President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the rehabilitated 15-kilometre Old Keffi Road linking Kado Village, Life Camp and Dei-Dei Junction by the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), declaring that his administration has ended the era of abandoned projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The President, who was represented by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the completion of the strategic road project demonstrated the federal government’s commitment to delivering tangible infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Describing the road as more than a carriageway, Tinubu said the project restored dignity to daily movement while boosting commerce, security and economic activities across several communities.
“It gives me great honour today to open a road that restores dignity to daily movement. The fully rehabilitated 15-kilometre Old Keffi Road, from Kado Village through Life Camp to Dei-Dei Junction by the Outer Northern Expressway, is now open for use.
“This is not a promise on paper. It is asphalt you can drive on, lights you can trust after dark, and drainages that serve both homes and markets,” he said.
Tinubu recalled that upon assuming office, his administration assured Nigerians that abandoned projects in Abuja would become a thing of the past.
“When we assumed office under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we told Nigerians the era of abandoned projects in Abuja was over. Some doubted. Today, doubt has no ground to stand on.
“From Saburi 1 and 2, to this corridor, and to many others we started unveiling last month to mark the third anniversary of this administration, the pattern is clear: we identify the pain, we fund the solution, and we deliver,” he said.
The President explained that the road project was initiated after the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike reported the deplorable state of the corridor following the commissioning of roads in Saburi.
According to him, the Federal Executive Council approved the rehabilitation, while the contract was awarded to Lubrik Construction Company Limited based on its previous performance.
“Under this government, we do not reward patronage. We reward competence. If you deliver, you get more work. If you fail, you are out. Lubrik has delivered again,” he said.
Tinubu reserved special commendation for Wike, praising his leadership and commitment to infrastructure delivery across the nation’s capital.
“Minister, you have turned the FCT into a site of visible results. You inspect, you decide, you follow through. You have matched development in the city centre with development in the districts and area councils so that no community is left behind.
“’Mr. Projects’ is not a slogan. It is the record of roads opened, lights installed and deadlines met. I trust you. I rely on you. Abuja is better because you are at the wheel,” he said.
He also commended the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, and the entire FCTA team for ensuring quality project delivery within a tight timeline.
Highlighting the economic significance of the road, Tinubu noted that the new corridor would reduce travel time, ease transportation costs and improve connectivity for residents of Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Karmo, Idu and Dei-Dei.
He added that the project incorporates street lighting under the Light Up Abuja initiative, improving security and extending commercial activities into the night.
“Goods will move. Markets will breathe. Workers will get to their jobs with less stress. That is what the dividends of democracy look like: government showing up where citizens live,” he said.
The President appealed to residents and traditional rulers to protect the infrastructure by preventing vandalism and ensuring drainages remain free of refuse.
“This infrastructure belongs to you. Guard it. Do not vandalise streetlights. Do not block drains with refuse. Report any damage early. A road maintained by its community lasts for a generation.”
Declaring the road open, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to extend development to every part of the FCT.
“We are not slowing down. Across the FCT, from the centre to the area councils, we are building for inclusion, for safety and for growth. Every district deserves access. Every citizen deserves to feel the impact of government where they are,” President Tinubu said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s determination to complete critical road infrastructure across Abuja, assuring residents that no district or business corridor would be neglected.
Wike said the project was initiated in response to persistent appeals from residents, traders and community leaders who identified poor road access as a major obstacle to business and agricultural activities.
“The people here told us clearly that what they needed most was connectivity to support their businesses and access to farms. These are the roads that open up economic life for the people,” he said.
He recalled that attention had initially focused on the Saburi Road project shortly after he assumed office, but continuous engagements with stakeholders later revealed the urgent need to rehabilitate Old Keffi Road and adjoining corridors.
According to him, the over 15-kilometre road forms part of the FCTA’s comprehensive infrastructure renewal programme under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Wike also disclosed that residents and traders had repeatedly appealed for the project during the Area Council election campaigns, assuring them at the time that the administration would address their concerns.
He noted that the inauguration marked the 17th project commissioned as part of activities commemorating President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office, describing it as further evidence of the administration’s commitment to delivering impactful governance.
The minister revealed that he had already directed Lubrik Construction Company Limited and other contractors to commence work on additional roads within the axis.
“We are committed to ensuring that once problems are identified, especially those affecting mobility and productivity, they are addressed without delay,” he stated.
Wike thanked President Tinubu for approving the project, expressing confidence that residents of the benefiting communities would remember the intervention for many years.
He also appealed to residents and stakeholders to support ongoing infrastructure development by safeguarding completed projects and cooperating with contractors handling new road works across the FCT.
