The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured residents that the Inner Southern Expressway, also known as Goodluck Jonathan Way, will be completed and delivered by December.
Wike gave the assurance on Tuesday after inspecting the project alongside the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District, Abuja.
He said the 10-kilometre road project, awarded in 2014, stretches from the Southern Parkway to Ring Road II at Galadimawa and includes five bridges.
According to the minister, the project is one of the few inherited road projects yet to be completed by the current administration, alongside the Apo-Karshi Road.
He expressed confidence that the contractor would complete the remaining six kilometres of the road by the end of December, subject to the availability of funds.
Describing the project as critical to the development of the FCT, Wike said discussions were ongoing with the Ministry of Finance to secure the funds needed for its completion.
“We’ll continue to dialogue with the Minister of Finance to see how to access funds and pay off the contractor to finish the project.
“The project is key to us and that of course will change the entire landscape of the FCT.
“The Apo-Karshi road awarded in 2010 is almost completed. We were there yesterday,” he said.
The minister said completing the project would fulfil President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to delivering projects inherited from previous administrations, particularly those awarded between 2010 and 2023.
“It will be a remarkable achievement for this administration to finish all projects awarded by previous administrations in order not to have abandoned projects everywhere.
“So, it’s a good development for us. We’re happy with what we’ve done,” Wike said.
He also inspected the construction of the two service carriageways of the Southern Parkway, stretching from Arterial Road S20 (Oladipo Diya Way) in Gaduwa District to Ring Road II.
The Southern Parkway is a major transport corridor linking several densely populated residential districts across Phases I to IV of the Federal Capital City.
“You know, this road was among the key projects inaugurated to mark Tinubu’s third year in office. We have come to see what they’ve done.
“The contractors promised to hand over the project by end of December and I believe them,” he said.
Commenting on the recent political reconciliation with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike described the development as a positive step.
“There is no sin in politics.
“If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that.
“What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and decides to take the right path,” the minister said.
Wike welcomed Fubara back into his political fold, saying the governor’s decision would strengthen support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I said during my last media chat that he has no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” he said.
