Newly constructed Abuja road infrastructure is driving increased real estate development and investment along emerging corridors in the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, has said. Wike made the disclosure on Friday while inspecting the ongoing access road project to the FCT Fire Service Station in Kaura District, which connects Ring Road II to Oladipo Diya Way in Gaduwa.
The minister said developers were increasingly taking advantage of new road corridors as improved connectivity opened up previously less-developed areas for construction and investment. He added that the expansion of infrastructure was generating broader socio-economic benefits, including investment opportunities and employment prospects for young people across the FCT.
The Kaura project consists of one collector road, two important local streets and a minor access road. According to the minister, the infrastructure is intended to improve movement within rapidly developing districts while providing better access to adjoining communities and neighbourhoods.
Wike described the project as strategically important to the area’s development, saying its completion would significantly change the physical landscape and encourage economic activities around the corridor. He also expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction, particularly the completion of the bridge component since his previous inspection.
The minister explained that the initial section of the project connects to the newly completed bridge but said the contractor had been instructed to extend the road to Oladipo Diya Way. He said the extension would improve the overall usefulness of the project and provide a more effective connection between surrounding areas.
“The first segment of this road is building the bridge that leads to that point, but we have told them that it should be extended to Oladipo Diya Way
“I have put big pressure on them that it will be very appropriate to also include the extensions so that it will be meaningful,” he said.
Wike said the contractor remained confident of completing the project within the original schedule despite the proposed extension. He noted that the contractor had maintained that the project would be handed over by December, although it was unclear whether the additional extension would be completed within the same timeframe.
“They are still insisting that by December they will hand over the project. What I do not know is if the extension will be included.
“This project will completely alter and improve the topography and landscape of the area once fully completed,” he added.
The minister also pledged continued government support for the contractor and said outstanding payments would be processed promptly to prevent delays. He said the move was intended to sustain the pace of construction and support timely delivery.
“We are happy with the job they have carried out. We are going back to see that payments are made to them so they can expedite action. “We believe that the company will do their best to meet up with the time,” Wike said.
The development forms part of ongoing infrastructure expansion in Abuja, where new road connections are opening up corridors for residential, commercial and other property developments.
