Wike Plans Tourist Destination Along Completed Apo-Karshi Road
By Matthew Eloyi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to transform the newly completed Apo-Karshi Road into a major tourist destination in Abuja.
Wike disclosed this on Wednesday after inspecting the completed road project, describing its delivery as evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructural development.
The minister said the road, which cuts through challenging terrain, had already attracted widespread public attention, with many residents and visitors trooping to the area to witness its transformation.
Impressed by the natural beauty and scenic landscape exposed by the road, Wike said the FCT Administration would harness the area’s unique topography by developing tourism facilities to attract visitors.
He disclosed that relevant departments had been directed to develop proposals for the establishment of a tourist centre along the corridor.
“There will be facilities that we have to put in this place. The department responsible for tourism will come up with what the government needs to put in place, but be assured that we will make it happen as a tourist center,” he said.
Wike recalled that the Apo-Karshi Road project was initially awarded to an indigenous contractor in 2010 but remained uncompleted for more than a decade despite substantial financial commitments.
According to him, repeated efforts to persuade the original contractor to complete the project proved unsuccessful, prompting the intervention of President Tinubu.
“We did all we could to persuade the contractor then to see that the job was fully implemented, but nothing was forthcoming.
“When it was brought to the attention of Mr President, considering the importance of this road, Tinubu directed that the contract be terminated and awarded to a more competent contractor,” he said.
He explained that the contract was subsequently re-awarded to construction company SCC, which he commended for completing the project within the November deadline despite public concerns over the cost of the contract.
The minister maintained that the administration’s priority was to deliver quality infrastructure that would improve the lives of residents, adding that the contractor had fulfilled its commitment to complete the road.
Wike further disclosed that the Apo-Karshi Road was among 10 to 12 major infrastructure projects scheduled for official inauguration across the FCT.
He said the administration would approach the Presidency to secure an earlier inauguration date for the road, possibly before the end of November, in view of the public interest generated by the project.
Expressing satisfaction with the positive reactions to the completed road, both on social media and among residents, Wike said the project reflected the Tinubu administration’s broader commitment to transforming Abuja through infrastructure development.
“Look at what is going on in Abuja today; look at the level of infrastructure. I am happy that people are happy, and that Nigerians have indeed seen the infrastructural development carried out by this present administration,” he said.