'You Have Earned My Trust' — Tinubu Hails Wike Over Abuja Infrastructure Projects

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, saying he has earned his confidence through what the President described as the timely and visible delivery of critical infrastructure projects across Abuja.

Tinubu made the remarks on Friday while commissioning the 10.5-kilometre access road network serving the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in Karsana West, Abuja.

According to the President, the transformation taking place in the Federal Capital Territory demonstrates his administration's commitment to delivering tangible development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

"I gave that assignment to a minister who treats deadlines as duties," Tinubu said.

"I told the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, that civil servants, families and investors cannot live in houses they cannot reach. 'Open Karsana, and open it now.'

"He took that brief, set the pace and delivered."

The President added:

"Minister Wike, the difference in the FCT is visible because you do the work and let the result speak. You have earned my trust, and you have my commendation."

'This Is Not Groundbreaking'

Tinubu described the newly completed roads as more than ordinary infrastructure, saying they represent practical evidence that government promises are being fulfilled.

According to him, the completed road network, including Arterial Roads N11, N16, N40 and Special Important Local Street 03 will improve access to thousands of affordable housing units under the Renewed Hope Cities project.

"We are here today to commission access. Access to homes. Access to work. Access to a future that the Renewed Hope Agenda promised.

"This is not groundbreaking. This is a road you can drive on today," he said.

The President recalled that when he performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the 3,112-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana in 2024, he directed that road infrastructure should be prioritised to make the housing estate functional.

"Housing without access is a blueprint without a building.

"For too long, Abuja's story was 'awarded and abandoned'. Today, we are ending that story with roads that open, not ones that stall," he said.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration's commitment to promptly paying contractors who execute projects according to agreed specifications and timelines.

He commended Lubrik Construction Company for completing the project after the Federal Executive Council approved the contract in February 2025.

"Under this administration, contractors who deliver will be paid without delay.

"That is the bargain. In return, you must deliver on time and to specification. We will not accept excuses for missed deadlines, and we will not accept substandard work," the President said.

He also praised FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, alongside engineers and officials of the FCT Administration, for ensuring the project met quality standards and was delivered on schedule.

The President called on Abuja residents to safeguard public infrastructure by keeping drainage systems clear, preventing vandalism and avoiding encroachment on road corridors.

He said the Renewed Hope Agenda is built on identifying problems, funding solutions, supervising implementation and completing projects.

"Renewed Hope is not a slogan.

"It is a method we practice: identify the bottleneck, fund the solution, supervise the work and finish what we started," he said.

According to him, the approach is gradually rebuilding public confidence in government.

Tinubu subsequently declared the Karsana access roads officially open, expressing confidence that they would improve mobility, housing delivery, security and economic development in the Federal Capital Territory.

Earlier, Wike recalled that the Karsana district had no access road when President Tinubu performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Renewed Hope Estate in 2024.

"For those of us who were here that day, I was imagining how anyone would come to live in this area because there was no road," the minister said.

He disclosed that developers expressed concern that their investments could become stranded without road access.

"I told them, 'It is Renewed Hope. Go home and sleep. We must construct the road in this Karsana district.'

"Today, it is a different story."

Wike attributed the successful delivery of the project to prompt funding by the Federal Government and the contractor's commitment to meeting deadlines.

He also announced that the FCT Administration would officially flag off the construction of the Kaba-Kagini-Zaudna Road on Wednesday, following complaints from residents over the condition of the road.

In her remarks, FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as another milestone in implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She said the new road network would improve connectivity, stimulate economic activities and expand access to affordable housing across the territory.

Mahmoud urged residents and other stakeholders to protect public infrastructure to ensure its long-term sustainability and benefit for future generations.