The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday announced a decisive push to accelerate key infrastructure projects across Abuja, confirming the termination of the long-delayed Apo–Karshi road contract after more than a decade of stalled progress.
Wike made the disclosure during an inspection tour of ongoing works, including the newly approved 8-kilometre Bazango dual carriageway in Kubwa. He said the project was awarded through emergency procurement due to its urgency and the need to ease traffic pressure in the area.
The minister expressed frustration over the repeated failures that plagued the Apo–Karshi road, first awarded in 2010 to Mangrovetech — a company later rebranded as Kakatar CE Limited and linked to a relative of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Despite multiple contract variations and renewed commitments made in 2023, he said the contractor consistently failed to deliver.
“The contractor agreed to return to site and promised that within six months the project would be delivered. Unfortunately, it was a very big disappointment, and we had no choice but to terminate it,” Wike told journalists.
The FCT Administration has now handed the job to SCC, a construction firm Wike described as competent and reliable. He explained that emergency procurement was necessary to avoid a fresh bidding process that could delay work for another six months, worsening the hardships faced by residents of Apo, Karshi and Wassa, especially with the rainy season approaching.
Wike said SCC will rebuild the entire 13–14km stretch of the road from scratch, noting that earlier work by the previous contractor would be removed for failing to meet acceptable standards.
The minister declined to say whether the government plans to seek a refund from the terminated contractor, insisting that the priority is to ensure the project is completed on schedule.
Responding to concerns about SCC’s 12-month completion timeline — after the project had dragged for 14 years — Wike said the administration was no longer making “emotional” decisions.
