Tinubu vows end to culture of abandoned projects

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared that his administration had ended the tradition of public infrastructure becoming trapped in prolonged delays and repeated budget cycles.

This was as he commissioned the full-scope development of Arterial Road N5, Obafemi Awolowo Way, connecting Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III in Dape District, Abuja.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, revealed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled ‘As FCT evolves into a worthy capital under APC: President Tinubu says nation’s capital will reflect Nigeria’s growing population, national identity.’

Represented at the commissioning by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu described infrastructure as the measure by which every nation announces its seriousness, and reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Abuja into a capital city that reflects Nigeria’s growing population, economic aspirations and national identity.

The President said, “Infrastructure is the measure by which every civilised nation announces its seriousness. No capital can carry the weight of national ambition if its arteries are blocked by neglect, excuses and abandoned promises.”

He noted that the project, awarded to Julius Berger with a 15-month execution timeline after its flag-off in October 2024, was conceived, funded and completed under the current administration.

“That is why we have ended the tradition of abandoned projects and restored faith in the power of government to finish what it starts.”

He said the completed N5 corridor now creates faster connections across Dape, Karmo, Gwarinpa I, Kado, Idu and Mbora while improving access to the Idu Industrial District.

For years, Life Camp Junction had been one of Abuja’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks, imposing significant time and economic costs on residents and businesses, he noted.

“With the completion of this N5 corridor, we are delivering the seamless district connectivity envisioned in the Abuja Master Plan,” the President said, adding that improved transport connectivity in the capital was expected to reduce logistics costs, encourage investment and support job creation.

Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for driving infrastructure execution in the capital.

He said, “The Honourable Minister has shown what happens when political will meets accountability. We fund projects to see results, not to hear explanations for failure.”

Tinubu called on residents and businesses to comply with tax obligations and land-related payments to strengthen the FCT Administration’s capacity to deliver more projects, and urged traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to protect public infrastructure from vandalism.

Wike told the gathering that the pace of development in satellite towns and communities under the Tinubu administration was unprecedented and the most visible evidence of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT.

The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmud, also praised the President’s commitment to infrastructure delivery and commended the Vice President’s support for FCT projects.

The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Administration, Richard Dauda, said the commissioning added to the growing list of completed projects under the administration and would significantly improve road infrastructure in the territory, particularly in connecting adjoining communities.