President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s unwavering dedication to grassroots-driven development, emphasizing equitable infrastructure distribution across Nigeria’s communities.
The President made this declaration on Friday, July 4, 2025, during the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated 10-kilometer Aguma Palace–Radio Nigeria–New Market Road in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu highlighted that the road project was chosen by the Gwagwalada people themselves. He praised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for ensuring its timely delivery, adding that the gesture exemplified a government that listens to and acts on the aspirations of its citizens.
“What makes today’s event so inspiring is that this project wasn’t dictated from the top. It was requested by the people of Gwagwalada, showing a democracy that listens, acts, and delivers. We are not just fixing roads; we are restoring trust,” he said.
The President noted that rural communities have been sidelined from development for too long, calling the rehabilitated road “a corridor of dignity for market women, a safe route for schoolchildren, and a path to prosperity for traders and commuters alike.”
He applauded the ongoing transformation across the FCT, attributing it to bold and reform-oriented policies that have significantly boosted the FCT’s internally generated revenue. This increase, he explained, has enabled the government to invest more in vital infrastructure like roads, hospitals, and schools.
President Tinubu also praised the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for his focused leadership and relentless drive, describing him as a public servant who “does not hold back” when it comes to development.
Speaking earlier, Barrister Wike emphasized the administration’s principles of inclusivity, transparency, and performance-driven governance. He stated that the road commissioning was part of the broader accountability framework, demonstrating that promises are being fulfilled.
He further highlighted the importance of empowering local contractors, applauding OKMAS Nigeria Ltd for completing the road within eight months. “We believe in Nigerian contractors. This administration is committed to promoting and supporting local expertise,” Wike stated.
The Minister expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for creating an enabling environment for infrastructure renewal throughout the FCT. “His policies are about impact, not politics. Despite distractions, the results are clear and visible,” he added.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, thanked President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their continuous backing, which she said has served as a catalyst for development across the capital and the nation.
She also acknowledged the National Assembly’s collaboration and the contribution of Gwagwalada’s traditional institutions. According to her, the rehabilitated road will strengthen social cohesion and significantly uplift the quality of life for rural residents in the FCT.
Presenting the technical overview of the project, the Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, explained that the work involved constructing a 10-kilometer road with integrated engineering infrastructure, including solar-powered streetlights.
He thanked the FCT Minister for entrusting the department with the task, emphasizing that the successful completion of the project reflects the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu and reinforces the administration’s commitment to equitable development across all six Area Councils.
The Managing Director of OKMAS Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Owhonda Ebere, also expressed his appreciation to the FCTA for its unwavering support and promotion of local content. He noted that the timely completion of the road had sparked renewed economic activity, especially around the once-deteriorating market area.
“Your Excellency, this road has rekindled hope in Gwagwalada. It is proof that Nigerian contractors can deliver when empowered,” Ebere affirmed.
