By Stanley Onyekwere
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday officially commissioned Phase I of the newly dualized Kuje-Gwagwalada road, bringing a definitive end to decades of commuter hardship, insecurity, and economic stagnation along the critical corridor.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the ceremony in the Kuje Area Council, President Tinubu emphasized that the project represents a fulfillment of his administration’s promise to extend development from Abuja’s city center to its vital satellite communities.
“For decades, this road was a death trap. Traders from Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and beyond lost time, goods and sometimes lives while plying this road. Criminals thrived in the darkness. But that story ends today,” the President stated.
Tinubu lauded Minister Wike for taking the “Renewed Hope” agenda to underserved communities, ensuring that infrastructure spending is no longer exclusive to elite districts like Maitama and Asokoro.
FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike revealed that the road was prioritized after personal inspections showed it took nearly two hours to navigate the previously dilapidated terrain.
He noted that following Federal Executive Council approval in early 2025, the project was awarded to Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited.
According to Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), work is transitioning smoothly into the next phase.
He noted that the commissioning of the completed 7-kilometre stretch marks a major infrastructure milestone for the administration, transforming a route once notorious as a “death trap” into a modern economic artery.
He explained that it is a 7-kilometre dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction, a three-span bridge and engineered drainage networks, solar-powered streetlights and pedestrian walkways to enhance night security.
He added that beyond linking local area councils, the completed dual carriageway serves as a strategic transit route connecting the Federal Capital Territory directly to Southern Nigeria, unlocking agricultural potentials and opening up new residential layouts.
He assured that with Phase I now officially open to motorists, the government is already looking toward completing the entire corridor by December 2026.
Delivering a vote of thanks, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud said the pace of development being witnessed in the FCT under Wike’s stewardship has become a reference point for effective governance and project execution.
She noted that the consistent commissioning of roads, bridges, and public facilities across the territory reflects a leadership that has successfully transformed plans into tangible achievements and development into a visible reality for residents.
The project is being hailed as a direct result of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s shift toward grassroots development.
