The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially flagged off the Abuja solar street lighting project, declaring that the initiative will tackle insecurity, end years of sabotage, and permanently eliminate the city’s reliance on costly maintenance contracts.
Speaking at the ceremony attended by lawmakers, senior government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, and residents, Wike said the project had been one of his most difficult challenges since assuming office in August 2023.
“Today’s event is a very difficult one. Difficult in the sense that this is one project, though very important, but has given us a lot of headache. Headache not in the conceptualisation, but headache in how it will work—knowing in this country, people are always sabotaging efforts of government,” he said.
The Minister noted that Abuja was almost 80 percent in darkness when he took office, a situation that worsened insecurity.
“When we came on board, one thing anybody who visits or resides in Abuja will identify is that almost 80% of the entire city is in darkness. If we continue to leave Abuja in darkness, obviously insecurity will increase. Every time you see sabotage—cables have been removed, poles vandalised. Sometimes you run to the airport to receive Mr. President and everywhere is dark. It became a nightmare,” Wike explained.
He recalled that in 2024, he travelled with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu where an agreement was signed with two Chinese companies, CGC and CCCC.
“We signed with CGC to provide water in the satellite towns, which is ongoing, and also to help in terms of lighting up Abuja. We signed with CCCC just for the lighting.
“What attracted me was the fact that they are going to put surveillance features so that if you try to vandalise or steal, you will be identified. That gave me confidence that the issue of sabotage had been addressed,” the Minister said.
Wike stressed that the new arrangement would save the FCT billions of naira wasted on fraudulent maintenance contracts.
“If I tell you how much we spend every week on maintenance, you will be shocked. These contractors are political contractors. You keep paying and paying, and we are not getting any results. By the time I go this time around, there will be no maintenance because the two companies will maintain it for 4–5 years. I will not see any file for maintenance again,” he declared.
The Minister acknowledged that resistance and blackmail would follow his decision, especially from those benefitting from the old system.
“As politicians, we know that those who originally got these contracts will now go to leaders of various parties and ask, ‘Why is he doing this as elections are coming?’ They will call us names, bring ethnicity and religion into it, sponsor social media propaganda, and even go to CNN. But let me assure you, all those things do not matter. We have taken a decision and this work must be done,” he said.
He added that criminals who thrive in darkness would also try to resist the project.
“It will be difficult for them to vandalise the poles now because there will be security features. It will no longer be business as usual. Security agencies will work in synergy with the companies to make sure this project is protected. Even those who buy vandalised poles and cables will find that it is no longer business as usual,” Wike assured.
He emphasised that the project was not just about beautification but about the safety and reputation of Nigeria’s capital city.
“I don’t know how this country would want to host the Commonwealth, yet the capital city cannot light up at night. Everywhere will be dark. By the grace of God, in the next several months, it will be different. Anybody coming to Abuja will not only see good roads but streets lit up.
“When you fly into other cities abroad, you admire the beauty because of light. Here, you see only darkness. That will no longer be the case,” he said.
Wike said the lighting project would also create jobs for youths and improve Abuja’s image as it prepares to mark its 50th anniversary next February.
“Abuja will be 50 years by February next year. How will it look if at such a jubilee you cannot even say the city is fine by providing the basic life of light? This project must succeed because it is key to our security, our reputation, and the future of this city,” the Minister stressed.
He thanked President Tinubu, the National Assembly, and FCT residents for their support.
“Thank you for your support. Mr. President and the House of Representatives, thank you for your leadership. Each day we go out, you always give us support. This job will be done and done very well, by the grace of God,” Wike concluded.
Boluwatife Enome
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