The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction with the finishing work at the nearly completed Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal, warning that substandard delivery would not be tolerated ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s planned commissioning in May.
Wike, who spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during an inspection of several ongoing infrastructure projects in the city, said that while the terminal was 90 per cent complete and on schedule, the quality of finishing was far from acceptable.
“We are now at the Mabushi bus terminal, which is almost ready, but I have told the Secretary, Transport Secretariat that a lot of work has to be done. I have pointed out some of the things I thought should be corrected. This is because I will not accept the finishing. The finishing is key for this kind of project,” Wike stated.
He directed the contractor handling the project to return to the site and fix the identified lapses to ensure that the FCT administration gets full value for its investment.
The minister, who also inspected the ongoing construction of the Apo-Wasa left-wing service lane on the Outer Southern Expressway and two strategic interchanges linking Wole Soyinka Way with Murtala Mohammed Way and connecting Utako and Jabi Districts, expressed satisfaction with their pace of work, and confirmed they would be ready for inauguration in May.
Wike added that the construction of additional bus and taxi terminals in Kugbo and the Central Area was also progressing well and would be delivered as scheduled.
Speaking further, the minister addressed recent land administration reforms in the FCT. He insisted that land speculators would no longer be accommodated in the city’s development plans. According to him, any land allocation not developed within two years would be revoked.
Wike said, “Somebody who said he wants land in Abuja but cannot develop it in two years is simply a land speculator.
“Also, if you have been given a land allocation, you should be able to pay within 21 days to have your Certificate of Occupancy (C of O). What is wrong with that?”
He also clarified that the reforms did not require new laws.
Wike said he is empowered to implement administrative regulations to guide land management in the capital territory.
The move, Wike explained, was not only to curb land speculation but also to boost revenue generation for the government and promote responsible urban development.
“We will not allow people to hold onto land for four years looking for buyers. Anybody can say whatever he wants to say — the policy stands,” he added.
