(President Bola Tinubu (R) and Nyesom Wike(L). Photo by Daily Trust)
President Bola Tinubu on Friday gave his strongest public endorsement yet of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, declaring that the former Rivers State governor has justified the confidence reposed in him to transform Abuja into a modern capital city.
The president, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, spoke at the commissioning of Collector Road CN2 (Emmanuel Okanla Boulevard) and other road networks in the Katampe District of the FCT.
He said that when he assigned Wike the task of making Abuja a true capital city, he already knew his track record, and that the minister had not disappointed him.
He credited Wike with transforming abandoned roads into new boulevards, delivering water projects and judicial quarters, and working tirelessly without excuses, noting that the people of the FCT had nicknamed him “Mr Project” for good reason.
Tinubu’s remarks came on the eighth day of a marathon commissioning exercise by the FCT Administration showcasing infrastructure projects delivered under Wike’s leadership.
He described the newly completed road as a symbol of the administration’s determination to restore confidence in governance through visible development, noting that the installation of solar-powered street lights along major corridors had improved security while reviving Abuja’s nightlife and economic activities.
According to the president, the installation of solar street lights had brightened Katampe at night, helping to revive city life in Abuja while pushing out criminal hideouts, which he said was a clear demonstration of what good governance delivers in terms of security, mobility and dignity.
He added that the road represented hope and was evidence that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was translating into tangible results.
In his remarks, Wike said the Katampe road project was conceived to close a critical infrastructure gap that became apparent after the completion of adjoining road networks.
He recalled that when the president commissioned the Gishiri road and the bridge linking Maitama the previous year, the Katampe road did not yet exist, explaining that his team identified the missing link and moved quickly to address it because infrastructure development must be approached holistically.
The minister noted that the project had already unlocked significant real estate development in Katampe, attracting investors and stimulating economic activity in the area.
Continuing his remarks at the commissioning, Wike said critics who claim nothing is happening in Nigeria need only look around Abuja, where construction sites, new buildings and heavy business investment offer clear evidence of progress.
The minister argued that infrastructure development remains one of the most effective tools for driving economic growth and job creation, noting that thousands of Nigerians have benefited directly and indirectly from ongoing projects across the territory.
He also highlighted efforts to extend development into satellite communities, citing the recently commissioned road linking the Tungan-Madaki communities, which he said had, for the first time, given many residents a real sense of government presence by connecting them to opportunities, schools, healthcare and economic activity.
He disclosed that another milestone would follow on Monday with the commissioning of a strategic water supply project in Karu, designed to improve access to potable water in satellite towns.
In her vote of thanks, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said the project reflected President Tinubu’s vision of using infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth, social inclusion and improved quality of life.
She commended the president, the National Assembly, Wike, engineers, contractors and community leaders for their contributions to the project’s successful delivery.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Richard Dauda, described the project as a 3.9-kilometre road network equipped with underground drainage systems, water pipelines, sewer infrastructure, telecommunications ducts, solar-powered street lighting, walkways and green areas.
He said the road improves connectivity between Katampe, Mabushi, Jahi, Maitama and adjoining districts, while opening up new corridors for residential and commercial development.
