President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his role in transforming the nation’s capital during the commissioning ceremony of the Southern Parkway on Tuesday.
The newly completed road, named “Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way,” stretches from the National Christian Centre to Ring Road 1.
Tinubu, who flew in from Lagos on Tuesday, hailed Wike’s dedication to infrastructural development and applauded his efforts in rejuvenating the FCT.
“I will not say that I am surprised. Barrister Nyesom Wike, Mr Project, thank you for giving us this home, and sincere commitment to shared value. Well done, as a team leader, you work so hard, and tirelessly.
“I must recognise your vision that is revolutionary and very inspiring to many of our people. The changes you made to the FCT – structural and administrative – is yielding results and elevating the heart of many Nigerians, thank you very much,” Tinubu remarked.
The president emphasised the importance of the Southern Parkway in enhancing connectivity and improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
He said, “The transformative projects you are seeing, I heard from his remark that this project could have been an abandoned project of 13 years, scratching the surface. Once again, our dear landlord, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, thank you for bringing life back to our Federal Capital Territory. I understand the Southern Parkway not only represents a physical artery that connects vital areas within FCT but also symbolises our collective aspirations for connectivity, ease of livelihood, accessibility and progress. By providing a seamless and efficient transportation corridor, this road will not only ease traffic congestion but also enhance mobility and creativity for the residents and visitors to FCT. The completion of the Southern Parkway underscores our commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, as we strive to build a world-class capital city. We recognises the fact that infrastructure is an enabler of jobs, economic development and prosperity. We believe we are going to achieve all of that.
“The needs of our citizens are paramount in our minds, so by making our citizens the central focus of our development, we believe Nigeria will succeed. As we formally inaugurate this road, I am greatly honoured, I heard him mention my name as the beneficiary. Thank you very much; thank you for being a very good team leader, we all collectively will not let you down.
“To me, the contractor’s evaluation is in the hands of Nyesom Wike and his team. I just recognise his presence being here. The meaning of this success is more job, more hard work. On this note, I think I am ready to cut the tape and declare this road inaugurated.”
Earlier, the FCT Minister in his address, expressed his delight at the successful completion of the Southern Parkway, a project he said started in December 2010.
According to him, the project was initially awarded at N16.2bn, and the project’s cost was revised to N35bn due to changes in scope and economic factors.
Wike noted that the Parkway, encompassing a 5.4 km length with a total of 12 lanes and multiple interchanges, is designed to ease traffic and spur development in the southern parts of the city.
Wike reiterated the project’s alignment with President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and highlighted its role in alleviating traffic congestion and promoting socio-economic growth.
Wike said, “Your excellency, to bring the Level of development of the southern parkway to northern parkway, which was awarded in December 2010 to Mr Setraco Nigerian Limited at the total sum of N16.2bn was later revised to N35bn due to changes in scope and other economic indices, but this was done before the application came in.
“The scope of work comprised of the construction of 5.4km length of the road – made up of 2 main carriageways of 4 lanes each and 2 service carriageways of 2 lanes each, making a total of 12 lanes. It also includes the construction of 4 number Interchanges (a total of 8 bridges) in addition to the provision of associated underground engineering infrastructure facilities.”
“The completion of the project will indeed enhance traffic circulation around the City Centre thereby reducing delays in travel time; complementing the developed portion of the Northern Parkway by easing the traffic congestion experienced in the Southern Districts of Garki, Gudu, and Durumi as well as accelerating the development of the Southern axis of the city in general, thereby bringing improved socio-economic benefits to residents and visitors to the city,” he said.
The minister further said as part of the celebration of President Tinubu’s first year in office, the FCTA decided to name the parkway in his honour
He said, “The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the FCT Residents appreciate Mr. President’s support and laudable achievements. It is in this regard and for many other patriotic persuasions that the FCT Administration hereby humbly resolved that this very important road be named the “BOLA AHMED TINUBU WAY”.
Present at the event were Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the ruling party, along with senior government officials, industry leaders, and religious figures.