Tungan Madaki Residents Hail Road Project, Say It Ends Decades Of Isolation, Economic Hardship

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ABUJA – Residents of Tungan Madaki and adjoining communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have lauded the completion of a seven-kilometre access road linking the area to Airport Road (Bill Clinton Drive), describing the project as a transformative intervention that has restored access to markets, schools and economic opportunities.

The road, inaugurated on Thursday as part of projects executed under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, is expected to improve mobility for residents of at least nine communities and strengthen rural connectivity within the territory.

Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration, the District Head of Tungan Madaki, Malam Muhammad Haruna, said the project marked a historic turning point for a community that had endured decades of neglect, poor infrastructure and limited access to essential services.

According to him, the completion of the road has effectively ended years of isolation that hindered farming activities, disrupted education and constrained economic growth.

“We are happy that this narrative has completely changed. The completion of this critical road, linking Bill Clinton Drive directly to the heart of our community, has brought widespread relief and celebration among our people,” Haruna said.

He commended President Tinubu and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, for extending governance and infrastructure development to rural communities that had long remained on the margins of development efforts.

Haruna noted that before the intervention, the community’s agrarian economy suffered significantly due to poor road conditions and the absence of a functional bridge, making movement difficult, particularly during the rainy season.

“Our farmers struggled to transport produce from their farms to markets. We have suffered for decades. Today, we are joyful because our story has changed,” he said.

The traditional ruler explained that the improved road network would reduce transportation costs, facilitate easier movement of agricultural produce and minimise post-harvest losses, thereby enhancing farmers’ incomes and overall livelihoods.

Beyond its economic benefits, he said the project would also address longstanding educational challenges faced by residents.

According to him, Tungan Madaki hosts a major secondary school serving several neighbouring communities, but access to the institution was often disrupted during the rainy season due to a collapsed bridge and impassable terrain.

“The completion of this road project has permanently restored safe and daily access to the school, eliminating seasonal disruptions and reducing the risk of students dropping out because of hazardous infrastructure,” he added.

While expressing gratitude for the intervention, Haruna appealed to the FCT Administration to complement the project with additional social infrastructure, particularly potable water.

He stressed that access to clean drinking water remains a major challenge for residents and urged the government to address the gap to improve public health outcomes.

The district head also called for measures to protect farmlands from encroachment, noting that agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for the community.

“Farming is our only means of feeding our families, educating our children and meeting basic needs. Protecting our farmlands is essential if we are to fully benefit from the dividends of democracy,” he said.

Earlier, Wike had explained that the road project was conceived in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding infrastructure and connecting underserved rural communities across the FCT.

The minister disclosed that the project includes a four-span bridge and would serve nine communities before terminating at the Zuba Road corridor, opening up new opportunities for commerce, education and social development in the area.