Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has cautioned Area Council Chairmen against the unauthorised practice of naming streets constructed by the government after themselves or others without official approval.
Wike issued the warning on Wednesday while flagging off key road projects in Guzape District (A09) and the Asokoro AIT Neighbourhood (A04) in Abuja.
The Minister, who decried the trend, described it as “funny, fraudulent, and unacceptable,” noting that the administration was investing heavily in public infrastructure across the capital city.
“We cannot be building roads with taxpayers’ money only for people to wake up and name them after themselves or their associates. That is not possible,” Wike said.
He added that anyone found engaging in such acts must refund any money collected from unsuspecting individuals.
Wike emphasised that henceforth, streets in the FCT would only be named after individuals who had genuinely contributed to the development of the area.
“You can go and name roads in the satellite towns, but not in the city centre. Government must know who streets are being named after,” he stressed.
The Minister disclosed that the FCT Administration (FCTA) would soon introduce a strict policy framework to regulate street naming in line with Abuja’s master plan and ensure that only deserving individuals were honoured.
He explained that the ongoing infrastructure projects formed part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at ensuring equitable development and improved urban connectivity across the FCT.
“Mr President wants every part of Abuja to have good roads and infrastructure. Those who have lived here for years without access roads can now say Tinubu has made an impact. This is Renewed Hope in action,” Wike said.
He commended Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company, the contractor handling the projects, for its proven record of performance, urging the firm to maintain quality standards and complete the work on schedule.
“I have confidence in your ability to deliver these projects on time. Please employ our youths and women during this process so they can provide for their families,” he added.
Wike also directed the Mandate Secretary for Education to compile and publicly display records of all completed and ongoing school rehabilitation projects across the FCT, in what he called “Operation Show Your Report Card.”
“We came in August 2023. Nigerians deserve to see what we have done so far the schools completed, those ongoing, and those about to be flagged off. If the Secretary fails to produce that record, someone else will take the job,” he warned.
In her remarks, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said the provision of engineering infrastructure in Guzape (A09) and the Asokoro AIT Neighbourhood (A04) would boost inter-district connectivity and open up new areas for development.
“The road networks and associated infrastructure will enhance connectivity, reduce travel time, and decongest adjoining routes,” she said.
Mahmoud commended members of the National Assembly for their consistent support through budgetary appropriations and lauded Wike for his “dynamic and purposeful leadership” in driving infrastructural transformation in the capital.
The newly flagged-off roads are expected to ease traffic congestion, improve access, and enhance property value within the Guzape and Asokoro districts, further reinforcing Abuja’s transformation under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
