Tinubu Names FCT N20 Arterial Road After Wole Soyinka

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again commissioned the Arterial Road N20 from the Northern Parkway N8/N9 to the Outer Northern Expressway, ONEX in the Federal Capital City.

President Tinubu also reiterated his Administration’s commitment to invest in infrastructure to bring economic prosperity closer to the people, in view of the population growth in the FCT and in the country at large.

According to President Tinubu, “The population of Nigeria is growing, the population of the FCT is growing. It is necessary to invest in infrastructure to sustain the growth and bring economic property to our people.”

President Tinubu further thanked the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for his transformational prowess that has given his Administration a successful first year landing, evident in infrastructure development across the territory.

He particularly commended Wike for not disappointing him before all those that criticized him for making him the FCT Minister.

“My heart is full of joy. Full of pride because they thought you, Nyesom Wike will not perform. I heard that from several quarters. I made my choice and you didn’t let me and the country down.”

“You work day and night. The reforms you recommended were accepted by me. People are benefitting and you are proud to bring them out. Permanent Secretaries and civil servants. The jobs you are creating during these activities is extremely encouraging”.

“The commissioning of the full scope development arterial road N20 from Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway, ONEX, is another testament to the actualisation of our developmental agenda to transform every part of this country”.

“My presence here today is to thank you for giving this government a very successful first year landing. You inspired so many people and the acronym, WIW, “Wike is Working” is resonating with all of us”, Tinubu said.

Earlier, the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, revealed that the newly completed 3.5 km N20 road, which was awarded in 2020, at the cost of N30.6billion naira was completed under this Administration without variation cost.

Wike suggested to Mr President that the road be named after Nigeria’s Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka now that he his still alive, as a recognition of his contribution to nation building.

“It is good when somebody is alive and who has made this country happy, to recognize him than waiting for when he dies. A dead man does not know what happens. So, I will appeal to you, there is one of our own who has done a lot, the only Nobel Laureate we have that has made Nigeria proud in the world, I recommend that this road should be named ‘Wole Soyinka Way.’ Wike recommended.

In her vote of thanks, FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, who expressed gratitude to Mr President on behalf of FCTA, said the road will enhance interconnectivity, create safer, and more sustainable transportation network that will benefit everyone in the territory.

On his part, the Executive Secretary FCDA, Shehu Ahmad Hadi gave an overview of the project.

“The road segment which stretches from the Outer Northern Expressway on Muhammadu Buhari Expressway, to the Northern Parkway, at the Ahmadu Bello Way, has two interchanges at the ONEX and at the Northern Parkway ends of the road.

“This kind of road normally extends its services underground into the adjoining districts. As I said it is going to crisscross two sector centers, that is sector centre A and B. Sector Center A has 4 principal districts of Katampe, Jahi, Mabushi and Kado. Sector Centers are heavily commercial and socio-economic activity areas under the Abuja Master Plan,

“The road is a six lane dual carriage way constructed with extensive engineering services conveying water supply, power supply and draining from properties from adjoining districts”, Hadi said.

The newly inaugurated Arterial N20 road, with the approval of President Tinubu, was named after the Nigeria Nobel laureate as “Wole Soyinka way.”

The approval reads in part: “Let me say here that your recommendation to name this road as Wole Soyinka Way is well received…Thank you for thinking that way. We all accept your recommendation on behalf of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Tinubu has so far inaugurated five critical FCT projects, the Southern Express Park way – now Bola Tinubu Way, the Wuye Bridge Interchange, the Abuja light Rail, the Outer Southern Express Way, OSEX, and the N20 Arterial road, now “Wole Soyinka Way”.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji