President Bola Tinubu on Friday appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with his administration’s economic reforms, saying the current hardship was a necessary sacrifice to build a stronger economy.
Tinubu made the appeal while commissioning the access roads, power and water supply to the Informal Sector Layout in Wasa District, Abuja, paving the way for the long-delayed relocation of the Apo Mechanic Village and other informal sector operators.
Represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, Tinubu acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians but insisted the reforms were unavoidable if the country was to overcome years of structural challenges.
“I am deeply aware of the current economic realities across our nation. As your President, I feel your pain, I hear your concerns, and I carry the weight of your daily struggles. The economic reforms we have initiated are undoubtedly painful, and their immediate impact has been heavy on households and businesses alike,” he said.
The President described the policies as “difficult but necessary surgeries” needed to rebuild the economy on a sustainable foundation.
“We are painstakingly tearing down the broken structures of the past to lay an unshakeable, sustainable foundation for a prosperous future. Your sacrifices will not be in vain,” Tinubu assured.
He said his administration would continue to cushion the impact of the reforms through targeted social intervention programmes, investments in agriculture to improve food security, job creation initiatives and critical infrastructure development.
Tinubu said the Wasa infrastructure project demonstrated his administration’s commitment to extending development to every segment of society, particularly operators in the informal sector.
“When we presented the Renewed Hope Agenda, we promised that no segment of society would be left behind and that infrastructure would not be built only for the elite but as a ladder for the economic empowerment of everyday Nigerians,” he stated.
He said mechanics, artisans and traders who had operated for years under difficult conditions at the Apo Mechanic Village would now have access to a planned environment with modern infrastructure to grow their businesses.
According to him, the project goes beyond roads, electricity and water supply, representing an investment in human dignity and economic freedom.
“The informal sector is the true engine of our economy, sustaining millions of livelihoods. By providing premium infrastructure here in Wasa, we are transforming this district into a modern commercial hub that will boost Abuja’s Internally Generated Revenue and reduce the cost of doing business,” he added.
Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for delivering infrastructure projects with speed, and praised the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, for supporting the administration’s development agenda.
He added that the performance of the FCT Administration showed that the era of abandoned public projects in the nation’s capital was coming to an end.
Speaking at the event, Wike said the commissioning fulfilled a promise successive administrations had failed to keep for more than a decade.
He recalled that shortly after assuming office in August 2023, the FCT Administration held consultations with stakeholders, including members of the Apo Mechanic Traders Association, on implementing Abuja’s master plan.
According to him, relocating traders and mechanics from the Apo corridor to the Wasa Informal Sector Layout had remained an unfulfilled commitment despite repeated assurances by previous governments.
“Every government promised to relocate the Apo traders and mechanics to this district because remaining on the roadside was not conducive. Those promises were never fulfilled until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came into office,” Wike said.
The minister said the supporting infrastructure contract was awarded in November 2025 and completed within months, allowing the relocation process to begin.
“This contract was awarded in November last year. Today, we are commissioning it. It is not even up to one year. That is the difference commitment makes,” he stated.
Wike urged members of the Apo Mechanic Traders Association to honour their part of the agreement by relocating to the new site.
“When we came, I told you that the promise Mr. President made would be fulfilled, and you also assured us that once government fulfilled its promise, you would fulfil yours. Now government has done its part. I hope you will also do yours,” he said.
He also appealed to members of the association to resolve their internal disagreements to ensure a smooth relocation.
“I know there have been differences among you. Please put your house in order so that you can move here comfortably and enjoy this environment,” he urged.
Wike commended host communities in Wasa for cooperating with contractors during the project and praised CGC Nigeria Limited for completing the work on schedule.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Area Council chairmen and other stakeholders to the project’s completion.
The minister assured residents that more infrastructure projects would be extended to the Area Councils as part of the administration’s commitment to balanced development across the FCT.
Earlier, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as another milestone in the FCT Administration’s efforts to promote inclusive development and improve livelihoods.
She said the provision of roads, electricity and water to the Informal Sector Layout reflected the administration’s commitment to extending development to underserved communities.