Tinubu to FCT Residents: Pay Ground Rent, Taxes for More Projects

President Bola Tinubu has urged residents and business owners in the Federal Capital Territory to pay their taxes, land charges and ground rents to enable government deliver more infrastructure projects.

Tinubu spoke Wednesday at the commissioning of Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III in Dape District. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented him.

“To the residents and business owners enjoying this transformation, I urge you to meet your obligations. Pay your taxes. Clear your land fees and ground rents. Your compliance gives the FCT Administration the strength to build more roads like this one,” Tinubu said.

He described the road as a critical economic corridor that will ease traffic, improve connectivity and unlock investment in the capital.

The Gwarinpa I District section of the road was commissioned in June 2025. Tinubu said his administration promised to complete the remaining section and had done so.

“On that day, we made a pledge to you. We promised not to leave this vital artery half-done. Because the Renewed Hope Agenda is not about abandoned projects; it is about delivery from start to finish,” he said. 

“We are back to commission the Dape District Section of Arterial Road N5, from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III.”

The project was awarded to Julius Berger Plc in October 2024 with a 15-month completion timeline. Tinubu said the era of infrastructure projects lingering for years is over.

“We conceived it, we funded it, and we delivered it. In the past, projects like this became permanent budget lines — ten, fifteen years of excuses. Not under this administration,” he said.

He commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, calling him the administration’s “Engine of Execution,” and praised Julius Berger for delivering on schedule.

“Minister Wike, you and your team have shown what happens when political will meets accountability. We fund projects to see results, not to listen to grammar,” Tinubu said.

According to him, the N5 corridor will reduce travel time and link Dape, Karmo, Gwarinpa I, Kado, Idu and Mbora districts. It will also provide direct access to the Idu Industrial District, cutting logistics costs and attracting investment.

“Beyond that, this road opens a direct gateway to the Idu Industrial District. That means lower logistics costs for businesses, new investment, and more jobs for our people,” he said.

Tinubu urged traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to protect public infrastructure from vandalism and maintain drainage and streetlights.

FCT Minister Wike said the commissioning was day two of a 31-day project inauguration to mark the administration’s third anniversary. He noted that project commissioning rose from nine days in 2024 to 19 days in 2025, and now 31 days.

“For the first time, development has been taken to the satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory. This is unprecedented. Before this period, satellite towns did not know what they call government. Today, they can feel the impact and presence of government,” Wike said.

He said Julius Berger delivered the Gwarinpa section within seven months. On compensation, Wike insisted all affected property owners were paid.

“We paid. If you are saying that because you are from that place and development has passed and government did not dash you money, we don’t dash money when we are carrying out development,” he said, dismissing protests at the event.

Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, called the project another milestone under the Renewed Hope Agenda. She credited Wike’s leadership and thanked residents of Life Camp, Dape District and nearby communities for their cooperation.

Mahmoud said the road will improve transportation, boost commerce and support sustainable urban development in the FCT.