I am glad that the newly constructed six-lane dual carriageway Airport Expressway to Kuje Road was commissioned yesterday. The road project, which was awarded in February, 2022, had no contractor on-site and was completely abandoned when the current administration took office. With the successful completion of this vital road project, the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restored the hope lost by residents of Kuje. The new road will provide dignified connectivity between the city centre and suburbs and decongest the Abuja metropolis. I thank Vice President Kashim Shettima, for commissioning the project on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. On Monday, next week, which will be Day 4 of the 31 Days of Projects Commissioning in the FCT, it will be commissioning of another major project by the President.

Today, being the second day of our over 30 days of projects commissioning in the FCT, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, commissioned the full-scope development of Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), stretching from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III in the Dape District of Abuja. Today's commissioning marked the completion of the Dape District section of the Arterial Road N5, following last year's commissioning of the Gwarinpa section. Recall that we had 9 days of projects commissioning in 2024, 19 days in 2025 and now an unprecedented 31-day streak for the third anniversary of Mr President. This is a proof that the Renewed Hope Agenda is fully alive in the FCT.

Today, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, officially commission the completed main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), starting from Gudu Cemetery to Kabusa Junction. Tomorrow, which will be the second day of our over 30 days of projects commissioning in the FCT, we will commission the newly constructed Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp Junction to RR III, Dape District section. Contract for the OSEX main carriageways from RRI to RRII was awarded in October last year, meaning that the project, with two bridges, was delivered within eight months. This is another demonstration that nothing is impossible if we are determined and committed to achieving results.

Tomorrow, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will officially begin the commissioning of projects in the FCT, as part of his third anniversary celebrations. The President will commence with the commissioning of stage two of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Main Carriageways. Credit must go to Mr. President, who has supported us to go this far.

Yesterday, I inspected the ongoing construction of the Renewed Hope City Access road in Karsana District, Old Keffi road to Dei-Dei and Life Camp, Airport Road to Kuje, Phase 1 of the Kuje to Gwagwalada road and City Gate remodeling. I am happy that the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, which is a critical infrastructure designed to unlock access to thousands of affordable housing units in the FCT is 98% completed. The 17km Old Keffi Road stretching from Kado Village and Life Camp junction through to the Dei-Dei axis is officially cleared for commissioning too and once completed, this critical infrastructure will link populated communities like Saburi, Gwagwa, Idu and Karmo directly to the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) dramatically reducing travel time. Also, the progress of work on the FCT Highway 105 from Airport Road to Kuje is commendable, just as the Phase 1 of the Kuje to Gwagwalada Road, which is completed too. These two major roads have transformed the visual landscape of the entire Kuje area. The Abuja City Gate remodeling project, the visionary brainchild of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is also on track for a formal handover by early June. This is going to give the nation's capital a modern, welcoming new look.

Inspecting the ongoing construction of access roads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana, Dei-Dei to Life Camp road, road connecting the Body of Benchers, Baze and Nile Universities at the Institution and Research District and the Bill Clinton Drive (Airport Road) to Tugan Madaki community today. These projects are slated to be inaugurated by Mr President as part of his third-year anniversary celebration and the contractors handling the road projects assured that outstanding works including lighting, would soon be completed.

Happy New Month

Today, I received Ambassadors and High Commissioners Designate, who were on a courtesy visit to my office. They were led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed. As directed by Mr. President, lands will be allocated to the Ambassadors and High Commissioners Designate. This move is intended to provide the envoys with permanent residences in the nation’s capital, and ensure that they have a home to return to during official briefings and after their service abroad. The diplomats were urged to be the eyes and ears of Nigeria during their national assignments, reminding them their character and representation are vital to how the world perceives the country. They were also urged to counter misinformation regarding Nigeria’s political landscape, especially the narrative that Nigeria is turning into a one-party state. For me, there is no attempt by Mr. President to make Nigeria a one-party state. The mere fact that one political party has a problem does not mean that Nigeria will be a one-party state, and that should be made clear.

Today, I received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al Balawi, who was on a courtesy visit. Of importance is the long-standing and robust relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, particularly the hospitable treatment of Nigerian pilgrims during Hajj. We are more than eager to translate the cordial ties into tangible urban cooperation, and capitalize on the good relationship to see how our cities can cooperate, learn from each other, and see what we can do together for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Most importantly, we appreciate the Ambassador's commendation of the efforts of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government in providing modern infrastructure in the FCT, so as to make Abuja a world-class capital city.

Today, I received the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Sanna Selin, on a courtesy visit to my office. During the visit, infrastructure and agriculture were highlighted as key areas where the FCT is seeking international cooperation and specifically welcomed Finland’s expertise in green technology and digital services.

Yesterday, I hosted a delegation of the European Union led by European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Gautier Mignot. I do know the high respect Mr. President has as far as the EU is concerned. Therefore, we will make sure that we keep to that tempo to continue to relate with EU member countries in order to further strengthen the relationship that exists between EU countries and Nigeria.

Yesterday, I visited some projects sites to ascertain the level and quality of work done by the contractors handling the projects. The sites visited were the road linking Kubwa Expressway with the Renewed Hope Estates in Karsana, the N16 Dual Carriageway linking Jahi with Gwarimpa, Airport Expressway to Kuje Highway and the dualization of the Kuje to Gwagwalada road. On the Airport Road to Kuje, which is being handled by Arab Contractors, the road project, I am happy that the contractor has assured that it will be completed in May, this year. When completed, it will allow residents to move seamlessly from the satellite towns to the city centre. With a road like this, people won't need to come and stay in the city centre. Rather, they can come to work from Kuje and go back on time.

Today, I led notable leaders of our State to pay a condolence visit to the wife and children of our friend and ally, Senator Barinada Mpigi, in London. Barry died in London last week Thursday, after a brief illness and his wife and children have remained in the UK to conclude the processes of bringing his corpse to Nigeria. He was a dependable ally whose friendship was never in doubt. When he says he is your friend, he is your friend. If Barry says he is not going to work with you, you don't need to go and ask anyone whether he will change his mind. It is very unfortunate that we lost him at the period he is so needed to be around. But we can't question God. He gives, and He takes. It is my prayer that God will give his wife, his children and all members of the Mpigi family as well as we, his friends and associates the strength to bear this loss.

Today, our attention was turned to the judicial sector, as we embarked on assessment of the progress of work at the three new FCT Magistrate Courts in Asokoro, Jabi and Garki. Expansion of judicial infrastructure is a direct response to a presidential directive aimed at ensuring the FCT judiciary is not hampered by lack of space to dispense justice. By increasing the number of available courtrooms, the administration seeks to eliminate delays caused by facility shortages and provide a more conducive environment for legal proceedings.

Today, in continuation of our inspection of high-priority projects in the FCT, we inspected the road projects linking the Abuja Airport Expressway to Kuje and Gwagwalada. I am happy that the Airport road to Kuje project, has exceeded 77% completion, while the Kuje to Gwagwalada road is currently estimated at nearly 65% completion. Once completed, the roads will allow travelers from Gwagwalada to the city center to bypass the main airport road entirely. The road projects are expected to be ready for commissioning by June 2026.

Today, we inspected critical arterial and access roads within the Life Camp and Karsana Districts. The extension of the Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp Junction to Kafe District is nearing 100 percent completion, and Julius Berger Plc has indicated that final works on the walkways and streetlights will be finalized within the next three weeks. The project, which is 8 lane with two bridges is slated for inauguration during Mr President’s third anniversary. On the Renewed Hope City Access Road in Karsana, the construction of the ring road being executed by Lubriks Construction Company is also progressing rapidly and I am satisfied with the quality and level of work done.

Today, we had an extensive tour of ongoing road projects in Satellite Towns like Karu, Karshi, Bwari and Kubwa. The ongoing expansion of rural road infrastructure is in line with Mr President's directive to ensure that the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda are felt beyond the city center. It’s a directive from Mr. President that there should be a massive road network in the satellite towns, not just in the city. We are therefore committed to the actualization of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for rural development. One of the road projects inspected was the very crucial Apo-Karshi road, which was originally awarded in 2010 but had been delayed for over 16 years. The FCT Administration had to take decisive action to end years of excuses by terminating the contract, with the President’s approval, and it was re-awarded to SCC. I am particularly impressed with the level of work done on the rehabilitation and expansion of the road from Karu Bridge to Custom Clinic within Karu, by an ingenious contractor, Abdul Val Nigeria Limited. It is expected that the roads will be completed in May or June 2026. Also, the construction of Bwari to Kubwa road as well as the rehabilitation of the Gbazango road in Kubwa, will be completed before the end of the year, and it is certain that the roads will bring relief to residents in these communities when completed.

In continuation of our inspection of high-priority projects in the FCT, we inspected the ongoing construction of the Court of Appeal Office Complex in Dakibiyu, the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, and exclusive residential accommodations for Heads of Courts in Asokoro. In line with the directive of Mr President, we are ensuring that judicial officers have the welfare and environment required to do their work for the progress of the nation, because judges’ environment is directly tied to their efficiency and safety. We can’t talk about democracy without talking about the judiciary. We can’t talk about the judges doing their work when they cannot have befitting places to live. Therefore, it is our duty, as directed by Mr President, to provide befitting accommodation and places of work for our judicial officers.

Today, I inspected the ongoing construction Collector Road C01 within the Institute and Research District, linking Baze University, Body of Benchers, Nile University and the Wupa Train Station of the Abuja Light rail, the Annex building of the Body of Benchers and the access road from the Bill Clinton Drive (Airport Road) to Tungan Madaki community. I saw significant progress made on the Collector Road C01, and the contractor, CCECC has also committed to a May 2026 completion date, meaning that the project will be ready for inauguration during Mr President’s third year anniversary. Also, in our desire to further improve connectivity, I have directed the Executive Secretary of the FCDA to coordinate with CCECC on a design to extend the Tungan Madaki access road to link up with the Zuba road in order to open up the area.