President Bola Tinubu on Monday commissioned a 15-kilometre, road linking A2 Junction on the Abuja-Lokoja expressway to Pai road in Kwali Area Council, of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking at the ceremony, Tinubu praised the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, for what he called a “wonderful job” in pushing development beyond the city into underserved rural communities.

The president described the project as a key step towards unlocking rural prosperity and addressing lingering challenges in agriculture and security.

Tinubu said, “I just left the commissioning of a great mechanization project to come here. On our way, we saw opportunities, prosperity, and the need for the establishment of ranches and rural development to uplift the lives of our rural people. We will combat what used to be a liability and a source of conflict, turning it into a means of prosperity.”

The president stressed that road and infrastructure projects would only be meaningful if they served the people, while promising balanced development that leaves no community behind.

“This newly constructed road is both symbolic and strategic because it opens a new corridor for agriculture, commerce, education, and mobility, strengthening our national economy from the grassroots up,” Tinubu added.

The Pai Road project, according to Tinubu, fits into his administration’s broader agenda of rural revitalization and food security.

He hinted at efforts to support ranching and modern livestock management to reduce conflicts and boost the economy.

Tinubu assured Fct residents that his government would sustain investments that lift lives at the grassroots.

“We will ensure that development is not lopsided but balanced, inclusive, and targets lifting lives,” the president pledged.

FCT Minister Wike, in his remarks, highlighted the administration’s commitment to transforming rural infrastructure.

He noted that the Pai road is part of an ambitious push that has delivered over 150 kilometres of rural roads across satellite towns and area councils since May 2023.

“Today, that narrative is changing. I commend the contractors for their quality work, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. To the people of Pai, this is your road. Take ownership of it, guide it, maintain it, and let it be a pathway to growth and a bridge to a better life,” Wike said.

Wike listed out completed rural road projects, including the Paikon Kore-Ibwa Road in Gwagwalada, the Gabo-Tokulo Road and bridge in Bwari, the Yangoji-Sukuku-Ebo Road in Kwali, and access roads in Kuje and AMAC.

He assured that more projects were on the way, including the Nyanya-Karshi dual carriageway and the dualization of the Ushafa-Kaduna Checkpoint road.

“This for me is very, very important. It shows that Your Excellency’s emphasis is not just on improving infrastructure in the city, but also on improving life in satellite towns and rural areas,” Wike said.

He further stressed the importance of opening up rural roads for security and agricultural investment saying, “We are willing to pay compensation to communities and give land to real farmers so we can come out of the food security problem the federal government is trying to solve. But real farmers, not political farmers who will hold the land as speculators.”