads of 317 kilometres in the satellite towns and we have not completed 221 kilometres.
“I will resign as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.”
Wike attributed the pace of infrastructure development in the FCT to the support of President Tinubu and the cooperation of the National Assembly.
“One is happy, first of all, to commend you for the support you have given to us, and to commend the National Assembly for the support and relationship we have enjoyed with them,” Wike said.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to expanding infrastructure across the territory, declaring, “On your mandate, we shall stand.”