Tinubu Flags Off Construction Of Southern Parkway Service Carriageways
…AS FCT MINISTER ORDERS DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES ALONG ROAD CORRIDOR
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has officially flagged off the construction of the Southern Parkway service carriageways, stretching from Arterial Road S20 (Oladipo Diya Way) to Ring Road II in the southern Districts of Abuja.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, noted that the project marks another milestone in the administration’s drive to revolutionize infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He described the Southern Parkway as one of the most strategic corridors in the Abuja Master Plan, linking several districts across the southern axis of the capital city and stressed that the project, when completed, will significantly ease traffic congestion, improve connectivity and accelerate development across the southern districts of the FCT.
President Tinubu explained that while the main carriageway, now known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way, had already been completed and commissioned by the administration, the service lanes were necessary to complete the original vision for the corridor.
“These service carriageways are not a luxury. They are designed to ease access and improve mobility for our people. Residents of Durumi, Gudu, Gaduwa and the mass housing estates in Phase Two face heavy traffic congestion daily. When these service lanes are completed, travel time will reduce, businesses will save money and families will spend less time on the road. That is the dividend of democracy and the Renewed Hope Nigerians can see and feel,” he stated.
He commended the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, describing him as “Mr. Project” for his vision, discipline, and ability to awaken abandoned projects and deliver them in record time.
He said, “Through your action, and not just talk alone, you’ve shown that, truly, you are Mr. project. Since you assumed office, you have awakened the abandoned projects. You set clear targets, and you delivered them in record time. You have brought discipline, vision, will, to the FCTA”.
“You are domesticating the renewed Hope Agenda all across every district of Abuja. Nigerians are seeing it. I am also seeing it. We are feeling it. The transformation of the FCT…is real, and it’s inspiring, and all I can say is that, well done, Mr. Minister”, President Tinubu stated.
He also praised the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and the entire FCT administration for their seamless coordination and commitment to high standards.
While reassuring Nigerians that tough but necessary economic reforms are laying the foundation for common prosperity, President Tinubu urged residents to cooperate with the contractors to ensure the timely completion of the project. He further charged the contractor, China Geo-Engineering Construction (CGC) Nigeria Ltd to engage local youths and train artisans, to turn the infrastructure project into “a source of jobs and skills.”
Speaking earlier at the event, the FCT Minister, Barr. Wike countered speculations that infrastructure development will take a back seat in the FCT, following the recent commissioning exercises, and assured that the coming election season will not slow down the progress of the nation’s capital.
“By the time Mr. President finishes his first tenure in May 2027, before he is sworn in for the second tenure, the landscape of Abuja would have entirely changed to the glory of God,” the Minister declared.
Addressing the project timeline, the Minister expressed total confidence in the handling contractor, CGC, pledging that the FCT Administration will fulfill its financial obligations to keep the project adequately funded. He also challenged the contractor to work round-the-clock and deliver the road before January 2027.
The Minister also issued a stern warning against illegal encroachments on the development corridor, directing the Acting Director of Development Control and the Director of Land to immediately demolish all unauthorized structures built without official approval.
“We have found out that each time we want to carry out construction, people who have not been genuinely allocated lands, you see them forging documents. It will not work,” he said.
“So tell the Acting Director of Development Control to liaise with the Director of Lands to make sure that those who were not given land and have started building, it’s in vain, we will bring it down.
“All these land grabbers who have started to develop lands that are not given to them, he should go and bring all down.
“Heaven will not fall, rather heaven will be at peace when things are done properly,” he added.
In her vote of thanks, the Head of the FCTA Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for his support, thanked the National Assembly for their legislative oversight, and lauded the FCT Minister’s visionary leadership. She also urged the construction firm to maintain the highest safety standards throughout the execution period.
Acting Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, while presenting the technical overview confirmed that the project was in line with the Abuja master plan. He revealed that the Southern Parkway is one of the major roads of the Southern development corridor of the city. He stated that the development of the Southern Parkway had been going on progressively in stages, and that the scope of work for the project included construction of the 2 service carriageways, each of 2 lanes, and about 3 kilometers each, two river bridges of two spans each, drainage structures like trapezoidal drains, pipe culverts, box culverts, as well as street lighting.
The Managing Director of CGC pledged the company’s commitment to delivering a world-class project safely and on time, noting that the ongoing infrastructural transformation in the FCT was already driving positive growth for Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
