President Tinubu Commissions 15km A2 to Pai Access Road in Kwaki Area Council

By Toffa Momoh, Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the newly constructed 15-kilometer access road connecting the Abuja/Lokoja Expressway (A2) to the Pai community in Kwali Area Council, reiterating the commitment of his administration to open up rural areas for even development.

In his address during the commissioning ceremony, the President hailed the project as a significant step towards unlocking the potential of rural areas and improving the lives of residents.

He emphasized the strategic importance of the road to the Pai community, stating, “Looking at what we saw on our way here, we saw opportunity, prosperity for establishment of ranches and reasons to uplift the life of our rural people to realize their full potential”.

He said, “On my way here, I observed the needs for our great farmers and livestock owners to establish the opportunity for grazing and do what is necessary for our people. We will help you. We will work with you. We will convert what used to be a liability and a source of conflict to a means of prosperity”, he assured the community.

“This project is one of the many we are delivering across the country, and we will not stop. We will continue until every Nigerian can feel the touch of meaningful governance”, President Tinubu affirmed.

President Tinubu further commended the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for addressing the needs of the people, affectionately calling the Minister, Mr. Project.

Earlier in his remarks, FCT Minister, Barrister Wike, recounted his appeal to the President to visit a rural road, highlighting the visible joy of the local residents as sign of improved connection between the rural people and the government at the centre. “This also tells us that your emphasis is not just to improve the infrastructure in the city but also to improve lives and other infrastructure in the satellite town”, Barrister Wike noted.

Providing a comprehensive overview of the FCT’s infrastructure strides under the current administration, Barrister Wike revealed that since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, the administration has completed and is constructing over 150 kilometers of roads across satellite towns and Area Councils, aside from investments in security and the education sector.

He detailed the history of the A2 to Pai road, explaining how its construction became crucial for accessing the ongoing 15km Pai to Gomani road project, which is expected to be completed before December. He also announced plans to extend this network with another 13km road from Gomani to Yangoji, bringing the total length in that area to approximately 45 kilometers.

Barrister Wike proudly listed six emergency roads, approved in the 2023 supplementary budget which have been completed and commissioned, spanning all six Area Councils, including the 9km Paikon Kore/Ibwa Road in Gwagwalada, 5km Gaba/Tokulo road with two-span river bridge in Bwari Area Council and 5km asphalt carriageway from Garage Junction to LEA Secretariat in Kuje Area Council.

Others, according to the Minister, are the 11km Yangoji/Sukuku/Ebbo road in Kwali Area Council, 5km access road from Saburi I and II communities in AMAC and the newly commissioned 15km A2 to Pai road.

Barrister Wike also announced upcoming commissioning events for 2025, including the 10km Aguma Palace/New Market Road in Gwagwalada, the reconstructed 18km Nyanya/Karshi dual carriageway, the 7.4km Old Ushafa – Lower Usuma Dam Road, and the dualisation of the 16.4km Ushafa/War College/Army Checkpoint Road.

He stressed that these road projects are not merely about connectivity but also about enhancing security and unlocking agricultural potential. He reiterated the government’s readiness to compensate communities and provide farmland to genuine farmers to boost food security and expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the unwavering support that has enabled these achievements.

Delivering the vote of thanks, Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his steadfast support for national development and his focus on local communities. She also lauded Barr. Wike’s visionary leadership in fostering development and connectivity within the FCT.

Also speaking, the Coordinator, Satellite Town Development Department, Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, while providing an overview of the A2 to Pai project, said it was awarded in November 2024 to Messrs. Zeberced Construction Ltd, noting its swift completion. He highlighted that the road, equipped with modern engineering services including streetlights, has already stimulated business activities and enhanced the flow of goods and services.

In his goodwill message, the Sarkin Pai, HRH, Alhaji Sani Abubakar, thanked President Tinubu for his leadership and Barrister Nyesom Wike for transforming the lives of rural dwellers through impactful projects, attributing the large turnout for the commissioning ceremony to widespread happiness.

Managing Director, Zeberced Construction Ltd, the project contractor, Mr. Adil Aiden Kurt, shared that the A2 to Pai road was their first project in Nigeria and was completed in record time, showcasing their capacity. He proudly described himself as a Nigerian citizen, stating, “Whatever we are getting, we are putting back into the country and adding value”