Tinubu commissions N98.8b Abuja roads 17 Yrs after

By Stanley Onyekwere

In continuation of the ongoing commissioning of road infrastructure in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu yesterday inaugurated three roads B6 also known as Constitution Avenue, B12 (Independence Avenue) and Circle Road infrastructure in the Central Area District of the nation’s capital city, completed after 17 years they were awarded.

It was gathered that the project, which was awarded on 14th May, 2007, at cost of 48.5 billion Naira, was later in January 2021 revised to the tune of 98.8 billion Naira

Also, the three roads (B6, B12, Circle Road) with the length of 6.6km, 6.7km and 4.6km respectively, cover Nigeria’s Three Arms Zone, the Diplomatic Zone, Ministries, commercial development, among others

Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said the completed road infrastructure will pave the way to enhance economic activities, improve accessibility and a higher quality of life for Nigerian citizens.

According to him: “It is with a deep sense of pride that I inaugurate Roads B6, B12 and Circle Road in the Central Area of the now beautiful city of Abuja, completed in record time, under the watch of the Honourable Minister of the FCT, His Excellency, Barr Nyesom Wike, under one year in office.

“This event stands as testament to this administration’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development and urban renewal, a cornerstone of our vision for a more prosperous and much more connected Nigeria.

“When I assumed office one year ago, my administration set forth an ambitious agenda to transform our nation’s infrastructural landscape. We recognise that an efficient transport network remains vital for economic growth, social integration, and overall national development.

“Today, as we commission these strategic roads, we are not just opening pathways of asphalt and concrete but also paving the way to enhance economic activities, improve accessibility, and a higher quality of life for our citizens. Roads B6 (Constitution Avenue) and Road B12 (Independence Avenue), are located in Abuja’s Central Area District within the zone of the city, which houses the three-arms zone, cultural and diplomatic zones, as well as Ministries, States Liaison offices, corporate and commercial offices.

“The completion of these roads remains a demonstration of what we can achieve through dedicated planning, unwavering commitment and elaborate collaborative efforts. These roads are designed to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce travel time, and provide a more seamless connection between key areas within our Capital City.

“The roads represent our broader objectives to create a robust and efficient transportation network across the Federal Capital Territory and beyond. I’d like to commend the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, his team and the FCTA and all the stakeholders involved in this project that we have commissioned for the past seven days. Your hard work, dedication, and adherence to higher standards of quality have made these achievements possible.

” As we celebrate, let us also recognise that our job is far from being over. As a testament to our Renewed Hope Agenda, we remain committed to continuing this journey of building more roads, bridges, and essential infrastructure that will connect our people and drive our economy.”

Earlier in his remarks, FCT minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, thanked the President for providing leadership through Renewed Hope Agenda, for a road that was awarded in 2007 to be completed in less than one year.

“Mr. President it will interest to know that this road was awarded 14th of May 2007, at the cost of 48.5 Billion Naira. It was later revised in January 2021,at the cost of 98.8 Billion Naira.

“Now when you talk about Renewed Hope, for a road that was awarded in 2007, in just one year of Mr. President’s administration, the road has been completed. For those who know mathematics, they can tell you that it is up to 17 good years. Today Mr. President in just one year has been able to deliver it. This is the kind of leadership we are talking about. The right leadership gives the right results and it’s because we have that now, that we can getting the right result.

“When Mr. President inaugurated us in August 2023, he gave Myself and the Minister of state a matching order that any project that has not been completed, we must make sure that we complete projects before we embark on any new project and that is why what we’ve been doing since is completing all the projects that were awarded by previous administrations since 2007 to 2010 to 2015 to 2019. If you check our budget of 2024, 58 percent of our capital expenditure is tied to old projects and then 42 percent is to enable us go on new projects.

“That is leadership because Mr. President is focused and he has given the narrative that the is what must be done.”

On his part, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Hadi Ahmad, noted that the roads also provide a principal connection to the Central Area from the Airport Expressway, as well as a Presidential route connecting to the three arms zone and the Presidential Villa

He aaded that the roads consist of two main carriageways of two lanes and two bus lanes. The road stretch will eventually have 41-number bridges at various intersections and retaining walls”, he stated.