Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday used the inauguration of the newly completed Gwagwalada-Kuje Road to express Nigerians’ disappointment over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, urging former Nigeria international Joseph Yobo to relay the message to the national team.
Speaking before President Bola Tinubu, represented by the VP Shettima commissioned the project, Wike congratulated former Super Eagles captain Yobo but said football-loving Nigerians remained unhappy with the country’s recent performances.
“We have congratulated one of our own, Joseph Yobo,” Wike said.
“But let me use this medium, through you, to tell the Super Eagles that we are not happy. If nobody tells you that, let me tell you. That is why when they were clapping for you and they mentioned the Super Eagles, I said I would not clap.
“I watched the World Cup qualifiers and saw countries I had never heard of qualifying for the World Cup. I sat down for hours watching countries that are not known. Yet Nigerians, with not less than 13 players featuring all over the world, could not qualify.
“You, Joseph Yobo, should go and tell them that we are not happy.”
The minister made the remarks while welcoming President Tinubu to the 11th day of project commissioning in the FCT, commending the President for personally attending most of the inaugurations.
“Your Excellency, Mr President, let me join the Honourable Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, in welcoming you once again to the 11th day of the commissioning of projects.
“Under your administration, we do not take it for granted that you have been with us for not less than six or seven days out of these 11 days of commissioning.
“Mr President, I want to thank you sincerely.”
Wike said the Gwagwalada-Kuje Road project was conceived after the administration embarked on consultations across the six Area Councils shortly after assuming office in August 2023.
“One of the first things we did when we were appointed in August 2023 was to go round the six Area Councils and interact with traditional rulers, stakeholders, women and youths to find out exactly what they wanted from government.
“In fact, during one of those visits, the traditional rulers and stakeholders applauded this administration because, for the first time in the history of the FCTA, government officials came to sit with them and ask them directly what they wanted, instead of sitting in offices while people came to make requests on their behalf.
“We did not even know whether those requests reflected what the people truly wanted. This administration believes in the input of those who will benefit from government policies.”
He praised a traditional ruler from the area for prioritising the welfare of his people rather than personal gain.
“I have always said there are traditional rulers who genuinely mean well for their people.
“There are traditional rulers who believe contractors must sit with them before anything happens in their communities. But there are also those who simply ask what government can do to make their people happy and enable them feel the impact of governance.
“This traditional ruler is one of those people.”
According to Wike, the monarch drew the administration’s attention to the deplorable condition of a previously abandoned road linking the Airport Road corridor to communities in the area.
“He said, ‘Mr Minister and Honourable Minister of State, we talk about insecurity and we agree that insecurity is part of our problem. One reason is that many of these roads are not motorable. When crimes occur, it becomes difficult for security agencies to move in and intercept or arrest criminals.’
“He reminded us that the road from the Airport Road axis towards Kuje had been awarded before this administration came in but had been abandoned.
“He said criminals were using the road to wreak havoc and pleaded with us to bring the contractor back to site.
“I asked who the contractor was and they said Arab Contractors. I told him that if that was what the people wanted, they should rest assured that under this administration, the happiness of Mr President lies in the happiness of the people.
“When the people are happy, Mr President and his team are happy. When the people are unhappy, we feel sad because our constituents are unhappy.”
The minister said the administration fulfilled its promise to residents.
“I am happy that the people have seen that this administration keeps its promises.
“They now know that government can make promises and fulfil them.”
He recalled another request from residents for the construction of a road from Gwagwalada Junction to the Local Education Authority area and market.
“They told us, ‘This is our priority. We have a market there and if you can construct this road for us, it will help our people.’
“I asked them whether they preferred that to other roads and they said, ‘Yes, this one first.’
“I did not know they were setting a trap for us,” he said jokingly.
“After we completed that one and returned, they said, ‘What you have done, we have seen. But we still want more.’
“Of course, government exists to solve problems and address the challenges of the people.”
Wike said he personally inspected the Gwagwalada-Kuje route before approving the project.
“The traditional ruler then said, ‘Look at the Kuje road. It is a nightmare.’
“I told him I would first inspect it before approving any contract because we would no longer work solely on descriptions. We had to see the relevance of the road ourselves.
“When we travelled on that road, it took us almost two hours.
“I asked, ‘Are we travelling from one state to another? Are we in America? How can a journey within the FCT take two hours?’
“It was horrible. The Director of Roads said it was bad, but bad was an understatement. There was virtually no hope.”
He, however, noted the enormous agricultural potential of communities along the corridor.
“What we found was an area rich in agriculture, where people produced food but had no roads to transport their produce to the markets.
“It was then clear that intervention was necessary.”
Wike disclosed that President Tinubu approved the contract through the Federal Executive Council in early 2025.
“We came to the Federal Executive Council in January or February 2025 and, with you presiding, the award of this road to CGC Nigeria Limited was approved.
“The contractor asked me, ‘Sir, how are you going to fund this project?’
“I said, ‘That is not your problem. Your problem is how you will execute the work. Leave funding to us.’
“Somehow, somehow, God has always been on our side.
“Anything we want to do, we have always succeeded.
“So don’t ask me how it will work. I do not know where the money will come from, but I know the money will come.”
He said the contractor initially proposed completing the project in phases.
“I asked whether it would be possible to finish the project within our tenure.
“They said it would be done in two phases.
“The first phase would cover about seven kilometres on one carriageway, making a total of 14 kilometres.
“I said, ‘Let us see.’
“We came here morning and night to inspect the work, even during the rains.”
Expressing satisfaction with the pace of work, Wike announced that the first phase had been completed and gave an assurance on the remaining section.
“I am happy, Mr President, that today we are here and this first phase has been completed.
“The coordinator also assured us that by December, the second phase will be completed.”
According to him, the completed road would significantly improve connectivity and economic activities between communities.
“What this means is that people coming from Gwagwalada no longer have to pass through the airport route and struggle through terrible roads before getting to Kuje.
“Gwagwalada and Kuje are neighbours. They can now visit one another morning and night.
“That is what governance means.”
He added: “The people of Gwagwalada and the people of Kuje can now appreciate that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not a slogan.
“It is a reality.
“We have brought back hope to the hopeless.
“That is what you are doing, Mr President.
“I want to sincerely commend you and thank you.”
Wike thereafter invited President Tinubu to formally inaugurate the road project.
“On this note, let me invite Mr President to unveil and commission this project.
“Thank you and God bless you.”
Boluwatife Enome
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