Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday declared that the ongoing construction of roads and water infrastructure in satellite towns and rural communities across the FCT has begun to yield positive security and economic benefits, particularly for farmers and residents in previously neglected areas.
Speaking during a live media chat in Abuja, the minister said the decision to prioritize rural infrastructure was informed by extensive consultations with traditional rulers, youth groups, women associations and community stakeholders who identified poor road networks as one of the major drivers of insecurity in the territory.
According to Wike, many rural communities had for years suffered neglect, leaving residents exposed to criminal activities while also limiting access to farms and essential services. He noted that security agencies often encountered serious operational challenges because several roads linking rural settlements were either inaccessible or completely cut off during the rainy season.
The minister explained that improving rural connectivity became necessary after repeated complaints from community leaders who lamented that criminals often took advantage of the bad terrain to evade arrest and carry out attacks on isolated settlements.
He said the administration discovered that insecurity in many parts of the FCT was not only linked to criminal elements but also to the absence of critical infrastructure that could enable effective policing and rapid emergency response.
Wike stated that with the construction and rehabilitation of roads in satellite towns, security operatives can now move more freely into communities that were previously difficult to access.
“Most of the communities we visited complained seriously about roads. They told us that when criminals attack, security agencies find it difficult to pursue them because the roads are bad. Some areas were completely inaccessible,” he said during the media session.
The former Rivers State governor noted that his administration decided to adopt a people-oriented approach by directly engaging stakeholders before embarking on projects, stressing that governance must respond to the immediate needs of the people.
He added that beyond security concerns, the rural road projects have also improved farming activities, as residents can now transport agricultural produce more easily from farms to markets in the city centre and surrounding districts.
According to him, farmers in several communities had previously abandoned portions of their farmlands because of fear of attacks and the absence of motorable roads. However, the situation is gradually changing as construction work progresses in various parts of the territory.
Wike emphasized that access to clean water has also remained a critical component of the administration’s development strategy, noting that several rural communities lacked potable water for decades despite being part of the nation’s capital territory.
He said the government has intensified efforts to provide water infrastructure in underserved areas to improve public health and living conditions for residents.
The minister maintained that development should not be concentrated only in the city centre of Abuja while rural communities continue to suffer neglect. He stressed that satellite towns contribute significantly to the economy and stability of the FCT and therefore deserve equal attention.
He further explained that the administration’s intervention in rural areas aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda of inclusive governance and infrastructure renewal across the country.
Wike assured residents that more projects would be executed in the coming months, adding that the FCT Administration remains committed to ensuring that all parts of the territory benefit from government presence regardless of location.
The minister also appealed to residents to support ongoing projects and cooperate with contractors handling various assignments across the territory.
He reiterated that infrastructure development remains one of the strongest tools for tackling insecurity, poverty and economic hardship, insisting that communities with good roads, water supply and accessible public services are less vulnerable to criminal activities.
Residents and community leaders in several satellite towns have continued to commend the ongoing infrastructure drive, expressing optimism that improved road access would stimulate economic activities, attract investments and strengthen security presence in rural communities around Abuja.
