President Bola Tinubu says his administration has drawn a comprehensive plan to transform the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) into a world-class city.

Mr Tinubu disclosed this at the inauguration of the Arterial Road N20, where he also approved the naming of the road after Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.

“This project is a critical component of our administration’s comprehensive plan to transform the FCT into a world-class city,” said Mr Tinubu.

He added, “It equally aligns with our broader objectives of improving urban infrastructure, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring that our cities are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the future.”

Mr Tinubu described the project as another testament to his administration’s developmental agenda of transforming every part of the country.

“I am also aware that the project enabled the creation of employment opportunities for over 1,500 Nigerians.

“This is commendable and serves as a credit to the Renewed Hope Agenda for creating job opportunities for our teeming youth,” he said.

Mr Tinubu noted that the road project’s successful completion should also serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across the nation.

Speaking on why he approved the recommendation to name the road after Mr Soyinka, the president said, “He is our foremost playwright, novelist, and Nobel prize winner and has brought Nigeria fame, pride, and international acclaim.”

The president also commended Mr Wike, the FCT Administration, the contractors, the engineers, and all those who contributed to the project’s completion.

In his remarks, Mr Wike thanked the president for renewing the hope of Abuja residents and realising it.

”I do not want to talk about politics now, but I know it will be very difficult for anybody to challenge the president in the FCT. The facts are there.

“It is not about theory. It is about reality. You said you will do this and have done it,” the minister said.

In a project overview, the executive secretary, FCDA, Shehu Hadi Ahmad, explained that Arterial Road N20 is a six-lane dual carriageway, crisscrossing two major sector centres.

Mr Ahmad added that the road has extensive underground infrastructure for utilities such as water, power, and drainage and is also equipped with streetlights and conduits for telecommunication facilities.

He added that the road is expected to enhance vehicular traffic circulation from the bounding districts of Mabushi, Katampe, Jahi, and Kado through the sector centres.

(NAN)