On Monday, President Bola Tinubu launched the 15-kilometre A2–Pai Town Road in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. This road forms part of the 150 kilometres of roads either completed or in progress across the six Area Councils since May 29, 2023.
President Tinubu underscored the vital role of rural connectivity in promoting national progress and prosperity.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, shared this in a statement he released on Monday.
“Infrastructure means nothing if it is not developed for the benefit of the people. The true value of this progress lies in how it lifts lives and expands opportunity. And indeed, this administration will continue prioritising infrastructure development in all zones,” President Tinubu stated.
He praised the FCT Minister for emphasizing rural development.
“You are doing commendable work in the underserved rural areas. We will ensure that development is not one-sided but balanced, inclusive, and aimed at improving lives.
“The commissioning of this newly constructed road, from the A2 junction on the Abuja–Lokoja expressway to Pai Town, is symbolic and strategic. It is symbolic because it represents Renewed Hope.
“It is strategic because it opens a new corridor for agriculture, commerce, education, and mobility—all of which are essential to strengthening our national economy from the grassroots up,” he said.
President Tinubu encouraged the Pai community to take ownership of the road and maintain it for local advancement.
“Let this road serve as a pathway to growth and a bridge to a better life for farmers, traders, students, and youth,” he said.
He also remarked, while traveling from Sheda to Pai after inaugurating 2000 tractors for mechanised farming, the critical need for grain farmers and livestock owners to establish grazing opportunities and take measures to boost productivity.
“We will help you. We will work with you. We will convert what used to be a liability and a source of conflict into a means of prosperity,” the President said.
Minister Wike stated that 150 kilometres of roads have been completed or are underway across all six Area Councils of the FCT since the onset of the Tinubu administration.
“This is not propaganda. All six emergency roads approved in the 2023 supplementary budget have been completed and commissioned. These roads have transformed access and connectivity for our rural populations,” Wike said.
The six road projects that have been completed are the 9km Paikon-Kore–Ibwa road in Gwagwalada Area Council, the 5km Gaba–Tokulo road in Bwari Area Council which includes a two-span river bridge, and the 5km asphalt road stretching from Tipper Garage Junction to the LEA Secretariat in Kuje Area Council.
Other completed roads include the 11km Yangoji–Sukuku–Ebo road in Kwali Area Council, the 5km Saburi 1 & 2 road within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), and the Aguma Palace–Radio Nigeria–New Market road located in Gwagwalada Area Council.
The Minister also announced several roads set to be commissioned later in the week. These include the 18km Karshi–Nyanya road, the 7.4km Old Ushafa Road, the rehabilitation of the Dutse–Lower Usman Dam road, and the 16.4km dualisation of the Ushafa–War College–Army Checkpoint road.
According to Wike, the value of these projects goes beyond improving transportation. He stated that they are also key to enhancing food security, bolstering security efforts, and promoting inclusive socioeconomic growth.
“With better access, isolated communities can be reached, farmers can access their farmlands, and security agencies can patrol more effectively. We encourage real farmers—not speculators—to use this infrastructure to support the government’s food security agenda,” he said.
The Minister stressed that the FCT Administration, under President Tinubu’s leadership, is committed to expanding development outside the city centre, particularly in road and electricity infrastructure.
“You can give someone an appointment, but nothing happens if you don’t support them. You have done both, and the results are visible across the FCT,” he said.
The traditional ruler of Pai, Sarkin Pai, Alhaji Sani Abubakar, expressed heartfelt thanks to President Tinubu for his leadership and for appointing the current FCT Minister.
“Mr President, we want to thank you for two things. One is appointing Mr Project to the FCT because the FCT Minister has transformed how we live in rural communities. He is the right man for this job. We cannot thank you enough,” said the monarch.
He noted that the new road has greatly improved local economic activities and recalled past struggles with moving goods to the market.
“This road has opened up many economic activities for us. Many of us had serious challenges transporting goods to market in the past—it hasn’t been fun. But now, you can see that everybody is happy. They have shown a large amount of appreciation for you and the Honourable Minister.”
He added that the Minister has consistently called for leadership and praised both the President and the Minister for the improvements being witnessed.
“The Minister used to say that we need leadership in this country, and you have given us that leadership. We want to thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank the Honourable Minister; he has been doing well for us, and a lot is still coming in this direction. We thank you, Mr. President,” Abubakar added.
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