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• assures of measures to cushion effects
• We’ve kept our promises; now it’s your turn, Wike tells Apo mechanics, traders
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Friday acknowledged the hardship Nigerians are experiencing under his administration’s economic reforms, describing the measures as “difficult but necessary surgeries” as he commissioned access roads, power and water to the Informal Sector Layout in Wasa District.
Speaking at the official commissioning, the President who was represented by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass said he feels “your pain,” hears citizens’ concerns and “carries the weight of your daily struggles,” while urging patience and continued public support for his Renewed Hope Agenda.
“These economic reforms we have initiated are undoubtedly painful, and their immediate impact has been heavy on households and businesses alike,” Tinubu said. “However, I assure you with the utmost sincerity that these decisions were not made lightly; they are difficult but necessary surgeries required to save the patient.”
The President framed the Wasa works — which include roads, electricity poles and water mains intended for artisans, traders and mechanics relocated from Apo Mechanic Village — as part of a broader drive to restructure Nigeria’s economy and build durable infrastructure for the informal sector.
“What we are commissioning today goes far beyond the provision of access roads, erecting electricity poles, or laying water pipes. This is an investment in human dignity and economic freedom,” he said, adding that the informal sector “is the true engine of our economy, sustaining millions of livelihoods.”
President Tinubu praised the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, for their roles in delivering the project. “With the right political will, projects are not just conceptualized—they are executed with speed and precision,” he said.
The President said the relocation of mechanics and traders to the Wasa layout fulfilled a long-delayed promise and that the upgraded site would help boost Abuja’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and lower the cost of doing business. He urged beneficiaries to protect and maintain the infrastructure, and to use it to expand businesses and create employment.
Acknowledging the unpopularity of some policy choices, Tinubu promised cushioning measures and targeted interventions. “We are not just asking you to endure; we are actively working to cushion the effects and build a resilient economy. We are implementing targeted social intervention programs, investing heavily in agriculture to ensure food security, and creating jobs through massive structural developments like the one we see here today,” he said.
He appealed to citizens across the federation — youths, elders and artisans — to remain patient and supportive. “Your trust is the fuel that drives our resolve, and I promise you that your sacrifices will not be in vain,” he told the audience.
Wike on his part hailed the commissioning as the fulfilment of a long-standing promise to Apo traders and mechanics, and urged beneficiaries to end internal disputes and move into the new site.
He said the contract to provide the required infrastructure was awarded less than a year ago and delivered with speed.
“I thank God Almighty today, as Bola Ahmed Tinubu became the President of Nigeria, he discussed with them and told them that they’ll move them here. Just last year, November, this contract was awarded to provide infrastructure that will enable government to move the Apo traders and mechanic association here. This has been fulfilled,” Wike said, adding that the project’s quick delivery shows the administration’s commitment.
The minister recalled that discussions with stakeholders, including the Apo Mechanic Traders Association, began soon after the administration took office in August 2023. He noted previous governments had repeatedly promised relocation under Abuja’s master plan but failed to act.
“Unlike other governments that have come for how many years and have made promises… Asiwaju came in 2023, made the promise, this job was awarded last year, today, July, we are now commissioning it, paving the way for you to move over,” Wike said.
The minister praised the contractor, CGC, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and Area Council chairmen for ensuring contracts were delivered without community disputes. He said this was the fourth or fifth project flagged off or commissioned under CGC in the territory and pledged continued partnership.
Wike also appealed directly to the Apo traders and mechanics to resolve internal factional differences so they could relocate quickly and benefit from the upgraded facilities.
“Now that he has done his own, will you fulfill your own agreement?… I hope too that you have settled your differences so that we can do the needful,” he told the gathering.
He thanked President Tinubu, the National Assembly and other stakeholders for their support, and promised further projects for area councils that have cooperated with the administration.
He said Wasa works form part of the broader effort to relocate informal-sector activities from high-traffic or hazardous locations along OSEX Road to a purpose-built layout with roads, electricity and water. Wike said the full OSEX corridor — about 10 kilometres — will be completed and awarded before the end of Tinubu’s second term.
FCT Minister of State, Mahmoud earlier described the Wasa Informal Sector Layout commissioning as a major milestone in the FCTA’s drive to open up communities, improve livelihoods and deepen inclusive development across the Territory.
She said the project goes beyond physical infrastructure — it signals hope, purposeful leadership and the fulfilment of government’s promise to bring development closer to the people.
Mahmoud added that providing roads, electricity and water under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda shows the FCTA’s commitment to leaving no part of the capital behind. She thanked President Tinubu for his leadership and praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his bold, results‑driven stewardship in transforming Abuja.
The commissioning forms part of the administration’s stated aim to end abandoned public projects in the FCT and deliver infrastructure that benefits ordinary Nigerians. At the ceremony, Mr. Tinubu declared the access roads, power and water supply open “to the glory of Almighty God and for the use of our people.”
