‎By Olawumi Oyehan

‎President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensure that development gets to every Nigerian, not just those at the centre alone.

‎Tinubu stated this on Tuesday while commissioning the Newly Constructed Gomani-Dafa-Yangoji Road, in Abuja.

‎Tinubu, who was represented at the occasion by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said it is imperative for those in the satellite towns not to feel that Abuja is two world, one for the elites in the centre, and the other one is the ones staying in satellite towns.

‎According to the President, “When we set out under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we agreed on one thing: development must reach every Nigerian, not just those at the center, not just those at the cities. Abuja cannot be a city of two worlds, with gleaming district lights but forgotten settlements, in other words, forgotten satellite towns. This road rejects that divide.

‎”This road connects Gomani, Dafa, and Yangoji to markets, to schools, to hospitals, and also to opportunities. It says clearly that the wealth of this nation belongs to all of us, whether you live on a boulevard or you live on a farm track, You must take part in the wealth of this nation.

‎”For too long, the strength of our rural communities was held back by poor access roads. Crops rotted away before reaching the market. Young people left because the road to their areas were impassable. Instead of taking them up, the roads were bringing them down. Those things have changed today.

‎”So, ladies and gentlemen, with the opening of this corridor, farmers can move produce faster now. Buyers can also reach the farms without delay. And of course, post-harvest losses will be minimized or will drop significantly. Kwali can now stand on its own as a food-producing hub for the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.

‎”Roads like this keep families together by giving them reasons to stay at home and to build their lives at home.”

‎Commending the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, he said, “This is the 15th day of the commissioning of infrastructure projects by the FCT. So, we must say, out of the 31 days for this third round of commissioning, the Honorable Minister of the FCT and your team, we are very proud of the work you are doing.

‎” I commend the contractors once again, Zeberced Construction, and their engineers. After a solid work on the highway A2 to Pai road, you have done it again. You delivered drainages that will hold. You built bridges that will last, and streetlights that extend most of the communities you pass through to working days, no longer nights, you have extended the days for this community. You met the timeline set by the administration of the FCT. That is the standard that we expect, and the standard that Nigerians deserve.

‎”So, distinguished guests, none of this will be happening at this pace without leadership that understands the assignment given to it. Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and National Leader of the People’s Democratic Party, Barrister Nyesom Wike, you took my advice seriously, to open up the area council and match city development with rural development. You have supervised the projects closely, and you have kept the contractors on their toes, and the result is here for all to see.

‎”The energy and joy I saw in Yangoji and Dafa communities during your inspections told the real story. Even the turnout of today further tells the story. When government delivers honestly, people feel it, and they respond as they have responded. Of course, this shows trust in government. Congratulations, and well done.

‎”Wike, you have earned us that trust here in this community and in this local government area. I want to salute your vision also, and your passion to deliver, and particularly your understanding of the intention of my administration, the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I also commend the Honorable Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and the entire FCT administration. From supervision, community engagements, to quality control, you have worked as one. This road is proof of what happens when a team is focused on results and not excuses.”

‎He, therefore, assured, “Let me say this very plainly, the era of starting projects only to abandon them is over. We will fund, we will finish, and we will maintain the infrastructure we are building. From city expressways to rural areas to access roads, every single Naira of public fund must show up as value for the citizens of this country. We’ll keep laying it, district by district, council by council, and state by state, until Nigeria becomes a developed nation.”

‎In his address, Wike recalled that, the administration made some promises to the community and the newly Constructed Gomani-Dafa-Yangoji Road was one of the promises made and it is now being fulfilled.

‎He said, “Your Excellency, the Chairman of the council and the traditional rulers, I remember the traditional ruler of Kwali did mention of these three roads, A2 to Pai, Pai to Gomani, Gomani to Dafa and Yangoji, which is about 43 kilometers. Today, to the glory of God, all our promise to them, they will not say we have not fulfilled. And I want to thank the paramount ruler and your Kingdom for giving us the support, for giving the contractors the support. There are other areas outside FCT, which I know, when jobs are awarded, what traditional rulers will do first is to ask the contractors, “what is there for them?” Their interest is not to make sure the job is carried to the logical conclusion. Their interest is “look, what is there for us?” And once the contractor submits to that, they don’t longer bother about whether the job is completed or not. But here in FCT, I want to say with all authority, that their own interest is for the conclusion of the roads, of the projects, that will be of benefit to their people. And I said they should continue. With that, the government will continue to do more for them.”