By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
Thousands of residents, farmers and traders in communities along the Tungan Madaki–Zuba corridor are set to benefit from improved transportation, easier market access and new economic opportunities following the Federal Government’s flag-off of a seven-kilometre access road linking the area to the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, performed the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, describing the project as a strategic investment aimed at unlocking the economic potential of rural communities and expanding critical infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The new road will extend the recently completed Bill Clinton Drive–Tungan Madaki Road, creating a major transport corridor that links several communities to Abuja while providing an alternative route for travellers heading to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Zuba, Kaduna and neighbouring states.
According to the President, the project will reduce travel time and transportation costs, improve security response, connect farming communities to larger markets and attract investments in housing, healthcare, education and commerce across the corridor.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, revealed that the road extension was approved after the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kassim, appealed for the project on behalf of residents.
He said the approval demonstrates the administration’s commitment to ensuring that satellite towns enjoy the same level of infrastructure development as the city centre, adding that the project reflects President Tinubu’s vision of improving connectivity across the FCT.
Wike also directed the contractor, CCECC, to complete the project before December, expressing confidence that it would be delivered in time as a “Christmas gift” to residents of Tungan Madaki, Zuba and neighbouring communities.
Earlier, Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, said the road would enhance connectivity, improve livelihoods and stimulate economic growth across the benefiting communities.
Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Richard Dauda, said the seven-kilometre road will connect Tungan Wakili, Anguwan Lasheri, Tungan Jiwa, Tungan Nasara, Tungan Samu, Amawa and Jima, opening up vast agricultural areas, improving security and accelerating development throughout the corridor.
