APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda (2nd left), FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (2nd right) and others, during the flag-off of the construction of the service carriageways on the Outer Southern expressway (Bola Tinubu Way) in Abuja...Tuesday.
FCTA PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF SOUTHERN PARKWAY SERVICE
CARRIAGEWAYS
…AS FCT MINISTER ORDERS DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES ALONG ROAD CORRIDOR
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has officially flagged off the
construction of the Southern Parkway service carriageways, stretching from
Arterial Road S20 (Oladipo Diya Way) to Ring Road II in the southern Districts of Abuja.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, June 23,
2026, President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the National
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe
Yilwatda, noted that the project marks another milestone in the administration’s
drive to revolutionize infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He described
the Southern Parkway as one of the most strategic corridors in the Abuja
Master Plan, linking several districts across the southern axis of the capital
city and stressed that the project, when
completed, will significantly ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity
and accelerate development across the southern districts of the FCT.
President Tinubu explained that while the main carriageway, now
known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, had already been completed and commissioned
by the administration, the service lanes were necessary to complete the
original vision for the corridor.
“These service carriageways are not a luxury. They are designed to ease
access and improve mobility for our people. Residents of Durumi, Gudu, Gaduwa
and the mass housing estates in Phase Two face heavy traffic congestion daily.
When these service lanes are completed, travel time will reduce, businesses
will save money and families will spend less time on the road. That is the
dividend of democracy and the Renewed Hope Nigerians can see and feel,” he
stated.
He commended the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom
Wike, describing him as "Mr. Project" for his vision,
discipline, and ability to awaken abandoned projects and deliver them in record
time.
He said, “Through your action, and not just talk alone, you've shown
that, truly, you are Mr. project. Since you assumed office, you have
awakened the abandoned projects. You set clear targets, and you delivered them
in record time. You have brought discipline, vision, will, to the FCTA”.
“You are domesticating the renewed Hope Agenda all across every district of Abuja. Nigerians are seeing it. I am also seeing it. We are feeling it. The transformation of the FCT...is real, and it's inspiring, and all I can say is that, well done, Mr. Minister”, President Tinubu stated.
He also praised the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud,
and the entire FCT administration for their seamless coordination and
commitment to high standards.
While reassuring Nigerians that tough but necessary economic reforms are
laying the foundation for common prosperity, President Tinubu urged residents
to cooperate with the contractors to ensure the timely completion of the
project. He further charged the contractor, China Geo-Engineering Construction
(CGC) Nigeria Ltd to engage local youths and train artisans, to
turn the infrastructure project into "a source of jobs and
skills."
Speaking earlier at the event, the FCT Minister, Barr. Wike countered
speculations that infrastructure development will take a back seat in the FCT,
following the recent commissioning exercises, and assured that the coming election season will not slow down
the progress of the nation’s capital.
"By the time Mr. President finishes his first tenure in May 2027,
before he is sworn in for the second tenure, the landscape of Abuja would have
entirely changed to the glory of God," the Minister declared.
Addressing the project timeline, the Minister expressed total confidence
in the handling contractor, CGC, pledging that the FCT Administration
will fulfill its financial obligations to keep the project adequately funded.
He also challenged the contractor to work round-the-clock and deliver
the road before January 2027.
The Minister also issued a stern warning against illegal encroachments
on the development corridor, directing the Acting Director of Development
Control and the Director of Land to immediately demolish all unauthorized
structures built without official approval.
“We have found out that each time we want to carry out construction,
people who have not been genuinely allocated lands, you see them forging
documents. It will not work,” he said.
“So tell the Acting Director of Development Control to liaise with the
Director of Lands to make sure that those who were not given land and have started
building, it’s in vain, we will bring it down.
“All these land grabbers who have started to develop lands that are not
given to them, he should go and bring all down.
“Heaven will not fall, rather heaven will be at peace when things are
done properly,” he added.
In her vote of thanks, the Head of the FCTA Civil Service Commission,
Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for
his support, thanked the National Assembly for their legislative oversight, and
lauded the FCT Minister’s visionary leadership. She also urged the construction
firm to maintain the highest safety standards throughout the execution period.
Acting Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, while
presenting the technical overview confirmed that the project was in line with
the Abuja master plan. He revealed that the Southern Parkway is one of the
major roads of the Southern development corridor of the city. He stated that
the development of the Southern Parkway had been going on progressively in
stages, and that the scope of work for the project included construction of the
2 service carriageways, each of 2 lanes, and about 3 kilometers each, two river
bridges of two spans each, drainage structures like trapezoidal drains, pipe
culverts, box culverts, as well as street lighting.
The Managing Director of CGC pledged the company's commitment to
delivering a world-class project safely and on time, noting that the ongoing
infrastructural transformation in the FCT was already driving positive growth
for Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
ADDITIONAL PICTURE AND CAPTION
L-R: APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda; FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike; Deputy Managing Director, CGC Nigeria Litd, Lv Haiming and others during the flag-off of the construction of the service carriageway on the Outer Southern expressways (Bola Tinubu Way) in Abuja...Tuesday.
RABI MUSA UMAR
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)
FCTA/ODP/PR/863
23/06/2026
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