The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the construction of the main carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), from Ring Road I Junction to Ring Road II in Abuja.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who inaugurated the project on Wednesday, said the road would ease traffic congestion along the Apo–Wasa corridor.
Describing the project as “very important,” Wike said its completion would significantly reduce travel time for residents commuting to the city centre from that axis.
“You will agree with me that this road is very important. Before the Apo–Wasa service lane was constructed, you could only imagine how many hours it took to enter the city.
It was a horrible experience, but we are doing all we can to give the people of the FCT the happiness they deserve,” he said.
The minister attributed the ongoing infrastructural transformation in the FCT to the purposeful leadership of President Bola Tinubu, noting that the removal of fuel subsidy has made funds available for the 36 states and the FCT to pay salaries and execute projects.
“If Mr President had not taken that decisive step to end fuel subsidy, most states wouldn’t have been able to pay salaries — including the FCT.
Tinubu’s leadership has made it possible for every state to pay workers, carry out government activities, and embark on projects,” Wike said.
He added that Tinubu’s “good, purposeful and visionary leadership” was what Nigeria needed to make progress.
On the planned resettlement of Apo Mechanic dealers and artisans from the road corridor to their permanent site in Wasa, Wike said the process had reached an advanced stage.
He disclosed that he had received the cost estimates for providing the required infrastructure at the new site from the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
“Every promise made by this administration under the leadership of Mr President will be fulfilled to the residents of the FCT,” he assured.
Also speaking, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as a bold step toward easing traffic flow, stimulating economic activities, and improving mobility across the territory.
Mahmoud said President Tinubu’s leadership “reminds Nigerians that progress is built not only through policy but through the visible transformation of lives and communities.”
