The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the administration will develop the Apo-Karshi road into a tourist attraction following the completion of the long-abandoned project.

The minister stated this on Wednesday during an inspection of the road in Abuja, noting that the administration would provide facilities to support its proposed transformation into a tourist destination.

He said President Bola Tinubu ordered the termination of the initial contract after the indigenous contractor failed to deliver the project despite receiving full payment.

“This road was awarded in 2010 to an indigenous contractor. We did all we could to persuade the contractor to ensure that the job was fully implemented, even though we had fully paid. But the contractor was not forthcoming,” he said.

The minister said after the matter was brought to Mr Tinubu’s attention, he directed that the contract be terminated and re-awarded to a more competent company.

“When this contract was awarded, some people were asking how we could award it at that amount. But we were not deterred. All we were concerned about was the happiness and comfort of the people,” he said.

He described the Apo-Karshi road as one of the most publicised projects handled by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), adding that the difficult terrain made its completion a significant engineering achievement.

The minister said the road was evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, urging Nigerians to assess the government’s performance holistically rather than judging it on isolated issues.

“Look at what is going on in Abuja today, the level of infrastructure and how it has turned out to be a tourist centre. I am happy that people are happy and that Nigerians have seen the infrastructure development being carried out by the Tinubu administration,” he said.

The minister said he acknowledged the role of journalists in drawing public attention to the project, stating that their reports helped Nigerians to appreciate the scale of work undertaken on the road.

On the proposed inauguration, he said the FCT Administration was working around the President’s schedule, as several other projects were being considered for inauguration.

He listed projects at the ISEX, Southern Parkway and Kaura District among those inspected, adding that between 10 and 12 projects could be included in the inauguration.

Mr Wike expressed hope that Mr Tinubu would inaugurate the Apo-Karshi road before the end of November.

On the proposed tourist facilities, the minister said the administration would work with relevant departments to determine the amenities required around the road.

He explained that he rejected a proposal by the FCDA coordinator, arguing that the authority’s primary responsibility was road construction, while the department responsible for tourism should determine the facilities needed.

“But be sure that I will make it happen as a tourist centre,” Mr Wike said.