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Kuje-Gwagwalada Road Was a Death Trap for Decades, Tinubu Declares as He Commissions Phase I Dual Carriageway (Photos)

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By Ojomah Austin.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, said the newly completed Phase I of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Dual Carriageway has brought an end to decades of hardship, insecurity and economic losses suffered by residents and commuters along the corridor.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning of the 7-kilometre dual carriageway in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Tinubu described the road as a critical economic and security infrastructure that would transform the lives of residents in Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and adjoining communities.

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“For decades, this road was a death trap. Traders from Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and beyond lost time, goods and sometimes lives while plying this road. Criminals thrived in the darkness. Students wasted hours in traffic. Farmers could not get their produce to market on time.

“But that story ends today,” the President said.

Tinubu noted that the road, equipped with solar-powered streetlights, pedestrian walkways and modern drainage facilities, represents more than physical infrastructure.

“This 7-kilometre dual carriageway with solar-powered streetlights, pedestrian walkways and proper drainage is more than a road. It is security. It is commerce. It is dignity.

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“It is the economic corridor linking Abuja to three area councils and an opening and exit route to Southern Nigeria. With the construction of this road, we have unlocked the agricultural potential of this area, opened new residential layouts and made it safer for mothers, students and workers to move at any hour,” he stated.

The President said the project was a practical demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to extending development beyond Abuja city centre to satellite communities.

“My people of Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and all the area councils and satellite towns, hear me clearly: this government sees you. You are not forgotten.

“For too long, Abuja’s development stopped at the city centre. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every area council matters. Every community counts. We will keep bringing roads, water, schools and hospitals to you,” he said.

Tinubu also urged residents to safeguard public infrastructure and support government efforts through civic responsibility.

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“Do not build on the median. Do not vandalise the solar lights. Pay your taxes and ground rents. When government works and citizens cooperate, development moves faster,” he added.

The President commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for expanding development to underserved communities across the territory.

“I gave you an instruction when I appointed you: make Abuja work for all Nigerians, not just for those in Maitama and Asokoro.

“You have taken Renewed Hope to the grassroots. From judicial quarters in Katampe to roads in Kuje and Gwagwalada, you are proving that development must not be selective. You heard the cries of satellite communities and responded. That is leadership. Well done, Honourable Minister,” Tinubu said.

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Earlier, FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, said the road project was a direct response to demands made by residents, traditional rulers and stakeholders during consultations held across the six area councils shortly after the administration assumed office in 2023.

According to him, insecurity and poor road infrastructure featured prominently among the concerns raised by residents of Kuje.

Wike recalled that the administration revived the abandoned Airport Road-Kuje road project before approving the Kuje-Gwagwalada road after personally inspecting its deplorable condition.

“So, one day, while returning from Kwali after inspecting projects, I said let us pass through the road the traditional ruler had been talking about.

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“As we travelled, it took us almost two hours. I asked where we were heading to and they said Kuje. I said, ‘Are we in America?’ This is within the FCT and it took us almost two hours. The road was terrible. In fact, saying it was bad is an understatement; there was practically no road,” he said.

The minister explained that the Federal Executive Council approved the project in early 2025 and that it was awarded to Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited.

He expressed satisfaction that the first phase had been completed within schedule and disclosed that the contractor had assured the administration that the second phase would be delivered by December 2026.

“What this means is that the people of Gwagwalada and Kuje can now interact more easily, businesses can thrive and farmers can move their produce to markets without stress. That is governance. That is bringing hope to the people,” Wike said.

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Also speaking, Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a visible demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda and a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to improving lives through strategic infrastructure investments.

She commended Wike for what she described as his exceptional leadership and determination in delivering critical infrastructure across the FCT.

Earlier, Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said the project was awarded on February 28, 2025, and consists of a 7-kilometre dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction, a three-span bridge, drainage systems and solar-powered streetlights.

He added that the project would improve access to farming communities, facilitate movement of agricultural produce, reduce travel time and stimulate economic growth in Kuje, Gwagwalada and neighbouring communities.

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Zulkiflu disclosed that the second phase of the project, covering the remaining six kilometres of dual carriageway, is expected to be completed by December 2026, completing the full upgrade of the Kuje-Gwagwalada road corridor.

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BREAKING: PFIPC scam: Police nab Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi

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The controversial Director-General of the alleged invincible Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been nabbed.

According to TVC, his arrest came moments after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest.

Adeyemi was billed to take his plea on an eight-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, relating to forgery, fraud, and impersonation.

Although the matter was listed as No. 12 on the court’s cause list, the defendant failed to appear for his arraignment, even though a lawyer, Mr. Genesis Francis, announced his appearance on his behalf.

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Details shortly….

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Tinubu Commissions Bwari Water Project, Pledges Clean Water for All FCT Satellite Towns(Photos)

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday, commissioned the Bwari Township Water Supply Network Project, declaring that his administration will extend potable water to all satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda to decentralise development and improve living conditions in underserved communities.

Represented by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the commissioning ceremony in Bwari, the President described access to clean water as a fundamental right and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that infrastructure development reaches every part of the nation’s capital.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not a slogan. It is a contract. It is a deliberate, calculated, and unyielding commitment to governance that works for the people,” Tinubu said.

He noted that previous administrations had concentrated development in Abuja’s city centre while satellite communities remained neglected, insisting that his government had resolved to change the narrative.

“For too long, the narrative of Abuja has been a tale of two cities a glittering centre surrounded by underserved communities. We said no. That era is gone. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and development must be decentralised,” he stated.

Tinubu said the newly completed 198-kilometre water pipeline network, constructed by China Geo-engineering Construction (CGC) Limited, would provide potable water to Bwari, Ushafa and surrounding communities by linking them directly to the Lower Usuma Dam treated water source.

He recalled that after reviewing the proposal submitted by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, he immediately approved the project to address years of dependence on untreated boreholes and streams.

“I gave him a direct order: ‘Go out there, mobilise the best, and fix it.’ Today, we are commissioning this massive, state-of-the-art 198-kilometre water pipeline network,” the President said.

According to him, the project will improve public health by reducing waterborne diseases, eliminate the costly reliance on private boreholes and create new economic opportunities.

Tinubu disclosed that more than 1,600 direct and indirect jobs were created during the execution of the project.

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He assured residents that the water expansion programme would continue across the FCT.

“Last year, it was the Lower Usuma Dam Phase II rehabilitation; last month, it was the Karu water network; today it is Bwari. Before our tenure is through, this water revolution will fully cover Kuje, Kwali, Gwagwalada and Abaji,” he pledged.

The President commended the FCT Minister for accelerating infrastructure delivery across the territory, describing him as “Mr. Project.”

“From boosting the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue to executing 31 landmark projects simultaneously across the territory from roads to housing and now water you have proven to be a reliable champion of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Tinubu said.

He urged residents of Bwari to protect the facility from vandalism, stressing that it was built with public funds for the benefit of the people.

Earlier, FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike said the project fulfilled President Tinubu’s directive that modern water infrastructure should be extended beyond Abuja’s city centre to satellite towns.

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According to him, the Bwari project is the third major water intervention completed under the current administration after the rehabilitation of the Abuja city water system and the recently commissioned Karu satellite town water project.

“Since Mr. President came into office in 2023, he has provided water for the city centre, water for Karu and neighbouring communities, and today, water for Bwari. Let people know that we are not concentrating only on roads; we are making sure other sectors are also being touched,” Wike said.

The minister disclosed that the administration had now officially commissioned 50 major projects since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 and announced plans to inaugurate another 10 projects before the commencement of election campaigns next year.

He attributed the pace of development in the FCT to the President’s unwavering support.

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“You can be a minister, but without the support of the President, it is difficult to perform. Mr. President has given the FCT all the support required to change the narrative, and we will not disappoint him,” Wike added.

In her vote of thanks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the Bwari Water Supply Network as another milestone in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She said the project would improve access to safe drinking water, enhance public health and restore confidence in government while reaffirming the administration’s commitment to expanding people-centred infrastructure across the FCT.

Also speaking, Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, said the project, originally scheduled for completion in December, had been substantially completed ahead of schedule.

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He noted that, beyond providing potable water to Bwari and neighbouring communities, the project generated significant employment opportunities during construction and would improve the health and well-being of residents through reliable access to safe drinking water.

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Final evacuation flight with 315 Nigerians from South Africa to arrive tomorrow

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315 Nigerian South African returnees are expected to arrive in the country on Wednesday, 15th July 2026, in a final evacuation move by the Federal Government.

This was revealed in a statement signed on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

The flight to be operated by AirPeace will depart South Africa at 1.30 AM with an estimated time of arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, set at 6.30 AM.

The government had earlier conducted four evacuation flights, bringing home hundreds of Nigerians following the recent xenophobic attacks and security concerns in parts of South Africa.

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The Federal Government’s evacuation consists of Nigerians who indicated interest in returning home as a result of the attacks.

The previous batch brought in a total of 40 returnees.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians wherever they may be and expressed appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the evacuation exercise.

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