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Criticises FCT Senator Kingibe for speaking grammar without dividends
By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has flagged off the emergency rehabilitation and dualisation of the 5.4-kilometre Karu Road, promising that the project will be completed within 10 months.
At the ceremony held in Karu, within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), he pledged to revamp infrastructure and improve the quality of life for residents under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking to the gathering, Wike—the principal advocate for FCT development—emphasised the strategic importance of the road project for Karu and satellite towns. He assured residents of the installation of solar-powered streetlights and urged the community to take ownership of the project’s success.
“This is your turn, the people of Karu. Make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about bringing back hope to our people, and with this road, Karu’s environment will be transformed. I will personally monitor the project, and I want to assure you it will be completed within 10 months,” Wike stated.
He credited Abuja Municipal Area Council Chairman, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, for persistent lobbying efforts, and praised former Senator Philip Aduda for his continued support towards the advancement of Karu.
Wike also lauded the contractor, Abdul Val Nigeria Limited—recognised for their timely delivery of previous projects, such as the 16-kilometre Bwari dual carriageway commissioned earlier in June.
Warning against delays due to the rainy season, the Minister encouraged the contractor to work round the clock and confirmed that mobilisation payments had already been completed.
At the event, Wike criticised Senator Ireti Kingibe—the only legislator representing Abuja in the National Assembly—with whom he has had several public disagreements.
Wike accused Kingibe of “speaking grammar” on television without delivering tangible benefits to the people of the FCT.
Kingibe has frequently challenged Wike’s management style, asserting that her inputs as Senator have been ignored in the FCT administration’s decision-making.
Responding indirectly, Wike said:
“But when you have an opportunity to relate with your people, you relate with them well. It is not grammar. Grammar does not bring projects. It is a relationship with people. It is not to say, I’m a senator.
“Nobody is inviting me to have a drink. What we are talking about is bringing something to the people. Dividends of democracy,” Wike added.
In contrast, Wike praised Aduda, highlighting his ongoing influence in helping secure projects for Abuja even after leaving office.
“Also, one of your sons who is no longer in government… Senator Tanimu Aduda has been somebody who believes in the people of Abuja. I saw him last night. He came to me, and he said, Sir, this is an opportunity now. Now that you are doing this Karu dualisation, there are some other small roads; if you join them, it will open the whole of Karu.
“And so, because I know he means well for his people. I know that he talks well about his people, I conceded to him. And so, the people of Karu, this is your turn, and we’ll make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to.
“And so we have added these other roads to this road we are doing now. One, we are going to rebuild the Customs Clinic Junction to the CBN Quarters Junction. We are going to rebuild immediately the Customs Clinic Junction to EFCC. We are also going to rebuild the NIA Quarters Road, we are going to rebuild Primus Hospital Road,” Wike stated.
The Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to people-oriented projects, reminding the public of a recently launched water supply initiative for Karu and nearby communities.
“On behalf of the people of Karu and indeed the FCT, I want to extend our gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda continues to manifest in projects that touch lives. I also thank His Excellency Barrister Nyesom Wike for his programmatic leadership that has turned the face of Abuja around,” Mahmoud said.
Details shared by Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), outlined the scope of work, which includes site clearance, earthworks, culverts, lined drains, walkways, dual carriageway construction, multiple asphalt layers, and solar-powered streetlights.
“This road symbolises more than just a road; it will complete other road networks in the Nyanya-Karshi axis for free and easy movement of traffic,” Zulkiflu added, assuring the public of the project’s timely delivery.
