ABUJA, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a Chinese construction firm, has officially commenced work on a key road project designed to enhance access for neglected communities in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The 7-km road project in Tunga Madaki Settlement and eight other neighboring communities in the Nigerian capital of Abuja will involve a full-scale construction, Nyesom Wike, minister of the FCT, said at the flag-off ceremony on Monday.

The road project is "key" and "aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda" in the Nigerian government's infrastructure drive, Wike said, noting the commitment to integrating "previously marginalized settlements into the capital's development master plan."

He said the long-awaited project is a direct fulfillment of promises made during the acquisition of ancestral lands, with the road serving as a vital bypass to the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, a critical piece of infrastructure previously built on land donated by the local communities.

CCECC, renowned for its extensive portfolio in Nigeria's infrastructure construction, including rail and roads, is expected to complete the project ahead of commissioning by June 2026, according to Wike. The scope of work is comprehensive, featuring not only the main access road but also a four-span bridge.

Appealing to local community leaders and youth to cooperate fully with the Chinese contractors to ensure a smooth and timely execution, the official said this will facilitate employment opportunities during the construction phase. ■