… Names road ” Wole Soyinka Way”
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has adjunct the arterial road N20 as a testament of development in the Capital Territory and also in the country.
President Tinubu said this on Monday at the presidential commissioning of the N20 , Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Capital City.
The president who consented to the Barr. Nyesom Wike’s request to name the ONEX road after Wole Soyinka said, “The commissioning of the full scope development arterial road N 20, the Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway is another testament to the actualization of our developmental agenda—to transform every part of this country.”
The road was also officially named after Nobel Laureate and Writer Professor Wole Soyinka.
Tinubu said, “We will do it. Let me say here that your momentous and recommendation to name this road as Wole Soyinka Way is well received. He is our foremost Playwright, Novelist, Nobel Prize Winner.”
” He has brought Nigeria fame and a pride of inter actions acclaim. Thank you for thinking that way. We all accept your recommendation on behalf of the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The president further commended the FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike for giving the present government a very successful landing with the various infrastructural developments.
He stated that his choice of Wike was not a misgiving, as the FCT Minister has proven himself as a worthy ally in transforming the Capital City.
” I want to say once again, thank you, Wike and the entire team. What more do you want me to say is that my heart is full of joy, full of pride because they thought you, Nyesom Wike will not perform.”
I heard that from several quarters. I made my choice. You didn’t let me and the country down. You are a worthy ally, creatively thinking and doing, President Tinubu added.
According to the FCT Minister, the people of the FCT are happy about the commissioning of roads by the President Tinubu, and they would have come out to show their gratitude because they are the people who would directly benefit it.
Many people have forgotten that it is not only infrastructure you have given hope to the people, but political will, you gave that hope and that is why today you see everyone working together.
This road was awarded in 2020 at N3.6 billion. There were doubts concerning the completion of this road.
I don’t want to talk about politics, but I do know it will be very difficult for anyone to challenge you in the FCT because the facts are there, the reality is there.
I sincerely thank you and I plead that this road be named after Wole Soyinka , who has done well and should be recognized and in that case, other people would have Hope of being recognized.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, stated that the project would create safer, more efficient, and more sustainable transportation networks that would benefit residents of the nation’s capital city.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi, in an overview of the project, said the Northern N20 road was one of the principal arteries and corridors for conveyance of engineering infrastructure from the primary sources to adjoining districts.
The road crisscrosses 2 sector centers A and B comprising 4 districts each of Katampe, Jahi, Mabushi and Kado on one hand, as well as Jabi, Utako, Daki-Biyu and Wuye districts on the other hand, Hadi explained.
According to him, the just commissioned segment stretches from the Outer Northern Expressway on Muhammadu Buhari Expressway, to the Northern Parkway, at the Ahmadu Bello Way, has two interchanges at the ONEX and at the Northern Parkway ends of the road.
“This king of road, he noted, normally extends its services underground into the adjoining districts. It will crisscross two sector centers, that is sector centre A and B. Sector Center A has 4 principal districts of Katampe, Jahi, Mabushi and Kado.
“The road is a six lane dual carriage way constructed with extensive engineering services conveying water supply, power supply and draining from properties from adjoining districts.”
I am optimistic that the partial completion of the N20 road will drastically reduce the usual traffic gridlock experienced on the Kubwa expressway in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
