Ezekiel Awojide, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, has lauded the achievements of President Bola Tinubu, saying his impactful projects and reforms have rendered political opposition efforts ineffective.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja, during the inauguration of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) and other roads in the Katampe District.
He noted that the impressive pace of development under Tinubu’s leadership had disoriented critics and opposition groups, particularly the supposed coalition created to challenge Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
“I thought there would be a coalition, but when people see new projects being unveiled daily, that idea collapses.
“The coalition has failed because of the good work Mr President is doing,” Wike said.
He explained that the N16 to N20 road was awarded in September and commenced in Oct. 2024 and later extended through Gishiri Village to connect it to Wole Soyinka Way.
They further said that the Tinubu administration has built contractors’ trust in the government, adding that the contractors now have the confidence to execute projects knowing they would be paid.
He disclosed that although the extension of the N16 road to N20 was recently approved by the FCT Executive Council, the contractor had already completed it, citing confidence in prompt government payments.
He also noted that communities affected by the road construction were adequately compensated, receiving 200 percent of the compensation rate in line with Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“President Tinubu has brought that trust back, and the people of the FCT, particularly those in satellite towns are seeing progress like never before,” Wike said.
He thanked the president for allowing him to be part of what he described as a “revolution in the FCT,” and vowed that no project initiated under his tenure would be abandoned.
Responding, Tinubu commended Wike and his team for their commitment to transformative infrastructure development, describing the minister as a “team builder and a team player.”
“Infrastructure is not a luxury; it is a necessity; it is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration, and economic opportunity,” the president said.
Also speaking, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, expressed gratitude to FCT residents for their patience during the construction process.
“To the people of Gishiri, Maitama, and the entire FCT community, thank you for your resilience and belief in the government’s capacity to deliver.
“You are the heart of this city, and this project is a tribute to your enduring hope,” she said.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr Richard Dauda, said that described the road as a 3.7-kilometre, six-lane dual carriageway.
He said that the road links the Maitama District in Phase I to the Katampe, Jahi, and Mabushi Districts in Phase II.
