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President Bola Tinubu has said that the ongoing construction of road infrastructure across satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was to inject life into the local economy.

Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima made the remarks in Abuja on Monday, while inaugurating the newly rehabilitated and expanded Karu township roads.

The president said that the Karu township roads stand as a clear testament of his administration’s promise to resolve urban congestion and uplift the living standards of FCT residents.

He described the development as a direct product of his Renewed Hope Agenda in action to modernise the infrastructure of our nation’s capital.

“When we took office three years ago, we recognised that true development must reach where the people actually live, work and commute.

“For years, the Karu corridor, serving as a critical gateway between the FCT and neighboring states, suffered from severe traffic congestion that drained the productivity and energy of residents.

“By expanding and rehabilitating these roads, we are not just laying asphalt; we are injecting life back into the local economy.

Tinubu said that the completed road project had dramatically cut down daily travel times, eliminated frustrating gridlocks, and ensured that businesses in this densely populated area could thrive under the right conditions.

He commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike saying, “the rapid physical transformation across Abuja could not have happened without the dogged, relentless and focused supervision of Wike.

“His aggressive implementation of our urban renewal master plan is visible for everyone to see. I sincerely commend the minister and his team.

“By prioritising high-density, strategic satellite roads like Karu alongside the city center, the FCT Administration is validating our governance philosophy: that the wealth of this territory must yield practical everyday comfort for all socio-economic classes”.

The president also commended the contractor, Abdul-Val Constructions Limited, a local contractor for the quality work and timely delivery, adding that it has demonstrated that Nigerian firms could match international benchmarks for quality, structural integrity, and project management.

In his remarks, Wike noted that the entire landscape in Karu has changed and urged residents to appreciate government efforts to make their lives better.

“It doesn’t matter the political party you belong to. It doesn’t matter the association you belong to, when you see a good thing say, ‘this is a good thing’.

“Whether anybody hates you (Tinubu) or not, he cannot hate this road. Opposition people use this road; those in government use this road; and those who say they are not politicians also use this road,” he said.

He assured every community and every district in the FCT of steady development and dividends of democracy under the Tinubu administration.

Commending the local contractor, Abdul-Val Constructions Limited, the Minister said the company has demonstrated that local contractors have come of age and they could do what other foreign companies could do.

“For this local contractor, I have seen that whether the money is there to pay him or not, he will never abandon the site.

“He will continue to work and say, ‘Mr minister, I believe in this government of Bola Tinubu. I will do everything, and I know at the end of the day, I will be paid.’

“Mr president, it is rare these days to find people who will commit their money and carry out this kind of assignment,” Wike said.

Earlier, Mr Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department, said that the road, which was awarded in August 2025, connects Karu Interchange along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, to Customs Clinic Junction.

Zulkiflu identified the other roads as the DSS Road, NIA Road, EFCC Road, Hospital Road and Old CBN Quarters Road, all within Karu town.

According to him, the successful completion of the project will significantly improve accessibility, ensure a smooth flow of traffic, an effective drainage system, and enhance the security of lives and properties within the area.

“Karu is one of the highly populated satellite towns of the FCT, and its proximity to the city center has made it a preferred abode for so many prominent Nigerians.

“With this road, in less than a 10-minute drive, you are already in the city center.”