By Remi Johnson
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to construct a modern bus terminals in Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils as part of efforts to expand infrastructure development beyond Abuja city centre.
Speaking during the July live media chat in Abuja, Wike said contracts had already been awarded for the construction of new hospital facilities, while plans had been concluded to establish modern bus terminals in Gwagwalada and Bwari.
According to the Minister, the projects form part of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) strategy to improve social and transport infrastructure across the satellite towns, ensuring balanced development throughout the FCT.
Wike explained that the projects are being funded through improved revenue generation, noting that the FCTA has significantly increased its monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) since he assumed office as Minister.
According to him, the FCTA’s monthly collections have risen from about ₦9 billion to over ₦40 billion, following strategic reforms approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister attributed the remarkable increase to measures introduced to block revenue leakages and strengthen the collection of land-based taxes, including Certificates of Occupancy and ground rents.
Reflecting on the progress, Wike said: “When we came on board, our IGR was a mere ₦9 billion a month, but as I speak to you today, we have been able to improve it to forty-something billion. So when people now say, ‘FCT is working, FCT is working,’ it’s working because somebody has made it work.”
He stressed that the revenue growth was the result of deliberate policy reforms and administrative discipline, adding that the improved financial position has enabled the FCT Administration to accelerate infrastructure delivery and improve public service across the territory.
Wike further disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the administration to prioritise the completion of ongoing and abandoned projects instead of initiating new ones unnecessarily.
According to him, nearly 70 percent of the projects delivered by the current administration were inherited from previous governments but had been abandoned.
He cited the Apo-Karshi Road, which had remained incomplete for about 16 years, assuring residents that the project would be completed under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Minister added that the achievements recorded by the FCT Administration demonstrate the importance of accountability, prudent financial management and purposeful leadership in delivering sustainable development and improved living standards for residents.