Tinubu promises to make Abuja a top city

President Bola Tinubu says his government is committed to turning Abuja into a top-notch capital city through careful urban planning.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this statement in Abuja on Wednesday. He was inaugurating Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, Dape District Section.

He explained that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will develop into a city that mirrors Nigeria’s growing population, economic goals, and national identity.

Tinubu mentioned that better transport links in Abuja should cut logistics costs, attract more investments, and create jobs.

He described good infrastructure as a sign of how serious a nation is and what it can achieve.

He said his administration will keep investing in key projects that boost connectivity, enhance economic activity, and restore public trust in governance.

"Infrastructure is the measure by which every civilised nation announces its seriousness."

"No capital can carry the weight of national ambition if its arteries are blocked by neglect, excuses and abandoned promises."

"We will never rest until we have made the FCT not only a functional seat of government, but a capital worthy of our federation," he added.

Tinubu noted that the road systems his government inherited needed ongoing work.

He pointed out that his administration has continued construction and repairs without stopping.

"There has been no break, no pause and no retreat in the construction and rehabilitation of the roads we inherited."

"That is why we have ended the tradition of abandoned projects and restored faith in the power of government to finish what it starts," he maintained.

He said that the Dape District section of the Arterial Road N5 project was planned, funded, and completed by his administration.

He added that finishing this project shows a clear shift from a past where public infrastructure faced long delays and repeated budget issues.

"In the past, projects like this became permanent budget items with 10 or 15 years of excuses. Under this administration, that era is over," he stated.

He praised the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for pushing infrastructure work across the capital and commended the contractor for meeting expectations.

"The Honourable Minister has shown what happens when political will meets accountability."

"We fund projects to see results, not to hear explanations for failure," he said.

The president described the newly finished road as more than just a transport route. He said it will act as an economic asset that boosts mobility and cuts productivity losses caused by traffic jams.

He noted that for years, Life Camp Junction was a major traffic headache that caused significant delays and costs for residents and businesses.

"With the completion of this road, we are delivering the seamless district connectivity envisioned in the Abuja Master Plan."

"The corridor now creates faster connections across Dape, Karmo, Gwarinpa I, Kado, Idu and Mbora, while also improving access to the Idu Industrial District," Tinubu said.

The president also stressed that keeping infrastructure in good shape requires teamwork between the government and the people.

He called on residents and businesses benefiting from these developments to meet their tax and land payments. This will help the FCT Administration do more projects.

He also urged traditional leaders, community heads, and residents to protect public infrastructure and prevent damage.

Earlier, Mr Wike praised Tinubu for backing efforts to improve infrastructure in the FCT, especially in satellite towns.

He said Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has led to visible infrastructure growth in Abuja and its satellite towns.

"For the first time, development has been taken to the FCT satellite towns. This is unprecedented," he said.

Richard Dauda, acting executive secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, shared that the project was given to Julius Berger in September 2024.

Dauda explained that Arterial Road N5 is one of the important inter-district roads that connects several areas in the city, starting from the Central Business District through the NNPC Towers.

He added that the six-lane dual carriageway with parking lanes goes through Wuse District in Phase I, then continues through Utako and Jabi Districts in Phase II, and reaches Gwarinpa and Dape Districts in Phase III.