President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a reflection of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He assured Nigerians that similar infrastructure development would be replicated across cities, satellite towns and rural communities nationwide.
Tinubu made the declaration when he commissioned Collector Road C01 and a bridge linking the Body of Benchers, Nile University and Baze University in Abuja’s Institution and Research District, describing the project as another fulfilled promise of his administration.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said the completion of the road demonstrated his government’s resolve to translate campaign promises into tangible projects that improve the lives of Nigerians.
“When we came into office, we made a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people. We promised not to allow governance to become a series of abandoned dreams and half-hearted efforts. We promised Renewed Hope.
“And today, as we stand on this newly constructed Collector Road C01, complete with its bridge, we are not just looking at the physical road; we are looking at a promise kept,” Tinubu said.
He disclosed that the extension of the corridor towards Ring Road III (RR III) and other parts of Abuja had already been flagged off, noting that it would connect the Institution and Research District to the capital city’s wider road network.
According to him, the expanded road network will ease traffic congestion, shorten travel time and strengthen links between educational institutions, residential communities and commercial centres.
“One road becomes a system. That is how connectivity scales,” he said.
Tinubu observed that although the Institution and Research District was conceived under the Abuja Master Plan as the nation’s intellectual hub, years of inadequate infrastructure had limited access to major institutions such as the Body of Benchers, Nile University and Baze University.
Recalling appeals by the Body of Benchers during last year’s Nigerian Law School Call to Bar ceremony over traffic congestion and poor access roads, the President said his administration responded immediately.
“When the Body of Benchers cried out to us during the Nigeria Law School Call to Bar ceremony last year for relief from traffic gridlock and lack of access, we listened.
“I told my Minister, the ‘Mr. Project’ of our time, Nyesom Wike, ‘We cannot have the legal luminaries of our nation navigating potholes to train our future advocates. We cannot have students arriving late to lectures because of a lack of a simple bridge.’
“We did not just talk about it. We approved it under emergency procurement. And today, just months later, here we are,” he said.
The President noted that the project had restored easy movement, enhanced safety and created a more conducive environment for teaching, learning and professional development.
He added that the construction created hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for young Nigerians, stressing that infrastructure remains the backbone of economic growth.
“Infrastructure is the greatest enabler of economic prosperity. When you build roads, you open up districts. When you open up districts, you invite investment. And when investment comes, Nigeria grows,” he stated.
