By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barr.
Nyesom Wike, has given assurance the new constructed bus terminals across the capital city will commence full operations after the approval of the conttact by the Federal Executive Council ( FEC), adding that the s scope is beyond ministerial scope.
He however expressed the Administration’s commitment to the full operation of the newly constructed bus terminals across the territory.
Wike who spoke to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, February 12, 2026, after a routine inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects, explained that the management of the terminals is subject to FEC intervention, beyound ministerial approval limits.
The minister disclosed that the FCT Administration had preferred a private-sector management model rather than using the Transportation Secretariat, to ensure that the facilities are handled by individuals with proven professional competence,with the optimisim that the proposal will be approved, when presented at the next FEC meeting, for immediate commencement of operations.
Wike said, “We are waiting for the Federal Executive Council to approve the operational contract. The contract is beyond the ministerial approval and so it requires the Federal Executive Council approval. I know that in the next FEC meeting, it will be presented. It’s not as easy as we thought.”
“We said we are not going to allow the Transport Secretariat to manage it; it will be handled by private individuals who have the competence. So, we believe in the next Federal Executive Council meeting, it will be approved and once that is approved, we hit the road”.
The Minister who explained the progress of several high-priority projects said it is aimed at decongesting the city and boosting economic activity.
The minister stated that the Wuse-to-Central Business Districts link road project handled by Levante Construction will be completed and handed over by June this year.
He expressed satisfaction at the high-quality of the access road to the Mabushi bus terminal, being handled by Setraco, adding that the project is likely to be ready for inauguration during the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Other major sites inspected were the Arterial Road N1 connecting Wuye district and Ring Road 2 (RR2), managed by Arab Contractors, which is slated for completion by the end of the year, as well as the 17-kilometer Dei-Dei/Karmo road, which traverses densely populated communities such as Dei-Dei, Gwagwa, Idu, Karmo and Jiwa, eventually linking to the Life Camp axis of the Obafemi Awolowo way.
This road corridor which is critical for opening up the FCT and is also scheduled for inauguration during Mr.
President’s third anniversary.
“You can attest to the fact that we have really opened up the Federal Capital Territory. Mr. President is doing quite a lot and I’m so happy we have been given the opportunity to also contribute our own quota. There are so many projects that touch the lives of the people and improve economic activities of the areas”,Wike said.
The Minister revealed that the projects are funded primarily through the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) rather than the Federation Account allocation. He explained that an aggressive and successful drive for IGR has provided the necessary liquidity to maintain construction momentum, noting that the Federation Account allocation barely covers the FCTA’s salary obligations.
Touching infrastructual security , the minister disclosed that the administration is taking decisive steps to end the vandalism of streetlights in the FCT.
The Minister pointed out that under the new contracts with CCECC and CGC, advanced security features and a centralized situation room for real-time monitoring are being integrated into the lighting systems.
According to him, the CCECC has nearly completed the airport road installation, adding that the new technology-driven approach will replace the need for physical police presence at every pole, making the infrastructure more resilient against criminal activities.
Wike equally reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to delivering projects that directly touches the lives of FCT residents under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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