By Fred Itua, Abuja
When Bola Ahmed Tinubu ran for the office of the President in 2023, his campaign was premised on the Renewed Hope Agenda. While touring the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Tinubu promised to bridge the infrastructure deficit, fix the ailing economy, solve the hydro-headed insecurity and provide jobs for millions of jobless Nigerians. One year into his administration as President, Nigerians have continued to query the fulfilment or otherwise of those promises.
•One of the roads
While there may be doubts in other parts of the country, in Abuja, however, residents appear to be enjoying the dividends of Tinubu’s government. For nine consecutive days, President Tinubu inaugurated projects executed by the Nyesom Wike-led FCT administration in nine months to celebrate the first anniversary of the administration. For many residents and the international community, it was a great sigh of relief.
•President Tinubu inaugurating one of the projects
Though President Tinubu didn’t extend the project inauguration to Abuja’s satellite towns, the administration of Wike has also extended the Renewed Hope Agenda to the periphery of the nation’s capital. The five area councils are getting the infrastructural attention they have painfully been deprived of for almost a decade, when Musa Bello held sway as FCT minister.
Amid the biting high cost of fares, Tinubu, during the opening of relaunched Abuja Light Rail, declared seven months of free train rides for passengers. The Abuja metro station was first inaugurated in 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike had earlier announced free train rides for two months to ease the burden of commuting for residents of the FCT. But while flagging off the mass transit rail programme, the President appealed for the extension to offer hope to the people of the FCT to enable residents to celebrate the new administration.
He said: “Our dear landlord (referring to Wike) and his team, I heard you saying two months’ free ride. I appeal to you to make it till the end of the year. Since today, you’re not going to charge me, that will give the people hope and reasons to celebrate.”
He said it was his desire to have a functional federal capital with efficient infrastructure. He made a request and challenged the FCT minister that he didn’t need land but would like to ride on the train. The President said Wike demonstrated unusual capacity in truly serving the nation.
The contract for the project was awarded by the Federal Capital Territory Administration in 2007 and had a trial operation from September 2018 to March 2020 after completion. It, however, suffered hiccups as the COVID-19 pandemic affected the continuous trial operation, coupled with massive vandalism of key components, which resulted in the ARMT system not operating since 2020.
During the nine days’ inauguration fiesta, the President unveiled the Southern Parkway, the S8/S9, Christian Centre to Ring Road 1, in the FCT. Inaugurating the road formerly known as Southern Parkway, President Tinubu said the completion of the road underscored his administration’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
“We recognise the fact that infrastructure is an enabler of economic development and prosperity. We believe we are going to achieve all of that. I commend the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the completion of the road project,” Tinubu remarked.
Abuja Business District wasn’t exempted from the projects. Tinubu, during the long events, commissioned the N98.8 billion roads B6, B12, and Circle Road located within the central area of the nation’s capital. He noted that the completed road infrastructure would enhance economic activities, improve accessibility and a higher quality of life for Nigerians.
“It is with a deep sense of pride that I inaugurate Roads B6, B12 and Circle Road in the Central Area of the now beautiful city of Abuja, completed in record time, under the watch of the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, under one year in office.
“This event stands as a testament to this administration’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development and urban renewal, a cornerstone of our vision for a more prosperous and much more connected Nigeria. When I assumed office one year ago, my administration set forth an ambitious agenda to transform our nation’s infrastructural landscape. We recognise that an efficient transport network remains vital for economic growth, social integration and overall national development.
“Today, as we commission these strategic roads, we are not just opening pathways of asphalt and concrete but also paving the way to enhance economic activities, improve accessibility and a higher quality of life for our citizens. Roads B6 (Constitution Avenue) and Road B12 (Independence Avenue), are located in Abuja’s Central Area District within the zone of the city, which houses the Three-Arms Zone, cultural and diplomatic zones, as well as ministries, state liaison offices, corporate and commercial offices,” Tinubu said.
For over two decades, Wuye, one of the sprawling districts in Abuja, was cut off from the rest of the city. Accessing other connecting districts in Abuja from Wuye was impossible. Hence, many residents avoided the area. However, reprieve came during the inauguration of projects in Abuja by President Tinubu. While launching the link bridge in Wuye, Tinubu described the project as critical to boosting the economic well-being of citizens living in that axis, as well as the surrounding communities.
Tinubu seized the brief inauguration ceremony to commend Wike, saying his commitment to birthing a standard capital city with adequate infrastructure was unrivaled.
He reassured FCT residents that his administration was also investing in essential services such as water supply, electricity and road networks that lay the groundwork for economic growth and prosperity, to share progress and improvement in the quality of life for all residents of Abuja Capital Territory.
“With the completion of this project, we will witness a fast improvement in traffic flow within the district and the adjoining districts,” Tinubu said at the event.
One of the major highlights was the commissioning of the official residence of the vice president. Tinubu, during the ceremony, said the completion of the project was part of his administration’s commitment to complete all inherited projects.
“As we commission this state-of-the-art edifice as the official residence of the vice president, we are fulfilling a longstanding commitment and reaffirming our unwavering dedication to accountability, transparency and efficient utilisation of resources for the betterment of our nation.
“I hold a very strong opinion that abandoning projects after substantial expenditure have been incurred is inherently wasteful and it is in the best interest of the government and the public to see them through to completion. I, therefore, once again, want to express my gratitude to the FCT Administration for taking up the responsibility and feel duty-bound to complete this project to avoid wastage of taxpayers’ money,” he said
Underscoring the importance of the project, President Tinubu explained that “the provision of a suitable residence for the vice president is not merely a matter of convenience” but also “a symbol of respect for the office and the individual who occupies it.
“However, rather than dwell on past shortcomings, you have chosen to seize this opportunity to demonstrate our resolve to confront obstacles head-on and deliver on the promises made to the Nigerian people in line with our Renewed Hope Agenda, which has the completion of inherited projects as one of its cardinal objectives.”
The long event was concluded last Saturday, with Tinubu naming the M18 road in the Guzape District Lot II of Abuja as Chinua Achebe Expressway.
“Minister Nyesom Wike has provided exceptional leadership at a trying time for the country. It has been a very challenging time for us in the country. We are still retooling and rejigging our financial system to bring prosperity and relief to the people of this country. You have demonstrated the capacity to build a team, lead a team, and deliver on promises. I commend you, well done.
“To all of you here, to the district head of Guzape, and the representatives, litigation is not the answer. Compensation is the answer.
Development that is focused on the people for economic prosperity and benefits is what we should pursue.
“Of what value is a swathe of land that is blocked by hills and rocks, and that is inaccessible? Let us talk to our people and come together to help build Nigeria. I stand here as President; I do not have a plot of land here (Guzape District). But I have the people’s support and the mandate to deliver good quality of life and a living environment.
“That should be enough for all of us to share in the joy of commitment, dedication, perseverance and the little gifts God has endowed us,” the President said.
An elated Wike, while rounding off the exercise, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for all the support since he was appointed minister of the FCT in August 2023. He said the President has never interfered or asked for any personal thing.
“Since I assumed office on August 21, 2023, you have never one day interfered in my work,” Wike said to the applause of the gathering. “Never one day have you called me that this is what you want, you have never. Sometimes, I pretend I will come to you and say, ‘Are there people complaining?’ You will tell me ‘Have I ever called you one day? So don’t bother yourself, go and do your job.’
“I must say I and the minister of state are sincerely happy that you gave us the free hand to work, and this is what we are seeing today,” Wike revealed.
The minister also pledged the FCT Administration’s commitment to complete the projects in the diplomatic area of Abuja. He assured the President that the projects would be completed by next year, describing the area as a preferred residential choice for most Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Wike is expected to continue the inspection and inauguration of projects across the six area councils. In all six area councils, there are different ongoing projects: roads, schools, hospitals and other rehabilitation exercises. The other planned commissioning, however, will be done without the presence of President Tinubu, who, in the last nine days, has repeatedly commissioned critical projects in every nook and cranny of the nation’s capital.