FCT Minister Hails Progress On Arterial Road N16 Interchange, Pledges Full Funding

 

… Denies Being Arrested Abroad 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work on the crucial Arterial road N16 project which links major Districts of Maitama, Katampe, Jahi and Gwarimpa in Abuja.

He conveyed his feelings in Abuja on Friday, December 5, 2025 shortly after he conducted an inspection of the ongoing construction work for the Full Scope Development of Arterial Road N16 and its accompanying interchanges.

Addressing journalists after the exercise, the Minister commended the contractor, CBC Global, for the rapid and high-quality nature of the work, describing the progress as 'really amazing'.

Barr. Wike recalled visiting the site in November 2024 when only foundational piling work was underway and expressed genuine surprise and satisfaction with the contractor's performance, noting that they had done very well and had promised to complete the entire interchange within the next three months.

According to a statement by the Assistant Director, Press, Office of the Minister, Ogaga Ikogho, on Friday, the Minister who also stated that he was particularly impressed by the contractor's sustained effort and quality of work despite the Administration not having fully funded the project, pledged to ensure the job is now well funded so that the speedy completion can be achieved.

"Let me first of all commend the contractor CBC Global. It’s really amazing. This contract was awarded before we came on board and I know that I came to this site last year November, 2024. At that time, they were doing the piling work. From what we’ve seen, the contractors have done very well and they have promised that in the next three months, this interchange would have been completed.

“What surprises me is the confidence they have. Even though we have not funded them very well. You can see the level of job that they have done. I’m really impressed and I’m going to make sure that this job is well funded so that they will be able to complete it. The quality of job is quite encouraging and we want to thank Mr. President for the confidence he also has in us.

“I’m so happy, and this will decongest the traffic situation in Gwarimpa Estate. It’s really amazing. I’m sure residents here will be happy at the end of the day when this interchange is completed” he stated.

The Minister also used the occasion to swiftly dismiss recent rumors circulating in the social media about his purported arrest outside the country, describing the reports as the work of his political detractors.

He confirmed that he was on an inspection tour in Abuja when the rumours began, referencing similar past false claims about his health. “Remember last time, they said they were sick and they had been flown abroad; this time around, they said they had been arrested in France. I’m here doing my job” he said.

Barr. Wike stressed the importance of remaining focused on his mandate, stating that critics will not always be happy when one is doing well. "I’m doing my job. So, it’s for you to remain focused... Critics will always not be happy that you are doing well… People will like to distract you but the moment you are focused and you know what you are doing, you will not be perturbed by whatever they say.

“So, we are focused and we will not be distracted”, he maintained, and reassured the public that the Administration remained committed to making Abuja competitive with other world class cities.

The FCT Minister equally addressed the recent defection of 16 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Rivers State House of Assembly and acknowledged the constitutional provision allowing lawmakers to defect when their party is factionalized.

"Everybody has a right to make a choice when the party is factionalized. The requirement of the constitution is that when the party is factionalized, they are bound to leave the party."

While confirming that he remains a PDP member and will continue to work with other members, the Minister emphasized that the development serves as a warning and urged the PDP to put their house in order.

“At the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it is the party that is losing", he said.