Tinubu unveils key Abuja road, promises faster economic linkages across FCT

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday inaugurated the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), stretching from Ring Road I Junction to Ring Road II Junction in Abuja, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen connectivity and accelerate economic activity across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Tinubu, who was represented by Godswill Akpabio, Senate President, said the completion of the strategic corridor reflects his administration’s broader infrastructure agenda aimed at unlocking growth, easing mobility and improving living standards.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects, stressing that infrastructure delivery remains central to driving productivity and expanding economic linkages across urban centres.

“We do not start projects to abandon them. The era of uncompleted projects in Nigeria is fading away. We finish what we start, and even the ones we did not start,” the President said.

Tinubu described infrastructure as a critical enabler of economic expansion, noting that the newly completed OSEX carriageway would deepen connectivity between key districts in Abuja while creating new opportunities for commerce and investment.

“What we are doing here today goes beyond laying asphalt. We are building the foundation for economic growth. If you want to create jobs, reduce hardship for commuters and unlock the potential of a city, you invest in roads,” he said.

He recalled that the OSEX project had progressed in phases, beginning with the Villa Roundabout to Ring Road I section commissioned in 2024, followed by the 15-kilometre left-hand service carriageway delivered in 2025, with the latest completion marking the Ring Road I to Ring Road II segment.

According to him, the latest milestone reinforces Abuja’s ongoing urban transformation and supports efforts to expand the city’s economic footprint.

The President also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as a results-driven approach to infrastructure delivery.

“The transformation we are witnessing in the FCT is a product of focus, vision and determination. I commend the Honourable Minister and his team for their commitment to reshaping the capital for long-term prosperity,” he said.

Addressing the minister directly, Tinubu said the administration’s infrastructure drive reflects a culture of accountability and performance.

“You have shown that public service is about delivery, not excuses. This is the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda—delivering results for Nigerians on time,” he added.

He noted that the newly completed road would help reduce traffic congestion, lower transport costs and strengthen economic integration between Apo, Wasa and adjoining districts within the FCT.

Earlier, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the FCT, said the successful delivery of the project was made possible through firm coordination between government and the contractor, CGC Nigeria Limited.

He disclosed that he had secured assurances from the contractor at the point of award in late 2025 that the project could be completed within the timeline set for the administration’s third anniversary in office.

Wike said he conducted multiple inspections of the project site—more than ten visits in total—to ensure adherence to agreed delivery schedules.

He described the project as evidence that infrastructure delivery is achievable when commitments are matched with execution.

The minister also linked the project to the administration’s broader policy of project continuity, noting that a significant share of ongoing works in the FCT were inherited from previous governments.

“Government is a continuum. These are public-funded projects, and we cannot afford to abandon them,” he said, adding that about 80 per cent of completed FCT projects since 2023 were inherited.

Wike also disclosed that infrastructure had been provided at the relocation site for traders and artisans from the Apo Mechanic Village, as part of efforts to formalise and improve conditions for the informal sector.

Responding to criticisms of the administration’s performance, he pointed to ongoing road and water projects across satellite towns including Kwali, Karu and Kubwa, arguing that development is being delivered across multiple fronts.

“Sometimes it is surprising when people say nothing is happening. These projects are visible and ongoing across the FCT,” he said.

Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State for the FCT, described the OSEX project as a key milestone in the capital’s infrastructure renewal programme.

She commended the administration’s focus on strategic investments in roads and related infrastructure, noting that such projects are translating policy objectives into tangible improvements in mobility and urban development.

Mahmoud also praised the leadership of the FCT Administration, saying sustained infrastructure delivery is reshaping Abuja and improving quality of life for residents.

The OSEX corridor is expected to ease traffic flow, improve inter-district connectivity and support the FCT’s broader urban expansion and modernisation agenda.