The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured residents that the long-abandoned Inner Southern Expressway, popularly known as Goodluck Jonathan Way, will be completed and commissioned by December 2026.
Speaking on Tuesday after inspecting the 10-kilometre road project and the ongoing construction of the Southern Parkway service carriageways in Abuja, Wike said the project, awarded in December 2014, had remained unfinished for over a decade but would now be delivered before the end of the year, subject to the release of funds.
He explained that the expressway stretches from the Southern Parkway to Ring Road II at Galadimawa and includes five bridges. According to him, only six kilometres of the road remain to be completed.
Wike said the project, alongside the Apo-Karshi Road, was among the few inherited from previous administrations that President Bola Tinubu’s government was determined to complete.
He noted that discussions were ongoing with the Ministry of Finance to ensure the contractor receives the necessary funding to meet the December deadline.
Describing the expressway as a major infrastructure project, Wike said its completion would significantly transform Abuja’s road network and improve connectivity across the Federal Capital City.
He added that the Tinubu administration was committed to completing all inherited projects awarded between 2010 and 2023 to eliminate abandoned projects and promote continuity in governance.
The minister also inspected the construction of the Southern Parkway service carriageways linking Oladipo Diya Way in Gaduwa District to Ring Road II. He expressed confidence that the contractor would also deliver that project by December.
On politics, Wike welcomed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s reconciliation with his political camp and renewed support for President Tinubu.
Reacting to Fubara’s declaration of loyalty to Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, Wike said there was “no sin in politics” if a politician acknowledged past mistakes and chose the right path.
He maintained that Fubara had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that supported his emergence as governor, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen political support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.