…as president commissions Goodluck Ebele Jonathan expressway
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, June 5, described the appointment of the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike as one of the best made in the history of the present administration.
Tinubu commended Wike for striving to redefine the meaning and concept of leadership, adding that he cannot be ignored.
He gave the commendation while commissioning the extension of the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX), from the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) to the Southern Parkway (S8/S9) known as Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Expressway.
Speaking at the inauguration of the critical infrastructure, President Tinubu described the project as another testament to his administration’s development agenda of transforming every part of the country.
The inauguration of the highway is the sixth project inaugurated by President Tinubu, as part of events to mark his administration’s first year in office.
Other projects commissioned include the Southern Parkway, renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, otherwise known as the Metro Rail, and the Outer Southern Parkway, renamed the Mahamadou Issoufou Way, among others.
In the coming months and years, Tinubu said his administration will continue to prioritize infrastructural development as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the present government will remain committed to delivering on its promises, empowering the people, and building a nation that everyone can be proud of.
Tinubu who was represented by the Vice President, Sen Kashim Shettima said: “As we gather here today to commission the extension of the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) and the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) to the Southern Parkway, we celebrate not just the completion of yet another road project by the FCT Administration, but also the commitment of our administration to engendering progress and prosperity.
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“One year ago, I promised to prioritize the transformation of our infrastructure networks, recognizing them as the way through which our economy thrives, and our people connect. The extension of the ISEX represents more than just a road, it symbolizes connectivity, accessibility and opportunity. It signifies our unwavering determination to bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, ensuring that development is not confined to city centres, but reaches every corner of our great nation. But let us not forget that this is just one of the many projects that have been completed across the FCT. There are still many more strategic projects in the pipeline, each designed to address the evolving needs of our Federal Capital, from upgrading existing infrastructure to initiating new projects, we are laying the ground for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
“As we celebrate this achievement, it is crucial once again to acknowledge the concerted efforts of the FCT Minister, Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and his team, all stakeholders involved, including private sector partners. As I said the last time, Wike is a force of human nature. Love him, hate him, but you cannot ignore him. Because at every point in time, he is striving to redefine the meaning and concept of leadership. Wike is one of the best appointments ever made in the history of the current democratic dispensation in this country, and we have to commend Mr President for the vision, for wisdom, and courage to appoint Barrister Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the FCT. There were loud protests when his name was initially mentioned, but I believe all my brothers and sisters who opposed his appointment are now hailing him.
“He’s an exemplary leader, worthy of emulation by us all. He is a very mercurial partner, unfortunately, leadership has turned down that tempo. The whole political space is populated by careful friends. But now he has stopped dancing, he has stopped singing, but he is still performing”.
Earlier, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who hinted that the contract of ISEX was awarded in 2010 at the cost of 17bn naira, reviewed to the tune of 18bn in 2023, said the Company (Salini) handling the project has been fully paid.
Wike also listed other projects completed by his administration including the completion of the awarded first phase of the rehabilitation of the National Assembly complex, the rehabilitation of the Federal Secretariat and the about 117km road stretches across Wise, Maitama and Asokoto.
“Mr. President, it may also interest you that when we come on board, all the many roads within the city, Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Wuye, and other areas, you can see a total rehabilitation of those streets just to give it what it is supposed to be. It is not less than 170km when you add them up.
“So, for us, we owe that gratitude, for allowing the Honourable Minister of State and our team, to be part of the renewed hope agenda that is bringing back hope to the residents of Abuja,” Wike said.
On his part, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Shehu Ahmad Hadi who gave the overview of the ISEX, said the 3.5km road, handled by Salini transverses from the outer southern expressway OSEX, to Southern Parkway (S8/S9), otherwise known as the Good luck Ebele Jonathan Way.
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