FCT minister Nyesom Wike assured President Bola Tinubu that the second phase of the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Expressway would be completed soon.

Mr Wike stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, during the inauguration of the first phase of the project, from Outer Southern Expressway to Southern Parkway by Mr Tinubu, to celebrate his one year in office. Vice-President Kashim Shettima represented Mr Tinubu.

The minister explained that the project’s first phase was awarded to Salini Nigeria Ltd in 2010 at N17 billion and revised to N18 billion in 2023, which was fully paid.

He said the project was completed based on Mr Tinubu’s directive that all ongoing projects must be completed per his administration’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

Mr Wike explained that the previous administration awarded CGC the project’s ongoing second phase, which involves 10 bridges and costs N91 billion.

“I can assure you that by the grace of God, we are going to complete the project because it is very key and will change the landscape of Abuja if completed. The project is also very critical to the development of Abuja city,” he said.

The minister also informed Mr Tinubu that the first phase of the renovation of the federal secretariat complex, which the previous administration awarded, had been completed.

He also mentioned that the renovation of the National Assembly had been completed, adding that the current administration had also awarded the contracts for the second phase of the complex’s rehabilitation.

He explained that Abuja is wearing a new look because of completed road resurfacing, projects covering more than 117km across Asokoro, Wuse, Maitama, Garki, Wuye and other districts.

FCT minister of state Mariya Mahmoud said the project would enhance transportation efficiency, promote economic growth and improve the quality of life of Abuja residents.

Shehu Ahmad, executive secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, explained that the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Way stretched from Mogadishu Barrack to Kuje axis, covering about 36km.

Mr Ahmad said the section of the inaugurated road covered 3.5km from Outer Southern Expressway to the intersection at Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, formerly Southern Parkway.

“The Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Expressway (Inner Southern Expressway) provides a rapid east-west movement on the southern flank of the city, which links the Abuja – Keffi Road. The second phase of the project, which is an ongoing contract currently being executed by CGC, would terminate around Ring Road II, popularly called Galadimawa Roundabout, covering 11km,” he said.

The inauguration of the extension of the Inner Southern Expressway (Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Expressway), was the sixth in a row of projects inaugurated to celebrate Tinubu’s one year in office.

The projects inaugurated so far included the Southern Parkway named after Bola Tinubu, the commercial operation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit System, and the Wuye Interchange bridge. Other projects inaugurated by Mr Tinubu were the Outer Southern Expressway to Ring Road I and the Arterial N-20 Road, named after Wole Soyinka.

(NAN)