Shettima Commissions Rehabilitated Karu Road, Commends Wike’s Leadership in Abuja’s Transformation

Vice President Kashim Shettima has commissioned the newly rehabilitated and expanded Karu Interchange to Kugbo Clinic Junction road corridor and adjoining roads in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), describing the project as a major boost to trade, economic activities and the quality of life of residents.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Shettima said the road project reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring that development reaches communities where people live, work and commute.

According to the Vice President, the Karu corridor, a critical gateway connecting Abuja with neighbouring states, had for years been plagued by severe traffic congestion that negatively affected productivity and the daily lives of commuters.

“When we took office three years ago, we recognised that true development must reach where the people actually live, work and commute,” Shettima said. “By expanding and rehabilitating these roads, we are not just laying asphalt; we are injecting life back into the local economy.”

He noted that the upgraded road network would significantly reduce travel time, eliminate persistent gridlocks and create a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

The Vice President also highlighted the installation of modern solar-powered streetlights along the corridor, saying the initiative would improve road safety, enhance visibility at night and help reduce criminal activities.

Shettima praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his leadership and commitment to delivering critical infrastructure projects across Abuja.

“The rapid physical transformation across Abuja could not have happened without the dedicated, relentless and focused supervision of the Honourable Minister of the FCT,” he said, adding that Wike’s aggressive implementation of the administration’s urban renewal master plan was evident across the capital city.

He further commended the FCT Administration for prioritising strategic satellite communities such as Karu alongside the city centre, stressing that the government’s goal is to ensure that the territory’s wealth translates into practical benefits for citizens across all socioeconomic classes.

Shettima also applauded the contractor, Abdulbaqi Nigeria Limited, for delivering the project on schedule and to high-quality standards, saying the company had demonstrated that Nigerian firms are capable of meeting international benchmarks in infrastructure delivery.

He urged residents, traditional rulers, market women and youth groups in Karu to protect the infrastructure from vandalism and maintain proper environmental sanitation by avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels.

Officially inaugurating the project on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Vice President declared the Karu Interchange to Kugbo Clinic Junction road and adjoining roads open for public use, expressing optimism that the infrastructure would foster economic growth, improve security and promote long-term prosperity in the Federal Capital Territory.