The Federal Capital Territory Administration has implemented more than 60 percent of its 2026 capital budget despite the late release of the budget, the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has said.
Wike disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing projects across Abuja, saying the administration had continued to implement the budget steadily despite the delay.
“So we are implementing the budget steadily, we’re progressing, and we are happy with the work we’re doing, at least we can say for today, for the 2026 capital budget, we have not done below 60%, in spite of the fact that the budget was released late.”
He said the delayed release of the budget had affected payments for some ongoing projects, particularly those being handled by Julius Berger, but said work resumed immediately after the budget became available.
“It was because of the late budget that we were unable to pay, particularly Julius Berger, for this particular job. But when we got the budget, work had to start immediately, and we had to make them come back, because the budgets have been released.”
Wike spoke after inspecting major infrastructure projects in Kaura, Life Camp, Gwarimpa and the IBB Golf Course, several of which he said were on course for completion between November and January.
At the Kaura district project, being handled by Infiouest, Wike said the contractor had given an assurance that the road and bridges would be handed over by December 15.
He said the N5 project in Life Camp, being executed by Julius Berger, was also expected to be completed in December, including the adjoining road linking the project to the Old Keffi Road.
At N16 in Gwarimpa, where CBC Global is handling a major road and bridge project across difficult terrain, Wike said the contractor had assured the administration that the project would be completed by the first week of January.
“I was doubting if we can meet up with the time, but the company reassured that they will hand it over latest by the first week of January.”
According to him, the completion of the N16 project would significantly improve the Gwarimpa area, given the scale of the infrastructure involved.
“If that job is completed, obviously, the entire Gwarimpa area will be a different thing altogether. That is a very huge infrastructure going on.”
Wike also inspected the IBB Golf Course, where rehabilitation work is being carried out by Julius Berger following the closure of the facility amid a dispute among some of its members.
He said President Bola Tinubu had directed the FCT Administration to take the necessary steps to reopen the facility, which he described as important not only to the President but also to diplomats.
According to Wike, the contractor had assured the administration that the facility would be ready for a tournament scheduled for November.
The minister said the progress recorded on the projects showed that the FCT was maintaining its infrastructure programme despite the initial budgetary delay.
He also dismissed suggestions that the approaching election period had created uncertainty over the implementation of the FCT budget, insisting that the administration was focused on delivering its capital projects.
“Without the budget, of course, these projects wouldn’t go on.”
Wike said the completion of the projects before the election period would provide a significant boost to infrastructure development in the nation’s capital.
“So, I’m happy if these projects are completed before the election time; it will be a Christmas gift to the residents of Abuja by Mr. President.”
