President Bola Tinubu says the Nyesom Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration is opening the territory for businesses, housing and investment.

Mr Tinubu said this in Abuja on Tuesday while inaugurating the right-hand service carriageway of the Inter-Northern Expressway (INEX) from Ring Road III to Outer Northern Expressway, ONEX (Murtala Mohammed Expressway).

The project was among the 10 so far inaugurated out of the 17 outlined for inauguration to celebrate Mr Tinubu’s second year in office.

Represented by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, the president described the newly constructed INEX as a “critical piece” of the Federal Territory Master Plan.

He added that the road was designed to ease traffic flow, enhance connectivity and improve urban mobility for millions of commuters, residents and businesses in the city.

The president commended the FCT Administration, led by Mr Wike, for its vision and commitment to the quality and timely execution of projects.

“What you have contributed to something larger than the roadway, you have contributed to the future of our capital.

“This vital carriageway we inaugurated today is not just a road; It is a symbol of progress and a reflection of my administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“An agenda committed to building infrastructure that serves the people and unlocks economic potential and supports sustainable development,” he said.

Mr Tinubu pointed out that as traffic volume increases in the FCT and across the satellite towns, it has become imperative to continuously expand and maintain critical routes.

“We are determined to replicate these sources in every part of the country with roads, bridges, railways, and more, ensuring that no region is left behind,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Wike said the 16-kilometre road was awarded in 2014 at N7 billion but was executed and completed by the current administration at N31 billion due to inflation and variation.

He said the completion of the project was in line with Mr Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda to complete ongoing projects.

“This is the industrial site of Abuja. The Industrial Park is somewhere close, and the developer had not been encouraged until the Tinubu Administration rescued the situation.

“The Industrial Park, when completed, will create 40,000 direct jobs. If we are able to give them support, some of the problems will be solved,” he said.

The minister emphasised that road infrastructure was the driver of any economic growth, stressing that investors would come when there were roads.

Richard Dauda, acting executive secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, said the full scope of the road in the Abuja Master Plan from Maitama to ONEX was a 32.5-kilometre, 10-lane expressway.

He said the road was planned to consist of two main carriageways, each with three lanes, and two service carriageways, each with two lanes.  

“The Master Plan provides that the expressway commences at Maitama by the IBB Golf Course, traverses through the Central Area, passing between the National Mosque and the Yar’adua Centre in Phase I and continues through Phase II of the city to Wuye and Dakibiyu Districts.

“It then proceeds to Phase III and Phase IV, through the Idu Industrial Area and terminates at ONEX,” he said.  

He said the road was being developed in stages, with the first phase being the right-hand carriageway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, adding that the second stage was the section being inaugurated.

(NAN)