President Bola Tinubu says his administration is transforming the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) through strategic infrastructure projects aimed at rebuilding public trust and restoring citizens’ confidence in government.
Tinubu stated this on Thursday while inaugurating the newly constructed interchange linking Jahi District and Gwarinpa District at the intersection of Arterial Road N16 and Ring Road II in Abuja.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the President said the project reflected the objectives of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Abuja is changing. One interchange at a time, one road at a time, we are rebuilding trust and restoring hope.
“Together, we will build a country where every citizen can move freely, live safely and prosper,” he said.
Tinubu noted that the interchange would eliminate years of traffic congestion that affected commuters travelling through Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi and Gwarinpa.
“This intersection used to choke Abuja. Hours were lost, fuel was wasted and businesses were delayed.
“Today, that story ends. This interchange opens up critical districts of the FCT and connects them seamlessly to the rest of the territory,” he added.
Describing infrastructure as the foundation of national prosperity, the President said roads remain vital to economic growth and national development.
“When we connect districts, we connect destinies. That is the logic of the Renewed Hope Agenda: build the roads, unlock the economy and let Nigerians thrive.
“The Jahi/Gwarinpa Interchange is proof that Nigeria is not beyond redemption,” he said.
Tinubu commended the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for accelerating infrastructure development across Abuja.
“From roads to bridges, from the city centre to satellite towns, the minister is domesticating Renewed Hope across the FCT.
“Nigerians can see it, critics can see it and residents feel it in their daily lives,” he said.
In his remarks, Wike said the project was awarded shortly before Tinubu assumed office but had received no mobilisation funds until the President approved financing for its continuation.
According to him, Tinubu demonstrated that governance is a continuum by completing projects initiated by previous administrations.
“It does not matter who awarded the project. What matters is completing it for the benefit of Nigerians,” Wike said.
Responding to claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the administration was focusing only on roads while citizens faced economic hardship, the minister described the criticism as misleading.
He recalled that the President inaugurated the Karu Water Supply Network earlier in the week and announced that another water project in Bwari would be commissioned in July.
“It is not correct that we are only constructing roads,” he said, while thanking the ADC for acknowledging the administration’s infrastructure achievements.
Also speaking, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said the interchange would improve connectivity, reduce travel time, enhance access to commercial centres and support the capital city’s growing population.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, said the project formed part of the phased development of Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III.
He explained that while earlier phases through Maitama and Katampe had been completed, work on the Jahi section was ongoing, with the remaining 7.25-kilometre stretch expected to be completed in due course.
Source: NAN
