By Hudu Yakubu, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is currently devising strategies to ensure effective funding of projects within the territory.
In a meeting with contractors on Monday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, highlighted the need to diversify funding sources beyond the national budget in order to address the prevalent issue of abandoned projects in the region.
Expressing his disappointment with the number of unfinished projects scattered across the territory, Wike emphasized that there are no valid excuses for leaving these projects incomplete.
The minister pledged to mobilize contractors responsible for short-term projects and insisted that diversifying funding options was a crucial approach to prevent project abandonment, as it would enable timely payment to contractors.
“Many residents have voiced concerns about the abandonment of projects, particularly in regards to road infrastructure, which is a fundamental element of any city,” Wike stated.
“While we are addressing issues of sanitation, street lighting, and shanties, roads play a vital role. Therefore, we are formulating strategies for a structured funding approach to minimize project completion challenges.”
“We are determined to ensure that every contractor returns to their respective sites; not only that, they will have direct supervision from my office and the Minister of State,” he added.
The minister also revealed that immediate interventions would be made on key projects such as the Abuja Metro Line, as well as the resurfacing of road networks in Garki 1, Wuse 1, and certain parts of Maitama.
He emphasized the FCTA’s specific mandate to promptly complete the rail project, stating, “Mr. President has expressed his desire to ride on the Metro line, making it a pivotal project that must be accomplished.”
Furthermore, Wike acknowledged the lack of supervision as a hindrance to infrastructure development and warned that under his leadership, there would be no compromises on quality and standards.
“If some individuals have been compromising standards in the past, it won’t continue with me. I will not accept subpar work,” he asserted.
“We are going to restructure the way we fund projects in collaboration with the Hon. Minister of State. Funding will no longer solely rely on the national budget; we will also explore internally generated revenue sources,” Wike concluded.
