By Ben Adoga, with agency report
President Bola Tinubu says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is ready to welcome Mr Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whenever he decides to join the party.
The President stated this at the commissioning of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way), which connects Ring Road 1 (Nnamdi Azikiwe Way) to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way), along with accompanying interchanges and feeder roads in the Maitama District of Abuja, on Wednesday.
The Wike-led FCT administration oversaw the execution of the projects.
Commending Wike for his dedication and collaborative approach to governance, the President said: “He could not achieve this alone without your full cooperation as a team builder and player. You have proved that teamwork is the hallmark of good leadership.”
Tinubu acknowledged the support of traditional rulers and local communities, especially in ensuring the smooth relocation of residents affected by the development:
“I commend the Minister for relocating the local communities affected by the development, with peace and reasonable compensation. The government has played its part. I urge you to protect this infrastructure and use it wisely.
“He’s not a member of my party, not yet. But the day he changes his mind and registers with the Progressives, we will welcome him because we will enjoy him singing as ‘e dey sweet us,” Tinubu said.
He described the project as more than a stretch of road: “It affirms our commitment to transformation under our Renewed Hope Agenda.
“What was once a missing link is now a modern, functional, and durable infrastructure, an artery fully realised through the leadership of the FCT Administration under the Honourable Minister, Barrister Wike.”
He noted that the corridor had remained underdeveloped for years despite being an integral part of the Abuja Master Plan.
“This road will ease traffic congestion around Central Abuja and improve connectivity to developing districts such as Katampe, Jahi, and Bwari.
“It will stimulate housing and business growth while serving as a foundation for future city integration,” he added.
Tinubu reiterated that infrastructure development was essential to Nigeria’s progress, saying, “Infrastructure is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration, and economic opportunity.
“There is no way industrialisation will flourish without good roads. We invest in roads, rail, power, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure. We can only unlock Nigeria’s full potential through this coordinated and integrated development. I promise you, we will.”
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuing to deliver results, regardless of political distractions.
“We will continue to build and serve the people, no matter how much the lesser minds pursue their politics,” he said.
*Wike dismisses coalition against President in 2027, says it will fail
Meanwhile, Wike has declared that the opposition coalition against the President was bound to fail.
The FCT Minister declared this in his welcome address during the commissioning of the N16 road interchange.
Wike also boasted that no contract would be abandoned in the life of this administration. He assured the President that, in his third inauguration, all contracts approved by the FEC would be completed.
He thanked Mr. President for the revolution that has taken place in the FCT.
Wike, however, warned those who don’t see anything good in what the government does. He said such people should prepare for higher blood pressure, as the government was ready to continue working despite the angst of such people.
“For 17 days, they will continue to watch Mr. President on all national television commissioning projects, and their blood pressure will continue to rise.
“They will continue to watch it for 10 out of the 17 days. Those who say they are not happy will have their blood pressure increase. By Friday, we’ll go to Apo, a 15-kilometre road to Wassa; by Monday, we’ll resume at another site, so they won’t know what to do. The coalition is bound to fail.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Yonana, gave an overview of the project.
Yohana, who presented a technical brief, explained that the completed Arterial Road N16 begins at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (Ring Road One) near the Transcorp Hilton and extends to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way).
“The corridor integrates Maitama, Katampe, Utako, Jahi, and surrounding districts, providing critical linkages for residents and commercial users.
“The scope of work includes the construction of an interchange with two bridges, a flyover with interconnecting loops that link Ring Road One, and a flyover over the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway.
“The arterial N16 is a six-lane dual carriageway with covered parking lanes, effectively making it an eight-lane road,” he said.
He added that the 3.7-kilometre road was delivered with complete engineering infrastructure, including underground surface water drainage systems, box and pipe culverts of various sizes, foul sewer and water supply networks, telecommunication ducts and modern street lighting systems.
“The work has been practically completed and is ready to be used. The completion of this project has provided the much-needed circulation and connection within the city, especially linking the 21 districts of Maitama, Utako, Jahi, and others,” Dauda said.
