We’re rebuilding Abuja, restoring hope in governance – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that his administration was rebuilding the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to build trust and restore citizens hope and confidence in government.

Tinubu made the remarks in Abuja on Thursday, while inaugurating the newly constructed Interchange at the intersection between Arterial Road N16 with the Ring Road II, linking Jahi District to Gwarinpa District.

Represented by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the President noted that “Abuja is changing.”

He said: “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.

“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.”

Tinubu described infrastructure as the foundation of prosperity and roads as the arteries of a nation saying, “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”.

The President commended FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for making Abuja work again, pointing out that 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,” he said.

In his remarks, Wike said that the project was awarded, a few days before Tinubu was sworn into office, with no mobilisation. But to show leadership, you made funds available to continue the project awarded by your predecessors.

“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.”

Reacting to the claim by the African Democratic Congress, alleging that Tinubu government is building only roads while Nigerians are hungry, the minister described the assertion as misleading.

He recalled that just two days ago, Mr President inaugurated the Karu Water Supply Network, adding that another water network would be inaugurated in Bwari in July.

“Let me say that it is not correct that we are only doing roads. It is not correct,” he said.

He, nonetheless, thanked the ADC for acknowledging the road infrastructural stride in the FCT and other parts of the country.

On her part, FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud said that beyond traffic management, the interchange serves as a critical link connecting communities, businesses, and opportunities across Abuja.

Mahmoud said that the completed interchange would significantly reduce travel time, improve access to commercial centres, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and support the growing demands of the FCT’s expanding population.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the project was awarded in May 2023 for the full-scope development of Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with two interchanges.

Dauda said that one of the Interchanges was at the intersection between Arterial Road N16 and Ring Road II, which was being inaugurated.

“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 said that the rest of the project up to Ring Road III, a total length of 7.25 kilometres in length, would be completed in due course.