Tinubu: A2 Junction-Pai Road Will Boost Ranching, End Conflict

OlawaleAjimotokanin Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has stated that the A2-Junction to Pai Road will support opportunities for the establishment of ranches and rural development to uplift the lives of rural people and combat what used to be source of conflict.

He affirmed this yesterday when he commissioned the 15-kilometre Road constructed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration as a part of the projects to commemorate his second anniversary in office.

“I just left the commissioning of a great mechanization project to come here. On our way here, we saw opportunities, prosperity, and the need for the establishment of ranches and rural development to uplift the lives of our rural people.

“On my way here, I observed the need for our great farmers and livestock owners to establish opportunities for grazing and do what is necessary. We will help you. We will work with you. We will combat what used to be a liability and a source of conflict, turning it into a means of prosperity,” Tinubu said.

The President noted that road and infrastructure development were meaningless if they were not developed for the benefit of the people, stressing that the project would continue to elevate peoples’ lives if the administration continued to prioritize infrastructure development in all zones.

“The commissioning of this newly constructed road from A2 junction on Abuja-Lokoja expressway to Pai Town is both symbolic and strategic.

“It is strategic because it opens a new corridor for agriculture, commerce, education, mobility, and other areas, strengthening our national economy from the grassroots up.

“Rural communities such as Pai make an important contribution to Nigeria’s social and economic fabric, especially in food production and local enterprises.

“But their potential has been hindered by poor road access, isolation, and neglect for far too long,” the President declared.

He also lauded the FCT Minister NyesomWike and his team for doing a good job for the underserved rural areas, stressing the country would not forget what they were doing for the development of this nation.

Tinubu also commended the contractors for their quality work, professionalism, and commitment to excellence, stating they had delivered a road built to last and serve future generations.

 In his remarks, FCT Minister, NyesomWike thanked Tinubu for placing emphasis on improvement of infrastructure in the city and in the satellite town since he came to office on May 29, 2023.

“Your Excellency, we are very happy. So, we have done, if you calculate all, and the ongoing roads, and the ones completed, within the satellite towns, you’ve done not less than 150 kilometers of roads.

“I try to say this, so people will not think every time we are in the city, what is happening in the rural areas? You have been able to open most of the roads. If you came here before, you would have wondered, assuming there is crime, how will police enter here? How will security men enter here? It will not be possible.

“And look at the vast area of land. We are talking about food security, food security. With this, those of you who want to be farmers, real farmers, we are willing to pay compensation to communities and give you farmland, so that we will come out of the food problem, which the federal government is trying to solve.

“But real farmers, not political farmers, who will keep the land as speculators. And then, when they know that much development has come, they start going to sell the land,” Wike said.