President Bola Tinubu on Friday gave his strongest public endorsement yet of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, saying the former Rivers State governor has justified the confidence reposed in him to transform Abuja into a modern capital city.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning of Collector Road CN2 (Emmanuel Okanla Boulevard) and other roads in Katampe, the President praised Wike’s work.
“When I gave him the assignment to make Abuja a true capital city, I knew his track records. Wike, you have not disappointed Mr President.
“From transforming abandoned roads into new boulevards, to delivering water projects and judicial quarters, you work day and night. You do not give excuses; you give results. The people of the FCT call you ‘Mr Project’ for a reason”
Tinubu’s remarks came on the eighth day of a marathon commissioning by the FCT Administration. He said the new road shows the administration’s drive for visible development, adding: “We have installed solar street lights, and today Katampe is bright at night. Abuja’s city life is coming back, and criminal hideouts are disappearing. This is exactly what good governance delivers: security, mobility and dignity,” Tinubu said, adding that the road “represents hope” and demonstrates that the Renewed Hope Agenda “is translating into tangible results.”
Wike said the Katampe road closed a missing link after nearby roads were finished. “Last year, when Mr President commissioned the Gishiri road and the bridge linking Maitama, this road did not even exist. We identified the missing link and immediately moved to address it because infrastructure must be holistic,” he said.
He added that the project has unlocked real estate development and jobs. “People say nothing is happening in Nigeria, but when you look around Abuja and see construction sites everywhere, new buildings emerging daily and businesses investing heavily, the evidence speaks for itself,” he said..
Wike said work is reaching satellite communities, citing a road to Tungan-Madaki and promising a Karu water supply commissioning on Monday: “For the first time, many of these communities are experiencing what government presence truly means. We are connecting people to opportunities, schools, healthcare and economic activities,” he said.
Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the FCT, thanked Tinubu, the National Assembly, Wike, engineers, contractors and community leaders. Acting FCDA Exec Sec Richard Dauda said the 3.9km road has underground drainage, water and sewer pipelines, telecoms ducts, solar lights, walkways and green areas, and links Katampe, Mabushi, Jahi, Maitama and adjoining districts, opening new corridors for development.
