Tinubu Commissions New Arterial Road To Ease Traffic In Six Abuja Districts
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, commissioned the newly constructed Arterial Road N5, now named Obafemi Awolowo Way, linking Life Camp Junction to Ring Road 3 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The road is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity across several districts.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, described the commissioning as a significant step towards delivering modern infrastructure that meets global standards.
“It is a thing of great joy for me to commission the Arterial Road N5 from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road 3 in the heart of the Federal Capital City. The arterial road represents what we can achieve when vision meets action,” the President said in his message.
The president noted that the road, named after the late nationalist Chief Obafemi Awolowo, symbolises forward-thinking leadership and reflects his administration’s commitment to enhancing the daily lives of Nigerians.
He commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the FCT administration, residents, stakeholders, and contractors Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for making the project a reality.
“With this commissioning, traffic circulation around Dape, Gwarimpa 1, Kado, Karsana, Idu, and Dambora will be greatly eased, while further decongesting Life Camp Junction and adjoining neighbourhoods,” Tinubu said, and urged residents to take ownership of the road, protect it, and use it wisely.
In his address, the FCT Minister, Wike hailed the project as a symbol of inclusive development, while calling attention to the need for fairness in governance and compensation practices.
Wike revealed that the project, awarded in September 2023 and flagged off in October of the same year, faced hurdles over compensation claims, with some residents initially denied payment on the grounds that they were not indigenous to the area.
“I said it is not under this administration of President Tinubu that this will happen. Somebody’s living here in his house, and you want to bring his house down, and you say you’re not going to pay compensation because he’s not an indigene. I said no. That is not what we should allow. All of them who have houses here were paid, and that’s how we were able to do this road,” Wike said.
He commended Julius Berger for its timely delivery of the project, and highlighted that it would form part of President Tinubu’s second-year anniversary achievements.
The Minister also urged Abuja residents to support government development efforts by paying their taxes, while stressing that infrastructure growth depends on citizens’ civic responsibility.
“This administration has shown commitment to making Abuja a true capital city that meets global standards. But we cannot do it without the support of residents. No Nigerian is second-class; every Nigerian has a right to development and fairness,” Wike said.
The commissioning had in attendance dignitaries, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, members of the National Assembly, former governors of Benue, Enugu, and Abia states, traditional rulers, FCT officials, and residents who hailed the project as a long-awaited relief.
The newly commissioned road is expected to enhance socio-economic activities and improve the overall quality of life in the nation’s capital.
Tinubu Commissions New Arterial Road To Ease Traffic In Six Abuja Districts is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
