By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has approved the immediate construction of the Zaudna-Kaba-Kagini Road following appeals by residents of the affected communities for government intervention.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the decision on Thursday during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Old Keffi Road, after residents displayed banners drawing attention to the poor condition of the road and calling for urgent intervention.
The minister subsequently directed the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, to instruct Lubrik Construction Company Limited to immediately mobilise to the site.
The announcement came as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commissioned the rehabilitated 15-kilometre Old Keffi Road linking Kado Village, Life Camp and Dei-Dei Junction by the Outer Northern Expressway, ONEX, one of the projects executed by the FCTA to mark the third anniversary of the administration.
Explaining the decision, Wike said he had noticed the same group of residents carrying banners about the condition of the road during an earlier project flag-off, adding that the administration was committed to responding to genuine infrastructure needs.
“The other day, while we went to flag off one of the roads, I saw some people carrying a banner showing how bad their road is. Today again, they have come here with that banner.
“You know, everybody has his own strategy of making sure that the attention is given. Mr. President has said once he is aware of your problems, particularly as it leads to roads where there will be connectivity, where you will go back and go to your farms and produce whatever you have, I have told the Executive Secretary FCDA, I have told him to tell Lubrik Construction Company to immediately move to this area and do the road for you.”
The minister recalled that shortly after assuming office, residents of the area had requested the construction of the Saburi Road, which was awarded and completed in 2024. Following its completion, he said traders and residents along the Old Keffi Road corridor continued to press for the rehabilitation of the route because of its importance to commuters and businesses.
According to Wike, traders also reminded him of the project during the Area Council election campaign and urged him to convey their message to President Tinubu.
“They told me this, ‘Yes, we are aware that you have awarded this road, but please, tell Mr. President, if he can complete this road for us, Mr. President should go home and sleep with his two eyes closed.’
“Today, the 2nd of July, we are here to commission this road, not less than 16 kilometres. We are very happy that all the promises Mr. President made to the people around this area have been fulfilled.”
He described the latest approval as another demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to extending development to communities that have long lacked critical infrastructure.
In his address, President Tinubu said the completion of the Old Keffi Road reinforced his administration’s resolve to end the era of abandoned projects in the nation’s capital.
The President who was represented by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said, “When we assumed office under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we told Nigerians the era of abandoned projects in Abuja was over. Some doubted. Today, doubt has no ground to stand on. From Saburi 1 and 2, to this corridor, and to many others we started unveiling last month to mark the third anniversary of this administration, the pattern is clear: we identify the pain, we fund the solution, and we deliver.”
Tinubu assured that the road would improve mobility, reduce travel time and transport costs, and boost economic activities by linking Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Idu, Karmo and Dei-Dei to the Outer Northern Expressway. He also said the integrated streetlights installed under the Light Up Abuja initiative would improve security and support commercial activities after dark.
The President further stressed that his administration would continue to reward competence in project delivery, saying, “Under this government, we do not reward patronage. We reward competence. If you deliver, you get more work. If you fail, you are out. Lubrik has delivered again.”
He also commended Wike for accelerating infrastructure development across the FCT, saying the minister had “turned the FCT into a site of visible results” by extending projects beyond the city centre to districts and area councils.
