The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence in the capacity of indigenous contractors to deliver quality infrastructure projects, declaring that local construction firms have now come of age and can compete favourably with their foreign counterparts.
Wike made the remarks on Monday during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Karu road network in Abuja, one of the projects inaugurated on Day 14 of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s project commissioning exercise.
The Minister affirmed that his confidence in Nigerian contractors was strengthened after an indigenous construction company successfully executed the War College Roads project, prompting the FCT Administration to entrust it with the Karu road project.
“I’ve always believed that when you give local contractors money to do work, they start eating the profits before the job is done, and before you know it, you start going to the police to arrest them. I said I would not give myself that headache,” Wike said.
He explained that the contractor had approached him for an opportunity to prove its competence and eventually exceeded expectations.
“Last year, Mr. President commissioned the War College Roads. That was a trial project we used to test this local contractor. He disappointed me by letting me know that local contractors have come of age and can do what other foreign companies can do,” he stated.
According to the Minister, the contractor demonstrated exceptional commitment throughout the execution of the Karu road project by continuing work even when payments had not been made.
“I’ve seen that whether the money is there to pay him or not, he will never abandon the site. He will continue to work because he believes that at the end of the day, he will be paid. It is rare these days to find people who commit their own resources and carry out this kind of assignment.”
Wike commended the contractor for fulfilling his promise to complete the project in time for President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office despite initial concerns over the complexity of the drainage works.
Reflecting on the transformation of the Karu community, he stressed that the newly completed road network had significantly improved the area’s landscape and stimulated development.
“As you are coming to this area, you can see that the entire landscape has changed. This is what development is supposed to be,” he said.
The Minister also disclosed that President Tinubu approved the construction of all roads linking Karu town after residents requested additional road projects beyond the one initially flagged off. “Everything you requested for, Mr. President gave approval that every road linking Karu town should be constructed.”
Wike noted that the road projects have already begun to positively impact economic activities in the area, including increasing property values and attracting new construction.
He appealed to residents of the FCT to continue supporting the Tinubu administration, assuring them that no community would be left behind in the government’s infrastructure development agenda.
“We want to assure every community and every district in the FCT that under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the dividends of democracy will touch every area. All we want from you is to continue to pray for and support this government,” he added.
