Wike Plans Tourist Attraction Along Abuja’s Apo-Karshi Road

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the completed Apo-Karshi Road will be developed into a tourist attraction as part of efforts to enhance infrastructure and tourism in Abuja.

Wike disclosed this on Wednesday during an inspection of the road, which was initially awarded in 2010 but remained uncompleted for several years.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu ordered the termination of the original contract after the indigenous contractor failed to deliver the project despite receiving full payment.

According to Wike, the President’s intervention paved the way for the contract to be re-awarded to a more competent company because of the road’s strategic importance to residents and the development of the FCT.

“This road was awarded in 2010 to an indigenous contractor. We did all we could to persuade the contractor to ensure that the job was fully implemented, even though we had fully paid. But the contractor was not forthcoming,” he said.

Wike said the administration remained undeterred by criticisms over the cost of the new contract, insisting that its priority was to deliver infrastructure that would improve residents’ lives.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work, describing the Apo-Karshi Road as one of the most publicised projects undertaken by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The minister noted that the difficult terrain presented significant engineering challenges, adding that reactions on social media showed that many Nigerians were impressed by the scale of the project.

Wike said the road demonstrated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and urged Nigerians to assess the government’s performance beyond isolated issues.

On the proposed commissioning, Wike said the FCT Administration was working to secure a date that would fit into President Tinubu’s schedule.

He disclosed that several other projects were being considered for inauguration, including developments at ISEX, the Southern Parkway and Kaura District.

According to him, between 10 and 12 projects were being lined up for commissioning.

Wike expressed hope that Tinubu would inaugurate the Apo-Karshi Road before the end of November.

On plans to establish public facilities around the road to support its proposed tourism status, the minister said the administration would work with relevant departments to provide appropriate amenities.

He explained that he had rejected a proposal from the FCDA coordinator, arguing that the authority’s primary responsibility was road construction, while tourism-related facilities should be determined by the department responsible for tourism.

“But be sure that I will make it happen as a tourist centre,” Wike assured.