Tinubu Names Guzape District, ‘Chinua Achebe Way’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the engineering infrastructure in Guzape Lot2 District with a road stretch of 31.3km.

Inaugurating the infrastructure in Abuja, President Tinubu named the district after a renowned literary icon, Chinua Achebe, who is the the author of “Things Fall Apart” for his contribution to national development.

Tinubu pointed out that the successful completion of the Guzape lot2 infrastructure was a significant mile stone and total commitment of the present administration to enhancing infrastructure development in the country.

Guzape district is one of the newest districts created outside the original Abuja master plan as a necessity. It is divided into Lot 1&2, with a landscape of 1,070 hectares with 129 occupied by settlers. While Gilmor has fully completed Lot2 engineering infrastructure, Dantata & Sawoe has recently been re-mobilized back to site to handle Lot1 district that had suffered poor funding over the years.

The provision of engineering infrastructure in Guzape Lot2 District makes it the number 9 critical FCTA project President Tinubu has inaugurated to mark his one year achievement in office.

President Tinubu on the occasion, explained that the opening up of the district is not just a mere necessity, but a renewed hope and a commitment of shared excellence.

Mr President again, commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for demonstrating exceptional leadership style for the country at a time the nation was going through trying moments.

“Nyesom Wike, you have provided exceptional leadership at the trying time for the country. Up till now we are still fine-tuning and re-jigging our financial system to bring prosperity and relief to the people of this country.

“You have demonstrated, the capacity to build a team, lead a team, and deliver on promises. I commend you, well done.

“The realization of the successful completion of engineering infrastructure in Guzape District is a testament to what we can achieve through dedication, planning, collaboration and shared commitment to excellence,” Tinubu said.

Reacting to the issue of litigation by the FCTA and the Guzape villagers, President Tinubu advised the District Head and followers to choose dialogue and resolve the matter in the interest of the public.

According to President Tinubu, those having court cases against the FCT administration should embrace conversation rather than litigation.

“To all of you here and the district head of Guzape, Litigation is not the answer, conversation is the answer. Development that is focused on the people for the economic prosperity and benefit of all is what should reside in us”.

“Talk to our people whenever you need us, talk to our representatives, let us together help build Nigeria. It’s not a personal thing,” Tinubu noted.

Earlier, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who was excited that a 20 years abandoned project was completed within Tinubu’s one year in office, explained that the contract was awarded in 2003 under President Obasanjo at the cost of 14 bn, but was reviewed to over 18bn in May 2023.

Wike who expressed his profound gratitude to Mr President for giving him and the Minister of State for FCT a free hand to execute projects without interference, reiterated the FCT Administration’s readiness to complete the ongoing road projects around the diplomatic area.

“Mr. President, let me on behalf of the FCT, once again, I appreciate you for giving us nine consecutive days, knowing fully well how busy your office is. That again shows the love you have for FCT, and for giving them hope which they already lost before now, I want to thank you very much.

“Another area is the diplomatic area. We are working by the grace of God, by next year, we will do everything we can to make sure that the area is completed, “Wike promised.

The Executive Secretary FCDA, Shehu, Ahmad Hadi, while giving an overview of the project said all work at the Guzape lot2 projects have been completed with over 1000 electricity poles already erected and powered.

” The District is meant to provide services to about 1017 number of plots. They are of various usage and sizes. We have residential, commercial, and we have parking areas. The Lot2 we are presenting today, out of 1017 plots, is covering a total number of 561 plots, ” Hadi said.

The FCTA Projects completed under the leadership of Nyesom Wike and inaugurated by President Tinubu include: the Southern Express Park way – now Bola Tinubu Way, the Wuye Bridge Interchange, the Abuja light Rail, the Outer Southern Express Way, OSEX, the N20 Arterial road, now “Wole Soyinka Way”.

Others are, the Inner southern express way, ISEX and the completion of B6- Constitution avenue, B12- independence avenue & the Circle Roads to the Abuja Central Area, the VP official residence and the provision of Engineering infrastructure in Guzape lot2 district, now named Chinua Achebe Way.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji