President Bola Tinubu has declared that a functional capital city is the foundation upon which a functioning nation is built, describing ongoing infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as proof of his administration’s commitment to inclusive development and practical delivery of the Renewed Hope agenda.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima during the commissioning of the Collector Road CN8 (Asuquo Okon Way) and adjoining roads in the Dakibiyu District of Abuja on Tuesday, Tinubu said infrastructure is not just about roads and bridges, but about transforming lives.
He noted: “When a city works, when its roads are paved, when lights stay on, when its arteries flow without congestion, it tells the world that the government is not just present but purposeful.”
The President emphasised that the road projects would immediately ease daily life, shorten commute times, open up economic opportunities, and improve access to essential services.
“Shops will open. Markets will thrive. Children will reach school faster. Emergency services will arrive quicker. This is what Renewed Hope means, not lofty rhetoric but practical impact,” he said.
According to Tinubu, the administration’s vision for Abuja extends beyond the city centre to neglected outskirts and underserved communities. “Every road we build, every bridge we complete, every community we connect is a firm step toward a more inclusive, equitable Nigeria,” he stated.
He maintained that modern infrastructure inspires confidence, attracts investment, and restores dignity, adding that “a capital that works is the heartbeat of a country that functions.”
Lauding the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for his speed and execution capacity, the President said: “Wike’s sense of urgency in project delivery is well known to Nigerians. This administration remains fully committed to supporting the FCTA with resources and policy backing to ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards.”
The newly commissioned roads provide vital access to institutions such as the Police Service Commission, the FCT High Court in Jabi, the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the new Division of the Court of Appeal, the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, and several residential and commercial areas.
FCT Minister Wike recalled the deplorable state of the area before intervention, saying the project was awarded in September and construction began in October 2023. “Today, we are commissioning it,” he noted, thanking the President for his support.
Also speaking, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud, appreciated the President and Vice President for championing inclusive urban development in the FCT, and commended all those involved in the timely execution of the project.
