President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday declared that his administration is transforming the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to restore public confidence in governance and rekindle hope among Nigerians, saying the ongoing infrastructure drive in Abuja is evidence that the country is on the path to renewal.
The President made the remarks during the inauguration of the newly completed interchange linking Arterial Road N16 and Ring Road II, a key transportation corridor connecting Jahi and Gwarinpa districts in Abuja.
Represented by Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu said the project reflects his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of citizens through strategic infrastructure development.
“Abuja is changing,” the President declared.
“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 noted that the newly completed interchange would eliminate one of the capital city’s major traffic bottlenecks, easing movement across critical districts.
“This intersection used to choke Abuja. Gridlock stretched from Maitama to Gishiri, from Jahi to Gwarimpa. 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 smoothly to the rest of the territory,” he said.
Tinubu described infrastructure as the bedrock of national development, stressing that roads play a crucial role in unlocking economic opportunities and connecting communities.
“Infrastructure is the foundation of prosperity and roads are the arteries of a nation. 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/Gwarimpa Interchange is proof that Nigeria is not beyond redemption,” he stated.
The President also commended FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for driving the transformation of Abuja, saying residents can already feel the impact of the administration’s development agenda.
“From roads to bridges, from 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. Well done,” Tinubu said.
In his remarks, Wike praised Tinubu for ensuring the completion of projects initiated by previous administrations, describing the President’s approach as a demonstration of true leadership and continuity in governance.
“Mr President, you have shown that government is continuum. It doesn’t matter who awarded the project. What is important is to complete the project for the betterment and the development of society.
“This is what differentiated the current government and the previous administrations.
“Thank you Mr President for giving us the opportunity to be part of history in changing the narrative as far as the development of Abuja is concerned,” Wike said.
The minister also dismissed claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the Federal Government was focusing solely on road construction while citizens grapple with economic hardship.
Reacting to the criticism, Wike described the allegation as inaccurate and pointed to ongoing investments in water infrastructure across the FCT.
“Let me say that it is not correct that we are only doing roads. It is not correct,” he said.
He recalled that Tinubu recently inaugurated the Karu Water Supply Network and disclosed that another major water project in Bwari would be commissioned in July.
While defending the administration’s development record, Wike nevertheless thanked the ADC for acknowledging the progress made in road infrastructure within the FCT and across the country.
Also speaking, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the interchange would do more than improve traffic flow, noting that it would strengthen economic activities and connect communities across the capital city.
According to her, the project will significantly reduce travel time, improve access to commercial centres, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and support the growing demands of Abuja’s expanding population.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, disclosed that the project was awarded in May 2023 as part of the full-scale development of Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, including the construction of two interchanges.
Dauda explained that the newly inaugurated facility is one of the interchanges planned under the project and forms part of a phased expansion of the road corridor.
“The Arterial Road N16 is being developed in stages, with the Phase I section completed, that is the Maitama section. The Katampe section, which is the Phase II section, was also completed up to Wole Soyinka Way (Arterial N20) and inaugurated.
“The Jahi District section is still under construction, while the Phase III section, which is the project we are in now, has attained significant progress with the completion of this interchange,” he said.
He added that the remaining section of the project, stretching approximately 7.25 kilometres to Ring Road III, would be completed in due course.
