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• Wike rejects ADC’s claim FG only builds roads
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has said his administration is rebuilding the Federal Capital Territory to restore citizens’ trust and hope in government, as he inaugurated a new interchange linking Jahi and Gwarinpa districts in Abuja.
Represented at the ceremony by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu described the newly completed junction at the intersection of Arterial Road N16 and Ring Road II as evidence that “Abuja is changing.”
“One interchange at a time, one road at a time, we’re rebuilding trust and restoring hope,” the president said. “Together, we’ll build a country where every citizen can move freely, live safely and prosper. This intersection used to choke Abuja. Gridlock stretched from Maitama to Gishiri, from Jahi to Gwarinpa. Hours were lost, fuel was wasted and businesses were delayed. Today, that story ends. This interchange opens up critical districts of the FCT and connects them smoothly to the rest of the territory.”
Tinubu framed infrastructure as central to economic recovery under his Renewed Hope Agenda. “When we connect districts, we connect destinies,” he said. “That is the logic of the Renewed Hope Agenda: build the roads, unlock the economy, and let Nigerians thrive. The Jahi/Gwarimpa Interchange is proof that Nigeria is not beyond redemption.”
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He commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for driving the project and other works across the capital. “Nigerians can see it, critics can see it and residents feel it in their daily lives. Well done,” the president added.
Wike said the interchange project had been awarded shortly before Tinubu took office but lacked mobilisation, and praised the president for releasing funds to continue and complete it. “Mr President, you have shown that government is continuum. It doesn’t matter who awarded the project. What is important is to complete the project for the betterment and the development of society,” the minister said.
Responding to criticism from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the administration focuses only on roads while Nigerians face hunger, Wike called the claim misleading and pointed to recent water infrastructure inaugurations. “Let me say that it is not correct that we are only doing roads. It is not correct,” he said, noting the Karu Water Supply Network was inaugurated two days earlier and that a Bwari water network will be opened in July.
FCT Minister of State Mariya Mahmoud said the interchange will ease traffic, shorten travel times and improve access to commercial centres, supporting movement of people and goods as the FCT’s population grows.
Acting executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, said the Arterial Road N16 project was awarded in May 2023 for full development from Ring Road II to Ring Road III and is being delivered in phases. He said Phase I (Maitama) and much of Phase II (Katampe to Wole Soyinka Way) have been completed, while the Jahi section remains under construction. The overall project will span about 7.25 kilometres up to Ring Road III and will be finished in due course, he added.
Members of the FCDA, government officials and other stakeholders attended the inauguration.
