TINUBU COMMISSIONS JAHI-GWARINPA INTERCHANGE, SAYS ERA OF GRIDLOCK IS OVER

By: Wisdom Acka

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commissioned the Jahi-Gwarinpa Interchange in Abuja, describing the project as a major milestone in ending the persistent traffic congestion that has plagued movement between key districts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the commissioning ceremony in Jahi District, the President said the project reflects the practical impact of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and highlighted the collaborative efforts of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud.

Standing before the newly completed interchange at the intersection of Arterial Road N16 and Ring Road II, Tinubu said the project represented more than physical infrastructure.

“This is not just a bridge and slip roads. This is freedom of movement. This is time returned to our people. This is Renewed Hope you can drive on,” he stated.

The President recalled the severe traffic challenges that previously affected commuters in the area.

“Gridlock stretched from Maitama to Gishiri, from Jahi to Gwarimpa. Hours were lost, fuel was wasted, and businesses suffered delays. Today, that story ends,” he said.

According to him, the interchange will improve the movement of people and goods, reduce travel time, enhance productivity, and strengthen security by eliminating prolonged traffic bottlenecks that often create opportunities for criminal activities.

Tinubu emphasized that infrastructure development remains central to national growth and prosperity.

“Infrastructure is the foundation of prosperity. Roads are the arteries of a nation. When we connect districts, we connect destinies,” he said, adding that the project demonstrates what can be achieved through focus, discipline, and political will.

The President commended the leadership of the FCT Administration, particularly Minister Wike, for driving the ongoing transformation of Abuja.

“Wike, you are delivering. You took my charge to make Abuja work, and you are executing it well. From roads to bridges, from the city centre to satellite towns, you are domesticating Renewed Hope across the FCT,” he said.

He also praised Dr. Mariya Mahmoud for her support and contribution to the administration’s developmental agenda.

“The FCTA team is working as one, and the results speak for themselves,” Tinubu noted.

Addressing residents of Jahi, Gwarimpa, Katampe and surrounding communities, the President thanked them for their patience during the construction period and urged them to protect the facility.

“You endured the inconvenience because you believed tomorrow would be better. Today, tomorrow is here. This interchange belongs to you. Own it,” he said.

He also encouraged citizens to fulfil their civic responsibilities, particularly in the payment of taxes and levies, to enable government to deliver more developmental projects.

Tinubu further commended the contractor, CBC Global, for delivering the project on schedule and for providing employment opportunities for local youths during construction.

“Abuja is changing. One interchange at a time, one road at a time, we are rebuilding trust and restoring hope,” he said.

Earlier, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike explained that the project was awarded during the final phase of the previous administration but stressed that effective leadership is measured by the ability to complete inherited projects for the benefit of citizens.

He noted that the current administration had demonstrated the political will required to ensure the project’s completion.

Wike also recounted how a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria resident in Gwarimpa expressed surprise that the long-awaited project had finally become a reality.

The Minister stated that the administration’s development efforts extend beyond road infrastructure, citing ongoing investments in water projects across satellite towns such as Karu and Bwari.

According to him, previous administrations did not make adequate budgetary provisions for such projects, whereas the current government has not only allocated resources but ensured their release and implementation.

He described the commissioning as part of a broader programme of infrastructural development across the FCT and the country.

Wike further referenced a recent statement by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that even opposition voices had acknowledged the administration’s achievements in road construction.

Reaffirming the importance of infrastructure, he said roads remain essential to improving access to healthcare, education, agriculture and economic opportunities.

The Minister also disclosed that more than 25,000 Certificates of Occupancy had been signed under his administration in less than three years.

In her remarks, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the interchange would significantly improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and support the growing transportation needs of Abuja’s rapidly expanding population.

She commended President Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructure development, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda continues to deliver projects that improve the quality of life of residents.

Mahmoud described Wike as a result-driven leader whose commitment to rapid development is accelerating Abuja’s transformation into a modern and globally competitive capital city.

She also called on residents to safeguard public infrastructure and support government initiatives aimed at building a more connected, prosperous and inclusive Federal Capital Territory.