By Daniel Tyokua
President Bola Tinubu has flagged off the construction of two service carriageways along the Southern Parkway from Arterial Road S20 to Ring Road 2 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to improve traffic flow in the southern corridor.
Tinubu while flagging off the project on Tuesday, said the project was conceived to complement the already completed main carriageway, known as Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, which was commissioned earlier under his administration.
Represented by the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Tinubu said the Southern Parkway is a major route within the Southern Development Corridor, stretching from the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) in Phase 1 and terminating at ISEX in Phase 4 of the FCT.
He explained that, in line with the Abuja Master Plan, the completed road network would enhance vehicular movement across the southern districts of the city and strengthen inter-district connectivity.
Tinubu explained that residents of Durumi, Gudu, Gaduwa and neighbouring mass housing estates in Phase 2 currently face severe traffic congestion along Abdulsalami Abubakar Way and Oladipo Diya Way, particularly during peak hours.
He said the new service carriageways would help ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time, lower transportation costs for businesses and improve the quality of life for residents.
“The service carriageways are not a luxury. They are meant to provide easier access for our people and improve traffic circulation across the southern axis of Abuja,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, assured residents that the ongoing transformation of Abuja will continue uninterrupted despite the approaching elections.
He explained that the Southern Parkway project will be completed and commissioned before the 2027 general elections.
Wike said the FCT Administration is keen on implementing President Bola Tinubu’s development agenda across the nation’s capital.
The minister boasted that Abuja would witness unprecedented development before the end of President Tinubu’s first term in office.
He commended the contractor, CGC Nigeria Limited for being committed to FCT projects, saying the administration will always ensure that there is fund for the company to carry out it work.
“People have been asking whether projects will be abandoned because elections are approaching. The answer is no. Elections or no elections, we must continue to carry out the directives of Mr. President to change the landscape of the Federal Capital Territory.
“By the time Mr. President finishes his first tenure on May 29, 2027, before he is sworn in for a second tenure, the landscape of Abuja would have entirely changed, to the glory of God,” Wike said.
