Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has assured that the Apo/Karshi road will be completed within the next 12 months under a new construction company, SCC Construction Company.

Wike, who stated this shortly after an inspection tour of the ongoing Apo/Karshi, Bwari/Kubwa and Gbazango road projects in AMAC and Bwari Area Councils of the FCT on Monday, explained the FCT Administration’s decision to terminate the contract for the long-delayed Apo/Karshi Road project, stressing that the action became necessary to end public suffering and ensure timely completion.

He confirmed that the contract for the Apo/Karshi road, originally awarded in 2011, was cancelled and immediately re-awarded to a more competent firm, SCC Construction Company, with a completion timeline of 12 months.

He said, “Because of the importance of that road, we felt that we had to relieve the hardship on the people there and then connect to Apo and Wasa. So, I think it’s a major decision we took for the interest of the people of Abuja.”

The Minister explained that upon assuming office in 2023, the previous contractor, Kakarta Construction Nigeria Limited, was given a final opportunity to deliver the project within six months but noted that despite multiple visits to the site, no meaningful work was done.

He said, “Unfortunately, it was a very big disappointment and therefore, we had no choice but to terminate it and give it to a more competent and serious contractor, which is SCC.”

Describing the Apo–Karshi project as vital for alleviating hardship on residents, connecting communities to Apo and Wasa, and decongesting major corridors, the Minister said the entire 14-kilometre stretch of the road will be reconstructed to meet the required standard.

He expressed confidence in the capacity of the new contractor to deliver the project within the agreed schedule.

“I believe SCC is a major company that has been carrying out construction in Abuja and they have what it takes in terms of equipment. We have gone to Apo–Karshi several times but we never saw the equipment of the previous contractor. But look at it today, you can see that SCC is a company that is very serious,” the Minister stated.

He also clarified that the contract was re-awarded through an emergency procurement process, which he said was essential to avoid further delays that would have been caused by a prolonged standard procurement cycle.