By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned another strategic road in the Federal Capital Territory which before now had been abandoned for 17 years by the previous administrations.
The roads are B6, B12, and Circle Road in the Central Area of the nation’s capital.
Tinubu while commissioning the projects on Thursday in Abuja as part of activities to mark his one year in office said that infrastructure development and Urban Renewal is the cornerstone of his administration for a more prosperous and connected Nigeria.
The President, who was represented by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the roads being commissioned were paving the way for enhanced economic activities, improved accessibility, and a higher quality of life for residents.
According to him: “When we assumed office one year ago, we set forth an ambitious agenda to transform our nation’s infrastructure landscape. We recognized that efficient transportation networks are vital for economic growth, social integration, and overall national development.
“Today, as we unveil these strategic roads, we are not just opening pathways of asphalt and concrete but also paving the way for enhanced economic activities, improved accessibility, and a higher quality of life for our citizens”.The President said the completion of the Roads was a testament to what can be achieved through dedicated planning, unwavering commitment, and collaborative efforts, adding that the roads were designed to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and provide a more seamless connection between key areas within the nation’s capital.
“They represent a crucial step forward in our broader objective to create a robust and efficient transportation network across the Federal Capital Territory and beyond”, he added.
He commended the FCT Minister and his team for the hard work they have put in achieving what they did in record time, adding that in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, the Administration will continue to build essential infrastructure for the people.
The President said, “I would like to commend the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, his team at the FCTA and all the stakeholders involved in these projects that we have commissioned for the past seven days. Your hard work, dedication and adherence to high standard quality have made these achievements possible.
“As we celebrate this achievement, let us also recognize that our work is far from complete. As a testament to our Renewed Hope Agenda, we remain committed to continuing this journey of building more roads, bridges, and essential infrastructure that will connect our people, drive our economy”.
Earlier, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike who thanked the President for honouring his invitation to commission projects completed by the FCT Administration within one year, also tasked him to honour the last two in the first series of projects commissioning, scheduled to take place on 7th and 8th of June at the official residence of the Vice President and Guzape district lot II, respectively.
Wike explained that the contract for the road being commissioned was awarded in 2007 at the sum of N48.5Billion and revised in 2021 to N98.8Billion but was never completed until now, a feat which he attributed to the leadership direction of President Tinubu.
“Mr. President, it may interest you to know that the contract for this road was awarded in 2007. When you talk about renewed hope, a road that was awarded in 2007, just one year of the administration of Mr. President, the road has been completed.
“For those who know mathematics, 2007, that’s how many years?… 17 good years. Today Mr. President has been able to complete it in just one year. This is called leadership. Leadership is key. With the right leadership, you will get the right result. Because we have the right leadership, we are getting the right results”.
He said, following the President’s matching orders in August 2024 when he and the Minister of state, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud were sworn-in as Ministers, that all abandoned projects must be completed before embarking on new projects, the FCT Administration has done just that, resulting in the setting aside of 58 per cent of the FCT 2024 budget for the completion of old projects.
