Abuja, FCT – President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday lauded the performance of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, and openly stated the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s readiness to welcome him into the party should he choose to join. The President made these remarks during the commissioning of the Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way), a vital infrastructure project in Abuja’s Maitama District.
The newly commissioned road, connecting Ring Road 1 (Nnamdi Azikiwe Way) to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) along with its interchanges and feeder roads, was executed under the leadership of the FCT Administration led by Minister Wike.
Commending Wike for his dedication and collaborative approach to governance, President Tinubu stated, “He could not achieve this alone without your full cooperation as a team builder and player. You have proved that teamwork is the hallmark of good leadership.”
President Tinubu also acknowledged the invaluable support from traditional rulers and local communities, particularly for their role in the peaceful relocation of residents affected by the development. “I commend the Minister for relocating the local communities affected by the development, with peace and good compensation. The government has played its part. I urge you to protect this infrastructure and use it wisely,” he urged.
Amidst significant applause, President Tinubu playfully addressed Minister Wike’s current political affiliation. “He’s not a member of my party, not yet. But the day he changes his mind and registers with the Progressives, we will welcome him because we will enjoy him singing as ‘e dey sweet us’,” the President remarked.
President Tinubu described the Arterial Road N16 project as more than just a thoroughfare, emphasizing its symbolic significance. “It affirms our commitment to transformation under our Renewed Hope Agenda. What was once a missing link is now a modern, functional, and durable infrastructure, an artery fully realized through the leadership of the FCT Administration under the Honourable Minister, Barrister Wike,” he explained.
He highlighted that this corridor had remained underdeveloped for years despite being an integral component of the Abuja Master Plan. “This road will ease traffic congestion around Central Abuja and improve connectivity to developing districts such as Katampe, Jahi, and Bwari. It will stimulate housing and business growth while serving as a foundation for future city integration,” he added.
Reiterating the critical role of infrastructure in national progress, President Tinubu affirmed: “Infrastructure is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration, and economic opportunity. There is no way industrialization will flourish without good roads. We invest in roads, rail, power, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure. We can only unlock Nigeria’s full potential through this coordinated and integrated development. I promise you, we will.”
The President reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering resolve to deliver tangible results, irrespective of political distractions. “We will continue to build and serve the people, no matter how much the lesser minds pursue their politics,” he declared.
In his remarks, Minister Wike commended President Tinubu for effectively restoring public trust in government and boosting contractor confidence, which he attributed to the accelerated completion of key infrastructure projects in the FCT. “This road was awarded by the administration. It is not one of those projects we inherited,” Wike stated, noting that the Federal Executive Council approved the project in September 2023, with flag-off following just a month later.
He admitted to initial skepticism about the contractor, CGC Nigeria Limited, until he observed their performance on another project. “Companies and contractors are competing among themselves to have jobs awarded to them, and they are ready to mobilize to the site without the government paying them for the initial mobilization. That is confidence-building, and that’s what you’ve created,” Wike told the President. He further predicted, “No contract that you have awarded under the city was abandoned. By the time you do your third anniversary next year, you will see that virtually all the contracts you awarded under you as the President will have finished, to the glory of God.”
The Minister underscored the strategic importance of the newly completed road, noting its connection to critical judicial and administrative zones. “It leads to the judges’ quarters, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, and the Federal Capital Territory, and the judges’ court is almost ready,” he explained.
Wike also reiterated his earlier assertion that the Tinubu administration’s visible impact had effectively neutralized the efforts of the opposition’s ‘coalition’ movement. “Your good works have defeated the coalition. I have instructed my people to ensure that every national television station must hook into the inauguration of projects. They will see what is happening on national television every day on every television channel. They have no choice but to watch Mr. President for the next 17 days,” he stated.
Providing a technical overview, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), explained that the Arterial Road N16 spans 3.7 kilometers, commencing from Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (Ring Road One) near Transcorp Hilton and extending to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way). “The corridor integrates Maitama, Katampe, Utako, Jahi, and surrounding districts, providing critical linkages for residents and commercial users,” Dauda detailed.
He added that the project scope included the construction of an interchange with two bridges, a flyover with interconnecting loops linking Ring Road One, and a flyover over the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway. “The arterial N16 is a six-lane dual carriageway with covered parking lanes, effectively making it an eight-lane road,” he clarified. Dauda confirmed that the road was delivered with comprehensive engineering infrastructure, including underground surface water drainage systems, various culverts, foul sewer and water supply networks, telecommunication ducts, and modern street lighting systems, adding that the project is practically completed and ready for use, providing crucial circulation and connection within the city.
