By Emmanuella Oghenetega
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the newly constructed Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), stretching from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road 3, in Abuja.
The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, described the Arterial Road N5 as “more than just a road,” emphasizing that it symbolizes “progress, connectivity, and renewed hope” for residents.
He further commended the FCT Administration and all stakeholders for their dedication in bringing the project to fruition, urging citizens to utilize and protect the new road responsibly”.
Speaking earlier, the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, expressed gratitude to the President for his personal commitment to the FCT’s development.
He noted that while the project was awarded in September last year and flagged off in October, what was being commissioned is the first phase from Life Camp Junction to Dape District. Barrister Wike assured that the second phase, which extends to Ring Road 3 and eventually to the airport road, is slated for completion before the end of the year, adding that discussions regarding compensation for affected communities was ongoing.
Recounting a significant challenge faced during the project’s execution concerning compensation for residents whose homes were impacted, the FCT Minister firmly stated that his administration’s policy under President Tinubu, was to ensure that all residents with houses in the area, regardless of their indigenous status, received fair compensation.
“It is not under this administration of President Tinubu that somebody is living in his house and we want to bring this house down, and you say you are not going to pay compensation because he is not an indigene. I said no, that is not what we should allow. And I directed that all of them who have houses here must be paid. And they were paid”, Barrister Wike asserted.
The Minister also lauded Julius Berger Plc, the contractor, for their exemplary work and timely completion of the project, noting an improved confidence among contractors in the FCT.
Providing a technical background, the Acting Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, explained that Arterial Road N5 is a crucial inter-district road traversing several districts within the city. He detailed that the road, originating from the Central Business District near the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, passes through Wuse District (Phase 1), Utako and Jabi Districts (Phase 2), and extends to Gwarimpa and Dape Districts (Phase 3).
Engr. Dauda confirmed that Phases 1 and 2 of the road were fully developed, with the current commissioned project representing the Phase 3 segment from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road 3. He highlighted that Arterial Road N5 is a six-lane dual carriageway with an additional parking lane, making it an eight-lane facility.
“The completion of this project will open up the area for development, improve circulation and interconnection within the adjoining Districts of Phase 3, which is Dape, Gwarimpa I, Idu and Mbora Districts. It will improve and enhance socio-economic lives of the residents, in addition to other numerous benefits”, Engr. Dauda added.
