President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured that his administration will replicate the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) infrastructure across the country.
Tinubu vowed that no region would be left behind in the execution of infrastructural projects.
He spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the right-hand service carriageway of the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) from ring road 3 (RR3) to outer Northern highway (Murtala Mohammed Expressway), also known as the Idu–Zuba road in the FCT.
The President commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his vision, commitment to quality and timely delivery of projects.
Tinubu, represented at the event by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, described infrastructure as a critical piece of the FCT’s Master Plan, which is designed to ease traffic flow, enhance connectivity and improve urban mobility.
He said; “It is with great pride and fulfilment that I stand before you to inaugurate this newly completed right-hand service carriageway of the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) linking Route 3 to the Outer Northern Expressway ONEX also known as the Murtala Muhammed Way.
“I commend the FCT Administration led by the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his vision, commitment to quality and timely execution. The minister has contributed to something larger than the roadway. He has contributed to the future of our capital.
READ ALSO: 2027 coalitions and collisions
“This vital carriageway we are inaugurating today(yesterday) is not just a road. It is a symbol of progress and a reflection of our administration’s Rehabilitation Agenda. An agenda committed to building infrastructure that serves the people, unlocks economic potential and supports sustainable development.
“As traffic volume increases in the FCT and across the satellite towns, it has become imperative for the continuous expansion and maintenance of critical routes.
‘’This road will not only decongest key junctions, but also facilitate safer, faster movement within Abuja’s transportation corridors. It will open more opportunities for businesses, housing and investments in the adjoining districts.
“It is quite apt to say that projects like these are a testament to what we can achieve when planning, execution and leadership align with purpose. We are determined to replicate these in every part of the country with roads, bridges, railways and more, ensuring that no region is left behind.
“To the residents and road users, I appeal to you, protect this infrastructure; obey traffic rules and treat public assets with respect. They belong to all of us and to generations yet unborn.
‘’Having said that, it is my honour to officially commission the right-hand service carriageway of the Inner Northern carriageway from Ring Road 3 to the Murtala Muhammed Expressway.”
FCT Minister Wike earlier took stock of the various infrastructural interventions by the President in the territory in the last two years.
He wondered what the opposition would predicate their campaigns on ahead of the February 21, 2026, FCT Area Council polls.
Calling on opposition candidates not to waste their resources prosecuting an election they already lost, Wike said the exercise would be a referendum on the achievements of the Tinubu administration and those of his opponents.
He said those who are with the President would be running based on their records. Wike advised that no one should accuse the government of rigging the polls when the results do not go their way
He said: “We will continue to do the best under the Renewed Hope agenda for the interest of our country, for the interest of Abuja
“I don’t know, those who want to run elections in the Area councils, I don’t know what they will preach to the people, but those who are with us, they have the opportunity to tell the people what we have done.
“So, let people not waste their money. The result is known by what we have shown, so that when you fail, you will not say you were rigged out. No, look at the rigging here now. The projects are the rigging. When you provide what the people want, everything is gone.
“So, those of you who are my friends, I don’t know where you are running. But my friends, we will come out and tell the people, look at the roads, look at the bus terminals and look at the schools. All these works are coming now, where are they coming from?”
Wike lamented that the 16-kilometre road, which was awarded in 2014 at N7 billion, gulped N31 billion due to inflation and variation.
He said that the completion of the project was in line with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to complete ongoing projects that would impact the economy and the lives of the people.
Acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, Richard Dauda, said the INEX is the primary road that bounds the inner development corridor of the Northern flank of the city.
Dauda said that the full scope of the road in the Abuja Master Plan from Maitama to ONEX was a 32.5-kilometre 10-lane expressway.
He said that the road was planned to consist of two main carriageways of three lanes each and two service carriageways of two lanes each.
The Acting Executive Secretary said: “The Master Plan provides that the expressway commences at Maitama by the IBB Golf Course, traverses through the Central Area, passing between the National Mosque and the Yar’adua Centre in Phase I and continues through Phase II of the city to Wuye and Dakibiyu Districts.
“It then proceeds to Phase III and Phase IV, through the Idu Industrial Area and terminates at ONEX.”
He added that the road is being developed in stages, with the first phase being the right-hand carriageway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III.