DAY 3 OF PROJECT COMMISSIONINGS: PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMISSIONS AIRPORT EXPRESSWAY TO KUJE TOWN ROAD

… says true democracy must be felt in every community, not just the city centre

…By: Wisdom Acka and Prudence Okonna

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the dividends of democracy must reach every community across the country, stressing that meaningful governance is measured not by development in city centres alone but by the impact of government projects on ordinary citizens in rural and satellite communities.

The President, who was represented Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning of the newly completed Highway FCT 105 from the Airport Expressway to Kuje Township Junction on Thursday, 11th June, 2026, said the six-lane dual carriageway demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering infrastructure that improves lives and drives economic growth.

“Beyond the concrete and asphalt, this project speaks to a larger vision. The Renewed Hope Agenda is not for the city centre alone. True democracy must be felt at the grassroots. It must be felt in Kuje. It must be felt by the commuter coming from and going to Kuje. It must be felt by every Nigerian.” President Tinubu said.

Adding that the commissioning is not merely an infrastructure delivery but as a testament to his administration’s fidelity to its vows.

“I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude. Indeed, we are not just commissioning a road. We are keeping a promise,” the President’s emphasised

The President described the project as a game changer that would eliminate the traffic bottlenecks that previously plagued the corridor, reduce travel time and unlock new economic opportunities for residents.

“We are giving people their time back, and time is money. We are putting that time back into their pockets,” he stated.

According to him, the road would stimulate investment, increase property values, enhance agricultural productivity and contribute significantly to the decongestion of Abuja’s city centre.

Asserting a new operational philosophy, the president said “Three years ago, we took an oath to serve you. We promised to end the era of abandoned projects. Today, Federal Highway 105 is proof that we keep our word. Let me be clear: my administration does not inherit problems to abandon them. We inherit challenges to solve them.”

President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration would continue investing in roads, railways and other critical infrastructure across the country, stressing that sustainable development requires collaboration between government and citizens.

He urged residents, business owners and developers to fulfil their civic responsibilities and protect public infrastructure from vandalism. Calling on residents to pay their ground rents and taxes.

“This road belongs to the people. Protect the streetlights, drainage systems and walkways. Guard what has been built, and it will serve generations yet unborn,” the President said.

Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for driving the administration’s infrastructure agenda and ensuring the completion of strategic projects across the territory.

“Therefore, when I appointed the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, I did so because he delivers. Where there was delay, we brought political will. Where there were obstructions, we paid compensation because we respect the law and we value progress,” he stated.

In his remarks, the FCT Minister described the commissioning as one of the most fulfilling moments of his tenure, recalling that the road had become a major concern during consultations with stakeholders and traditional rulers in Kuje shortly after the administration assumed office.

The minister disclosed that the project, originally awarded on February 4, 2022, at a cost exceeding N54 billion, had suffered significant delays before the current administration intervened.

According to him, traditional rulers in Kuje had appealed to the government to rehabilitate the road and restore contractor activities on the project due to its poor condition and security challenges.

“This is one road I never dreamt that today we would come and commission. It was a very difficult road. It became a political road. People had lost hope that development would come to Kuje,” Wike said.

He noted that before reconstruction, the corridor had become a death trap, exposing commuters to criminal activity and hindering access to the area.

“With this road, we are opening up our satellite towns, increasing property values, attracting investment and helping our farmers move their produce to markets without delay. This is how you build an economy from the ground up,” Barr. Wike added.

The minister attributed the successful completion of the project to President Tinubu’s support and the administration’s determination to restore hope to residents of satellite towns.

Wike also praised Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited for delivering the project despite funding and technical challenges, revealing that he conducted more than 15 inspection visits to ensure timely completion.

He further announced that the administration would soon commission the Kuje-Gwagwalada road project as part of ongoing efforts to expand infrastructure development across the Federal Capital Territory.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariam Mahmoud, described the project as a powerful symbol of visionary leadership and the fulfilment of promises made to Nigerians.

She said the road stands as evidence of the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, economic growth and improving the quality of life of residents.

“Today is not merely the commissioning of a road; it is a celebration of purposeful leadership, visionary governance and the fulfilment of a promise to our people,” Mahmoud said.

She expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, the National Assembly, the FCT Minister, community leaders and other stakeholders for their support toward the successful delivery of the project.

Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Richard Dauda, provided details of the project, describing FCT Highway 105 as a critical regional transportation corridor planned to traverse the Federal Capital Territory from north to south.

Dauda explained that the highway is designed to link the Abuja-Zuba Road and the Murtala Muhammed Expressway in the north to the Abuja-Lokoja Road in the south, while also connecting future federal highways and districts within the territory.

According to him, the full highway spans approximately 76 kilometres, with the Airport Expressway-Kuje section representing the first phase of the larger development.

He said the completed phase consists of 8.6 kilometres of dual carriageway with three lanes on each side, making it a six-lane highway.

The Executive Secretary disclosed that construction works included over 107,000 cubic metres of rock blasting and approximately 934,000 cubic metres of earthworks.

Other components of the project, he said, include eight drainage structures comprising box and pipe culverts, 7.2 kilometres of U-channel drains, 17 kilometres of trapezoidal drains, two river bridges, two interchange bridges, street lighting and other road infrastructure.

“The completion of this project has increased circulation, improved socio-economic activities and attracted significant investments to this corridor,” he added.