The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to transform the newly completed Apo-Karshi Road into a major tourism destination in Abuja, with the proposed development expected to include recreational facilities and other public amenities.
Wike disclosed this on Wednesday, November 11, during an inspection of the road, where he expressed satisfaction with the completed infrastructure and said the FCT Administration would work towards making the corridor an attraction for residents and visitors.
According to the minister, the administration intends to take advantage of the road’s landscape and engineering features by introducing facilities that would encourage tourism and recreational activities.
He explained that the relevant departments would be responsible for identifying the facilities required to support the proposed tourism development.
Wike, however, stressed that the project would not end with the construction of the road, assuring residents that the administration was committed to providing the necessary amenities to make the area a tourist destination.
Road project abandoned for over 16 years
The Apo-Karshi Road was initially awarded in 2010 to an indigenous construction company but remained incomplete for more than 16 years.
Wike attributed the prolonged delay to the failure of the original contractor to complete the project despite receiving full payment.
He explained that the FCT Administration made several efforts to persuade the contractor to deliver the project before the matter was presented to President Bola Tinubu.
According to the minister, Tinubu subsequently directed that the original contract be terminated and awarded to another company with the capacity to complete the work.
The intervention paved the way for the project to be re-awarded, allowing construction to continue after years of delays.
Wike said the decision to proceed with a new contract was informed by the strategic importance of the road to residents and the broader development of the Federal Capital Territory.
He also acknowledged that the new contract attracted criticism over its cost but maintained that the administration remained focused on delivering the infrastructure.
Wike speaks on engineering challenges
The FCT minister described the Apo-Karshi Road as one of the major infrastructure projects undertaken by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), noting that the difficult terrain presented significant engineering challenges during construction.
He said the scale of the project had attracted public attention, particularly on social media, where images and videos of the completed road generated reactions from Nigerians.
Wike also commended journalists for bringing the project to public attention, saying media coverage had helped people appreciate the nature and scale of the construction work.
He urged Nigerians to assess the Tinubu administration’s performance across different sectors, rather than judging its activities based on isolated issues.
Road among projects lined up for inauguration
Speaking on the proposed commissioning, Wike said the FCT Administration was working around President Tinubu’s schedule to determine a suitable date for the inauguration of several completed infrastructure projects.
He disclosed that projects at ISEX, the Southern Parkway and Kaura District had also been inspected as part of preparations for the proposed inauguration exercise.
According to him, between 10 and 12 projects were being considered for commissioning, with the Apo-Karshi Road among the major developments expected to be included.
The minister expressed optimism that President Tinubu would inaugurate the road before the end of November 2026.
Tourism facilities still being planned
On the proposed tourism development, Wike explained that the administration would involve the appropriate departments in determining the recreational and public facilities required around the road.
He disclosed that he had rejected a proposal submitted by the FCDA coordinator, explaining that the authority’s primary responsibility was road construction, while the department responsible for tourism should determine the appropriate facilities for the proposed destination.
He nevertheless reaffirmed his commitment to the plan, assuring residents that the administration would pursue the transformation of the area.
The proposed development could create additional recreational opportunities in Abuja while encouraging visitors to explore areas outside the city’s established commercial and administrative districts.
However, the tourism facilities have yet to be fully specified, and their eventual impact will depend on the government’s implementation plans and provision of supporting infrastructure.
The completion of the Apo-Karshi Road marks the end of a prolonged construction process, while the proposed tourism initiative represents a new phase in the FCT Administration’s plans for the corridor.
