‎By Ahmed Akanbi

‎The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that about 70 per cent of projects completed by the FCT Administration (FCTA), under President Bola Tinubu, were contracts abandoned for 15 to 16 years.

‎Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Wike said the decision to revive the abandoned projects was in line with President Tinubu’s directive that viable government projects should not be left unfinished.

‎According to him, the FCT Administration prioritised completing inherited projects before embarking on new ones.

‎He argued that leaving the old projects untouched would have amounted to a waste of public funds and a denial of basic infrastructure to residents.

‎“The President made it clear that we should not abandon old projects. At the same time, we must also start new ones,” Wike said.

‎He added that most of the projects delivered in the last three years were awarded about 15 or 16 years ago but were left to decay by previous administrations.

‎The minister said the current FCT leadership chose to complete them so Nigerians could finally benefit from those investments.

‎“Most of the projects we have completed over the past three years were awarded about 15 or 16 years ago but were abandoned. We decided to complete them because Nigerians deserve to benefit from those investments.

‎”Today, I can confidently say that we have completed about 70 per cent of those abandoned projects,” he stated.

‎Wike explained that while efforts were focused on reviving old contracts, the administration also initiated new road and infrastructure projects across Abuja and the satellite towns.

‎He attributed the progress recorded in the FCT to President Tinubu’s support, particularly the decision to remove the FCT Administration from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), adding that the policy made funds more accessible and eased project execution.

‎The minister assured residents that the administration would sustain investment in roads and other critical infrastructure. He said the goal is to improve transportation, open up more districts, and enhance living conditions across the Federal Capital Territory.

‎Wike reiterated that completing inherited projects and starting new ones remain central to the FCT’s development agenda under the Renewed Hope administration.