President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commissioned the Airport Expressway-Kuje Road in the Federal Capital Territory, declaring that his administration would no longer tolerate the abandonment of public projects across the country.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the inauguration of the six-lane Federal Highway 105, said the completion of the road demonstrated his government’s commitment to delivering on promises made to Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said, “We are not just commissioning a road; we are keeping a promise.
“Three years ago, we took an oath to serve Nigerians. We promised to end the era of abandoned projects. Today, Federal Highway 105 is proof that we keep our word.
“Let me be clear: my administration does not inherit problems to abandon them. We inherit challenges to solve them.”
The President recalled that the road project, which had suffered years of delay after being awarded, became a source of hardship for residents and businesses due to traffic congestion, poor access and deteriorating conditions.
Tinubu said his administration intervened to ensure the project’s completion, stressing that development must extend beyond Abuja’s city centre to satellite towns and rural communities.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not for the city centre alone. True democracy must be felt at the grassroots. It must be felt in Kuje and by every Nigerian,” he said.
According to him, the road will reduce travel time, improve transportation, boost economic activities and facilitate the movement of farm produce from surrounding communities.
He added that the project would open up satellite towns, attract investment, increase property values and ease pressure on the city centre.
“Abuja cannot grow if only the city centre works. With this road, we are helping to build the economy from the bottom up,” he said.
The President also urged residents, developers and business owners to pay taxes, ground rents and other statutory fees to enable government fund more infrastructure projects.
He further called on community leaders and youths to protect the road and other public assets from vandalism.
Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, described the project as one of the most difficult inherited by the current administration.
He said the road had become a major concern during consultations with stakeholders across the six area councils shortly after the ministers assumed office in 2023.
“This is one road I never imagined we would be commissioning so soon. It was a very difficult project,” Wike said.
The minister disclosed that despite being awarded in February 2022 at a cost of over N54bn, the project had stalled before the intervention of the Tinubu administration.
According to him, the Gomo of Kuje and other stakeholders had appealed to the government to revive the road because of its strategic importance to residents.
“It was a death trap. It was a haven for kidnappers and criminals who terrorised residents and commuters. Today, that story has changed,” he said.
Wike commended Arab Contractors for completing the project and praised Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development in satellite towns.
“If anybody asks where government is, tell them Airport-Kuje Road is government. This is government providing infrastructure for the people,” he said.
The minister also revealed that the President is expected to return to the FCT in July to commission the ongoing Kuje-Gwagwalada dual carriageway.
He maintained that the administration’s investments in satellite communities would transform the development landscape of the Federal Capital Territory.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the road project as a landmark achievement under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She said the project would improve connectivity, stimulate economic growth and enhance the quality of life of residents.
Mahmoud commended Wike for his leadership in driving infrastructure development across the FCT and urged residents to support government initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development.
The commissioning formed part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, with several projects being inaugurated across the Federal Capital Territory.
