President Tinubu Commissions 15km Karu Road Network, Solar Streetlights

By Toffa Momoh | Abuja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, formally commissioned the newly rehabilitated and expanded Karu road network, covering the stretch from Karu Interchange to Customs Clinic Junction and other adjoining routes within Karu, Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President described the 15-kilometre project, complete with solar-powered street lighting, as a landmark delivery under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to modernize the FCT and bring tangible infrastructure to satellite towns.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, President Tinubu said the intervention directly addresses years of debilitating traffic congestion along the Karu corridor, a major gateway linking the FCT with Nasarawa State and other neighboring areas.

“For years, the Karu corridor 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,” the President declared.

He explained that the upgrade will “dramatically cut down daily travel times, eliminate frustrating gridlocks, and ensure that businesses in this densely populated area can thrive under the right conditions.”

The President tied the road delivery to last week’s commissioning of potable water supply in Karu and surrounding communities. He said the back-to-back projects were proof of government’s commitment to easing urban congestion and improving living standards in high-density districts.

To safeguard commuters and residents, the administration installed modern solar-powered streetlights along the entire 15km network.

“These streetlights are illuminating dark stretches, drastically reducing nighttime crime, and improving visibility for motorists,” Tinubu stated. “Safety is not an afterthought. It is built into the design.”

The President commended the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, for driving the pace of infrastructure rollout across the Territory.

“The rapid physical transformation across Abuja could not have happened without the dogged, relentless and focused supervision of the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike. His aggressive implementation of our urban renewal master plan is visible for everyone to see,” Tinubu said.

He added that prioritizing satellite towns like Karu alongside the city center reflects the administration’s governance philosophy: “that the wealth of this territory must yield practical, everyday comfort for all socio-economic classes.”

President Tinubu also lauded the contractor, Abdul-Val Nigeria Limited, for delivering quality work on schedule. “This project shows that Nigerian firms can match international benchmarks for quality, structural integrity, and project management,” he noted.

He urged the Karu community to protect the asset: “Take ownership of this infrastructure. Shun vandalism and avoid indiscriminate roadside dumping that clogs drainage. These roads must serve you for generations.”

Earlier, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike thanked President Tinubu for consistent support and for personally commissioning projects in the area, including the satellite water scheme one week prior.

“All road projects requested by Karu residents have been fully delivered. The local landscape has been completely transformed,” Wike said.

In a direct appeal to residents, he urged them to assess development on merit, not party lines:
“It doesn’t matter the political party or association you belong to; when you see a good thing, you should say it is a good thing. Mr. President, whether anybody hates you or not, they cannot hate this road. The opposition uses this road. This is what development is supposed to be.”

Wike also praised Abdul-Val Nigeria Limited and its Managing Director, Otunba Abdullahi Suleiman Bello, for staying on site despite payment delays and completing the difficult project ahead of the administration’s third-year anniversary.

Delivering the project overview, Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department, Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said the contract was awarded to Messrs Abdul-Val Nigeria Limited on August 22, 2025, and completed in nine months.

Scope of work included: site clearance and earthworks; construction and rehabilitation of about 15km of roads; trapezoidal concrete-lined drainage systems; pipes and box culverts of various sizes; pedestrian walkways; and full solar-powered street lighting installation.

Otunba Abdullahi Suleiman Bello thanked the FCT Minister and Minister of State for entrusting an indigenous firm with the Renewed Hope Agenda project. He assured that engineering standards were strictly followed to ensure durability, and thanked Karu residents for their patience during construction.

Delivering the vote of thanks, FCTA Head of Service, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, appreciated President Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructural renewal, the National Assembly for legislative support, and Minister Wike “for bringing Renewed Hope directly to the doorsteps of FCT residents.”