- 150km rural roads built in FCT, says Wike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again reassured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to prioritise infrastructure development in all parts of the country.
He said that projects will be executed in a balanced and inclusive manner to uplift communities, especially in the hinterlands.
Speaking on Monday at the inauguration of the newly completed 15-kilometre A2 – Pai Town Road in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), President Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to equitable development and national integration.
His host FCT Minister Nyesom Wike attributed the over 150 kilometers of rural roads built by the FCT Administration across the six area councils to the support given by the President
“This administration will continue to prioritize infrastructure in all zones. We will ensure that development is not lopsided, but balanced, inclusive, and targeted at lifting lives”, the President declared.
The road, which connects the Abuja – Lokoja Expressway to Pai Town, is part of the 150 kilometres of roads completed across the six FCT councils since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
The President noted that infrastructure only holds value when it directly benefits citizens, improves livelihoods, and creates opportunities.
He said: “The road, the infrastructure development, means nothing if you don’t develop it to the benefit of our people. Indeed, this progress will continue to elevate our lives.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of the project, Tinubu said the road creates a vital corridor for economic and social advancement.
“The commissioning of this newly constructed road… is both symbolic and strategic. It opens a new corridor for agriculture, commerce, education, and mobility—all necessary to strengthen our national economy from the grassroots up”, he said.
The president also acknowledged the longstanding neglect of many rural communities and said his government is determined to reverse that trend, saying “rural communities such as Pai make important contributions to Nigeria’s social and economic fabric, especially in food production and local enterprises, but their potential has been hindered by poor road access, isolation and neglect for far too long. Today, that narrative is changing.”
Commending the FCT minister for prioritising rural development, Tinubu urged residents to take ownership of the infrastructure and protect it as a tool for community advancement.
“You are doing commendable work in the underserved rural areas. Let this road serve as a pathway to growth and a bridge to a better life for farmers, traders, students, and youth”, he told the Minister.
On the age-old challenge of tension between farmers and livestock herders, calling instead for collaboration and economic symbiosis.
“On my way, I observed the need for our great farmers and livestock owners to establish the opportunity for grazing and do what is necessary,” he said.
He assured the Pai community that the Federal Government would support efforts to turn potential sources of conflict into platforms for prosperity, assuring “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 road project, he noted, complements such efforts by improving access to markets and facilitating economic activity in previously hard-to-reach rural settlements.
The FCT minister said some of the 150 roads so far constructed by the FCTA had already been inaugurated.
Wike reiterated the administration’s resolve to continue investing in infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with the aim of transforming the FCT into a globally competitive capital city.
He lauded Tinubu for coming to PAI, adding: “Today, of all the roads inaugurated, this, for me, I consider very, very important. I recall that when I came to see you, I said, Mr. President, it would be very, very fine if you can make out time to visit one, at least, of the rural roads and see the people how joyous they will be.
Wike said: “I’m sure if you look directly opposite you, you will see that the people are very, very, very happy. This also tells us that your emphasis is not just to improve infrastructure in the city, it is also to improve life and other infrastructure in the satellite town. I will state here for record purposes so that we will understand what you’ve done since you came on May 29, 2023. What you’ve done in the rural areas.
“The number of roads you have constructed and the number of roads you are still constructing. I don’t want to talk about the issue of security and education. But let me tell you the history of this road. Through the Federal Council, we are awarded the contract for Pai, the boundary between Pai and Gomani.
“So, when we were coming for the fly-off, I was asking, where are we going to fly off this road? We are past 10-12 kilometers. So, when I got to the boundary between Pai and Gomani, from that to Gomani is 13 kilometers that is ongoing, before December, they will also be completed.
So, I now ask, how do we get to that Pai, when this road is not constructed? It doesn’t make sense. All we would have done are okay, let us do this, later we can go from Pai to Gomani. I thank God, today we are commissioning it.
“The contractor assured us that he will do everything. I said, can you include it in the celebration of Mr. President’s second year in office? And he said, yes, that he will use this to show his capacity and capability. I also want to thank them. Now, from Gomani to Yangoji is another 13 kilometers, which we have told the managing director of this company to make sure he starts work from Gomani to Yangoji. At the end of the day, At only this stretch you would have done about 45 kilometers of the roads in this area.
“I want to inform you that all those roads have all been commissioned. All those six roads have all been commissioned.”
“Today, I will read out what you have done so that everybody can hear, so that those who are doubting Thomas can go and check. These roads they are talking about, is it in existence or just mere propaganda?
“In 2024, you approved the construction of six emergency roads, and I will name them. One is the construction of Paikon Kore-Ibwa Road in Gwagwalada, nine kilometers. That road has been commissioned.
“Today, we are in A2 to pai. Let me say, for this year’s commissioning, Your Excellency, we will be commissioning 10 kilometers of Aguma Palace-Radio-New Market Road in Gwagwalada. And then, Nyanya-Karshi dual Carriageway, 18 kilometers. We are doing the commission of 7.4 kilometers of Old Ushafa Road and rehabilitation of Lower Usuma Dam.
“We are very happy. So, we have done, if you calculate all, and the ongoing roads, and the ones completed, within the satellite towns, you’ve done not less than 150 kilometers of roads.
“You have been able to open most of the roads. If you came here before, you would have wondered, assuming there is crime, how will police enter here? How will security men enter here? It will not be possible.”
