By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed the immediate expansion of road infrastructure to more communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying his administration will continue to extend development to underserved areas while ending the era of abandoned projects in the nation’s capital.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President gave the directive while commissioning the rehabilitated 16-kilometre Old Keffi Road linking Kado Fish Market to Dei-Dei Junction through Life Camp.
Tinubu also approved the construction of the Kaba-Kagini-Zaudna Road after residents displayed banners highlighting the poor condition of access roads in their communities.
He said the administration remained committed to ensuring that every district and community benefited from the dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are not slowing down. Across the FCT, from the city centre to the area councils, we are building for inclusion, for safety and for growth. Every district deserves access. Every citizen deserves to feel the impact of government where they are,” the President said.
Tinubu declared that the completion of the Old Keffi Road signalled the end of abandoned infrastructure projects in the FCT.
“When we assumed office under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we told Nigerians the era of abandoned projects in Abuja was over. Some doubted. Today, doubt has no ground to stand on. From Saburi 1 and 2 to this corridor, and to many others we started unveiling last month to mark the third anniversary of this administration, the pattern is clear: we identify the problem, we fund the solution and we deliver,” he said.
Describing the project as a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of residents, Tinubu said the road would ease movement, improve safety and boost economic activities.
“It gives me great honour today to open a road that restores dignity to daily movement. The fully rehabilitated 16-kilometre Old Keffi Road, from Kado Village through Life Camp to Dei-Dei Junction by the Outer Northern Expressway, is now open for use. This is not a promise on paper. It is asphalt you can drive on, lights you can trust after dark and drainages that serve both homes and markets,” he said.
The President explained that the project was initiated after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, drew his attention to the deplorable condition of the strategic corridor serving Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Karmo, Idu and Dei-Dei.
“He brought the report to me. We acted,” Tinubu said, adding that the Federal Executive Council subsequently approved the project for execution.
He commended Wike for driving infrastructure development across the FCT.
“Minister, you have turned the FCT into a site of visible results. You inspect, you decide, you follow through. You have matched development in the city centre with development in the districts and area councils so that no community is left behind. ‘Mr Projects’ is not a slogan. It is the record of roads opened, lights installed and deadlines met. I trust you. I rely on you. And Abuja is better because you are at the wheel,” he said.
Tinubu also praised the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, and the FCT Administration for completing the project on schedule without compromising quality.
He described the rehabilitated road as a major economic corridor that would reduce travel time, lower transportation costs and enhance commercial activities by improving connectivity between Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Karmo, Idu and Dei-Dei and the Outer Northern Expressway.
Earlier, Wike said the project fulfilled a long-standing promise made to residents and traders who had repeatedly appealed for the rehabilitation of the Old Keffi Road after the completion of the Saburi Road.
He recalled that during the Area Council election campaigns, traders had urged him to convey their request to President Tinubu.
“They told me, ‘Please tell Mr President, if he completes this road for us, Mr President should go home and sleep with his two eyes closed,’” Wike said, adding that the promise had now been fulfilled.
In a dramatic moment at the event, Wike invited residents of Kaba, Kagini and Zaudna, who displayed banners requesting another road project, to come forward and announced that President Tinubu had approved the immediate construction of the road.
“I have directed the Executive Secretary of the FCDA to instruct Lubrik Construction Company to move to the area immediately and begin construction,” Wike said.
According to him, the intervention reflects the essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The whole essence of the Renewed Hope Agenda is to restore hope where people have lost hope. Once Mr President becomes aware of critical infrastructure needs that will improve connectivity and economic activities, he acts,” he said.
