FCT Southern Parkway Service Lanes Will Ease Gridlock – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the construction of the two-service carriageways on the Southern Parkway will reduce traffic congestion, improve connectivity and accelerate development across Abuja’s southern districts.

The President, represented by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, gave the assurance yesterday during the flag-off of the project in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

He described the initiative as a key component of his administration’s infrastructure renewal drive under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu said the Southern Parkway remains a strategic corridor in the Abuja Master Plan, linking several districts along the southern axis of the capital city.

He explained that the corridor, which stretches from the Inner Southern Expressway in Phase One to Phase Four, was designed to improve traffic flow and strengthen inter-district connectivity across the FCT.

According to him, the completion of the main carriageway, now named the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, was only part of the original plan, stressing that the service lanes are essential to fully unlock the corridor’s benefits.

“These service carriageways are critical to easing access and improving mobility. Residents of Durumi, Gudu, Gaduwa and nearby mass housing estates currently experience heavy traffic daily.

“Once completed, these lanes will reduce travel time, lower transport costs and improve productivity. That is the dividend of democracy Nigerians can see and feel,” he said.

The president added that the project forms part of a wider infrastructure transformation ongoing across the FCT, citing works such as the Arterial Road N20 (Professor Wole Soyinka Way), the N16 interchange linking Jahi and Gwarimpa, and road developments in Kuje, Gwagwalada and Mabushi.

He commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as strong leadership and commitment to project delivery, saying the minister had demonstrated exceptional drive in reviving and completing critical infrastructure.

He also praised the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and the entire FCT Administration for ensuring quality supervision of ongoing projects.

Addressing affected communities, Tinubu urged residents to cooperate with construction teams despite temporary inconveniences such as traffic diversions and delays.

He also charged the contractor, CGC Nigeria Limited, to prioritize both speed and quality, while engaging and empowering local youths through employment and skills development.

Earlier in his remarks, the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, dismissed concerns that political activities ahead of elections would slow down infrastructure delivery, insisting that project execution would continue without interruption.

He said the administration remained fully committed to implementing the President’s directive to transform the capital city through sustained development projects.

Wike expressed optimism that Abuja’s landscape would be significantly reshaped before the end of Tinubu’s first term, noting that ongoing projects would redefine the city’s infrastructure profile.

He also disclosed that he had engaged CGC Nigeria Limited on delivery timelines and received assurances of round-the-clock work, provided government meets its funding obligations.

The minister further insisted that the project be completed ahead of the 2027 election period.

Wike warned against illegal construction and land encroachment along the project corridor, directing relevant agencies to remove unauthorised structures and protect the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan.

He reiterated that government would not tolerate forged documents or illegal developments on public land.

In his technical briefing, the acting executive secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, said the project, awarded in May 2026, has already seen contractor mobilization to site.

He explained that the scope includes about three kilometres of dual service lanes, two river bridges, drainage systems, culverts, and street lighting infrastructure.

According to him, the Southern Parkway serves as a major spine of the Southern Development Corridor, designed to improve connectivity from the Central Area to Phase Four districts.

He added that once completed, the project will ease congestion on key routes such as Shehu Yar’Adua Way, Oladipo Diya Way, and adjoining roads serving Durumi, Gudu, Gaduwa and Duboyi.

The acting head of Service of the FCT Administration, Mrs Nancy Sabanti Nathan, in her vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the President for approving the project and commended all stakeholders for their support.

She said the initiative would significantly improve transportation efficiency, reduce congestion and stimulate economic activities across the affected districts, while urging the contractor to maintain high standards and adhere strictly to timelines.