President says infrastructure projects will create jobs, empower local contractors and connect underserved communities
By Baron Eloagu / Abuja, Nigeria — July 3, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive infrastructure development, local content promotion and grassroots economic empowerment following the commissioning of the newly completed 16.4-kilometre Ushafa–War College–Army Checkpoint Road in the Bwari Area Council.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima during the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, the President described the project as part of a broader national strategy aimed at stimulating economic growth, improving connectivity and strengthening indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s construction sector.
The road project, executed by local construction company Abdul Val Nigeria Limited, is one of several infrastructure interventions currently being undertaken within satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory.
Tinubu: Infrastructure Must Translate Into Economic Empowerment
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Tinubu said infrastructure development must go beyond physical construction and serve as a catalyst for economic inclusion, employment generation and community ownership.
According to the President, the administration’s infrastructure agenda is deliberately structured to empower Nigerian contractors and reduce dependence on foreign firms for public projects.
“We are not just building roads; we are building capacity. We are creating jobs and fostering a sense of ownership and pride within our communities,” the President stated through the Vice President.
Tinubu noted that the decision to award the contract to an indigenous company reflected the government’s confidence in local expertise and its determination to deepen Nigerian participation in strategic sectors of the economy.
He stressed that strengthening local capacity remains critical to achieving sustainable development under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Road Project Expected to Boost Economic Activities in Bwari
The President described the newly completed dualised road as a transformative project that would significantly improve transportation, commerce and access to social services within Bwari and adjoining communities.
According to him, the project is expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve movement of goods and services, facilitate access to healthcare and education, and stimulate local economic activities.
Tinubu further emphasized that no part of the Federal Capital Territory would be neglected in the ongoing infrastructure expansion drive.
“No part of the FCT is going to be relegated. Development must be all-encompassing. Only then can we confidently say Abuja works—and indeed Abuja is working,” he declared.
Observers say the commissioning reflects the administration’s growing focus on satellite towns, many of which have historically suffered from poor road networks and inadequate infrastructure despite rapid population growth.
Wike Praises Tinubu’s Commitment to Satellite Town Development
Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, commended Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented attention to rural and satellite communities within the FCT.
Wike said the commissioning marked the first time a sitting President or Vice President visited an Area Council specifically to inaugurate a completed infrastructure project.
“This is the first time a sitting President or Vice President has visited an Area Council to commission a project. It demonstrates genuine concern and commitment to rural development,” Wike stated.
The FCT Minister praised Abdul Val Nigeria Limited for successfully delivering the project despite initial doubts expressed by some critics over the company’s capacity to handle a major road construction contract.
He disclosed that he personally conducted multiple inspection visits to the site, including weekends, to ensure quality delivery and strict adherence to project timelines.
Push for Local Content Dominates Commissioning Ceremony
Wike used the occasion to reinforce the administration’s local content policy, insisting that Nigerian firms are capable of executing world-class projects when given adequate support and supervision.
According to him, the success of the road project should encourage greater confidence in indigenous contractors across critical sectors.
The former Rivers State governor also took a swipe at political opponents of the administration, accusing some critics of ignoring visible infrastructural achievements across the country.
“Those who are politically expired and have moved across several political parties since 1999 should open their eyes and see what this administration is doing. Let them switch on their televisions—they will see Mr. President working,” he said.
His remarks drew applause from supporters and party loyalists present at the event.
Project Features Include Solar Streetlights, Drainage Systems
In her vote of thanks, the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, expressed appreciation to the President, the National Assembly and the FCT leadership for prioritizing rural infrastructure development.
She described the project as a major intervention that would improve living standards for residents in underserved communities.
Providing technical details, the Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department, Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said the project includes modern drainage infrastructure, box culverts, pedestrian walkways and solar-powered streetlights designed to improve safety and environmental sustainability.
He praised Wike’s supervisory approach and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to implementing projects aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Residents Expect Improved Connectivity and Security
Community leaders and residents who attended the commissioning expressed optimism that the project would ease transportation challenges and improve socio-economic activities in the area.
Many residents noted that poor road infrastructure had for years contributed to insecurity, restricted commercial activities and increased transportation costs within parts of Bwari Area Council.
They expressed hope that the new road network would attract investments, improve property values and encourage further government presence in satellite communities.
Renewed Focus on FCT Infrastructure Expansion
The commissioning comes amid ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to accelerate infrastructure delivery across the Federal Capital Territory.
Since assuming office, the administration has prioritized completion of abandoned projects, expansion of road networks and rehabilitation of critical public infrastructure within Abuja and surrounding satellite towns.
Analysts say the renewed attention to Area Councils may also carry political significance as the administration seeks to strengthen public confidence ahead of future electoral cycles.
The commissioning of the 16.4-kilometre Ushafa–War College–Army Checkpoint Road represents more than a routine infrastructure project; it signals a broader policy direction centered on inclusive development, local economic empowerment and grassroots integration into the national development agenda.
As the Federal Government intensifies infrastructure investments across the country, expectations remain high that such projects will translate into measurable improvements in living conditions, employment opportunities and economic productivity for ordinary Nigerians.
For residents of Bwari and surrounding communities, the newly commissioned road stands as both a symbol of federal presence and a test of whether infrastructure promises can ultimately deliver long-term socio-economic transformation.
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