Published by Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly apologized to residents for the persistent issue of cattle roaming on major roads and streets across Abuja, and has taken responsibility for the situation. Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, June 1, 2026, Wike acknowledged the ongoing concern despite years of efforts to improve the capital city’s order. “I apologise that up till now there are cows still roaming the streets of Abuja, I take responsibility,” the minister said.
Wike’s statement came on the heels of fierce criticism from the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which, a day earlier, had expressed outrage over the “shocking and unacceptable” situation. HURIWA had charged the minister to clear the streets, noting that the continued failure to enforce basic environmental and traffic laws represents a “disturbing abdication of responsibility”. The group warned that the normalization of cattle roaming, combined with unchecked violent crime, paints a dangerous picture of institutional collapse.
In response, the minister not only took the blame but used the occasion to highlight a series of infrastructure projects aimed at transforming the FCT. Wike disclosed that the administration is extending development beyond the city centre to satellite towns. “Our attention is not only on developing the city centres of Abuja. We are also working in all the Area Councils,” he said. According to him, the projects cover several sectors, including road construction, water supply, and housing for public officials.
Wike also announced that the FCTA would commission projects for the next 31 days, starting June 8, 2026, to celebrate President Bola Tinubu’s third year in office. He insisted that the road projects executed across the FCT have helped improve access and strengthen security in several communities, noting that the roads are nominated by the people themselves and aid in reducing crime while providing access to farmlands.
The presence of roaming cattle in Abuja has been a recurring issue for years, with residents and motorists periodically raising concerns about safety and the movement of livestock on major roads. While Wike’s apology may be seen as a rare admission of a persistent urban governance failure, his broader message highlighted a major infrastructure push as a key component of his strategy to make the capital more livable and secure. The success of these projects, however, will ultimately be judged by whether they can finally bring an end to the sight of cows on the city’s streets.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News
🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew
📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments