Barr. Nyesom Wike, Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Hon. Mukktar Aliyu Betara, Managing
Director, JBN, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch and Senator Mao Ohuabuwa at the commiisioning of Arterial
Road N5 in Dape, Abuja, Wednesday
President Bola Tinubu has commissioned the full development of Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), stretching from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III in Abuja’s Dape District, praising Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for what he described as world-class project delivery.
Represented at the ceremony by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President braved heavy rainfall to inaugurate the road, commending the construction giant for its trademark professionalism and commitment to excellence.
“I commend Julius Berger for matching speed with world-class engineering and for treating this assignment with the seriousness it deserves”, Tinubu said.
Director, JBN, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch at the commissioning.
Highlighting a departure from the past, Tinubu noted that infrastructure projects like Arterial Road N5 were once plagued by delays and abandonment, often lingering in budgets for over a decade without completion. He stressed that the current administration conceived, funded, and delivered the project within a strict 15-month timeline after awarding it in October 2024.
“We did not inherit this section from previous administrations. We conceived it, funded it, and delivered it”, he stated, adding that infrastructure remains a critical measure of national seriousness and development.
The President further emphasized his administration’s resolve to transform the Federal Capital Territory into a functional and globally competitive capital city, free from neglect and abandoned promises.
Tinubu also praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing him as “the engine of execution” whose leadership has eliminated excuses and driven accountability in project delivery.
“The Honourable Minister has shown what happens when political will meets accountability. We fund projects to see results, not to hear explanations for failure”, he added.
Speaking at the event, Wike lauded Julius Berger for its reliability and consistency, stating that the company never takes assignments lightly.
at the event
“One company I know that does not joke when you give them an assignment is Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. I sincerely thank them”, Wike said.
Recounting a recent engagement with the company’s management, the Minister revealed how he secured a commitment to deliver the project in time for the President’s third anniversary in office.
“I told them we wanted this project ready for commissioning during the anniversary. They said, ‘play your part, and we will play ours’.They fulfilled their promise, and we fulfilled ours”, he said.
Wike also highlighted the growing scale of project commissioning activities in the FCT under the Tinubu administration.
According to him, nine days were dedicated to commissioning projects during the first anniversary in 2024, 19 days in the second year, and 31 days have been scheduled for the third anniversary in 2026.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Julius Berger stated that the project required extensive technical expertise and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering complex infrastructure to the highest standards.
The completion of Arterial Road N5 is expected to significantly improve connectivity and ease traffic flow within Abuja, reinforcing the administration’s broader infrastructure development agenda.