President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday hailed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, as the “Engine of Execution,” commending the FCT Administration for completing the Dape District Section of Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) and urging residents to fulfil their civic obligations by paying taxes and ground rents.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning of the road project in Abuja, Tinubu said the completion of the corridor underscored his administration’s commitment to delivering projects from conception to completion under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Addressing residents and business owners in the area, the President said: “Pay your taxes. Clear your land fees and ground rents. Your compliance gives the FCT Administration the strength to build more roads like this one.”
Tinubu recalled that the first phase of the road project, covering the Gwarinpa I District section, was commissioned in June 2025, adding that his administration had fulfilled its promise to complete the remaining stretch.
“On that day, we made a pledge to you. We promised not to leave this vital artery half-done. Because the Renewed Hope Agenda is not about abandoned projects; it is about delivery from start to finish.
“And so today, we are back. We are back to close the circle. We are back to commission the Dape District Section of Arterial Road N5, from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III,” he said.
The President stressed that the project was conceived, funded and delivered by his administration, noting that it was awarded to Julius Berger Plc with a strict 15-month completion timeline.
“Let us be clear about this: we did not inherit this section from decades past. We conceived it, we funded it, and we delivered it,” he declared.
He praised Wike and his team for driving infrastructure development in the nation’s capital.
“Minister Wike, you and your team have shown what happens when political will meets accountability. We fund projects to see results, not to listen to grammar.
“And certainly not under the watch of the ‘Engine of Execution’ himself, the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike,” Tinubu said.
According to the President, the road would ease traffic congestion around Life Camp Junction, improve connectivity among Dape, Karmo, Gwarinpa I, Kado, Idu and Mbora districts, and provide easier access to the Idu Industrial District.
“Beyond that, this road opens a direct gateway to the Idu Industrial District. That means lower logistics costs for businesses, new investment, and more jobs for our people,” he added.
Tinubu also urged traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to protect public infrastructure and prevent vandalism.
“Protect it. Guard the streetlights. Keep the drainage clear. Do not allow vandals to destroy what we built with our collective resources,” he said.
Earlier, the FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike said the commissioning was the second event in a 31-day programme dedicated to inaugurating projects executed by the FCT Administration to mark the President’s third anniversary in office.
He noted that the administration commissioned projects for nine days during Tinubu’s first anniversary in office, 19 days during the second anniversary, and had expanded the programme to 31 days this year.
“To the glory of God, in this third year, we are touching 31 days of commissioning of projects,” Wike said.
The minister credited Tinubu’s support and leadership for the transformation taking place across the FCT, insisting that infrastructure development was now extending beyond the city centre to satellite communities.
“By your directive, we did not concentrate development and provision of infrastructure just in the city centre. For the first time, development has been taken to the satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory. This is unprecedented,” he said.
Wike maintained that residents could now visibly feel the impact of government through completed infrastructure projects.
“When they ask, ‘What is government?’ they can say, ‘See government.’ See roads, see infrastructure; that is what is called government,” he stated.
The minister also defended the administration’s handling of compensation issues arising from demolitions along the project corridor, insisting that all affected property owners whose structures were demolished received compensation.
“We paid. We paid. So if you say you have property and it was demolished and you were not paid, come and say so. I challenge anybody. It is not correct,” he said.
He dismissed protests by some individuals at the event, describing them as politically motivated and incapable of undermining the administration’s achievements.
Earlier, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the road project as another milestone under the Renewed Hope Agenda and a reflection of the administration’s commitment to improving connectivity, stimulating economic growth and enhancing the quality of life of residents.
Mahmoud also commended Wike for what she described as his purposeful leadership and dedication to delivering critical infrastructure across the territory.
She thanked traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of Life Camp, Dape and adjoining communities for their cooperation during the execution of the project, expressing confidence that the new road would promote safer transportation, boost economic activities and support sustainable urban development in the Federal Capital Territory.
