Tinubu Inaugurates Carriageways, Vows End To Abandoned Projects In FCT

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the newly completed two main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), stretching from Ring Road I Junction (Gudu Cemetery) to Ring Road II Junction (Kabusha Junction).

He said that his administration remains committed to delivering critical infrastructure projects and ending the era of abandoned government projects.

Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the president said the road project symbolised the practical implementation of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians through infrastructure development.

“We did not promise shortcuts. We promised hard work. We pledged a Renewed Hope that is tangible and visible, hope that people can feel and drive on,” Tinubu said.

According to him, infrastructure development remains central to economic growth, job creation, and improving the quality of life for citizens.

“If infrastructure is the building block of economic growth, then building good roads is the surest way to unlock a city’s potential, create jobs, ease movement for traders, workers and industrialists, and stimulate economic activities,” he stated.

The president recalled that the OSEX project has been implemented in phases since June 2024, when the first section from Villa Roundabout to Ring Road I Junction was inaugurated.

He noted that the 15-kilometre left-hand service carriageway was commissioned in 2025, while the latest phase marks another significant milestone in the completion of the strategic corridor.

“I have said before that we do not start projects only to abandon them. Not under this administration. The era of uncompleted projects in the FCT and Nigeria is gone. We shall complete what we started and even finish projects we inherited,” he said.

Tinubu praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for what he described as visionary and dynamic leadership that has transformed the nation’s capital.

“The transformation we are witnessing in the FCT today is the product of purposeful leadership, vision and determination. I commend the Honourable Minister and his team for their commitment to reshaping Abuja for long-term prosperity,” he said.

He added that the newly commissioned road would significantly ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity across the capital city and open up new areas for residential, commercial and industrial development.

“Think about the thousands of commuters who will no longer be trapped in traffic gridlock, the man-hours that will be saved and the seamless connectivity that this project will provide.

“By linking major districts and expanding access to new development areas, we are growing Abuja’s economic footprint and reducing the cost of doing business,” he said.

The president also commended engineers, contractors, labourers and communities affected by the construction work for their patience and sacrifices throughout the project period.

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development nationwide, Tinubu said government would continue to build, reform and invest in projects that improve the future of Nigerians.

Earlier, FCT Minister, Wike described the commissioning as the beginning of a month-long programme of project inaugurations marking the President’s third anniversary in office.

Welcoming the Senate President and other dignitaries, Wike recalled that Tinubu had commissioned the first phase of the OSEX corridor last year and expressed satisfaction that the latest section had been delivered within the agreed timeline.

According to him, the project was awarded to the contractor, China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC), in late 2024, and despite initial concerns about the ambitious completion deadline, the company fulfilled its promise.

“When the project was awarded, I sat down with the contractors and asked them a simple question: Can you deliver this project before the President’s third anniversary? They assured me they could. I visited this site not less than ten times to monitor progress, and indeed they kept their promise,” Wike said.

He stressed that the successful completion of the project demonstrates that effective leadership, commitment and partnership between government and contractors can deliver remarkable results.

“Nothing is impossible when people are determined and committed to achieving results. When government fulfils its obligations and contractors are properly supported, projects can be completed on schedule,” he added.

The minister also highlighted the administration’s commitment to completing inherited projects, describing continuity in governance as a hallmark of responsible leadership.

“One of the qualities of good leadership is the ability to continue projects initiated by previous administrations. Government is a continuum. We cannot abandon projects simply because they were started by others.

“Many of the projects being commissioned today were inherited, and we are proud to complete them for the benefit of residents,” he said.

Wike further disclosed that the administration had fulfilled its promise to relocate mechanics operating along the Apo corridor to a newly developed site with the necessary infrastructure, thereby helping to decongest the area and improve urban planning.

He dismissed claims that nothing was happening in the country, pointing to numerous road projects completed across the FCT, including major roads in satellite towns and rural communities.

“Anybody who says nothing is happening in Abuja cannot be serious. The projects are visible. Roads are being constructed not only in the city centre but also in satellite towns and underserved communities,” he said.

In her remarks, the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, described the commissioning of the OSEX carriageways as another landmark achievement under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

She expressed appreciation to the President for his commitment to infrastructure development and said the project represented a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory.

Mahmoud noted that the administration’s investments in roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure were opening new pathways to economic prosperity, social integration and national development.

She also commended Wike for his leadership and dedication to delivering world-class infrastructure projects that are reshaping Abuja and improving residents’ quality of life.

According to her, the OSEX project is a strategic investment that will enhance connectivity, stimulate economic activities, ease transportation challenges and support the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s capital city.

The newly commissioned carriageways form a major component of Abuja’s transportation network and are expected to improve traffic flow between key districts while opening up new areas for development across the Federal Capital Territory.