President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on residents and business owners in the Federal Capital Territory to fulfil their civic duties by paying taxes, land charges and ground rents, warning that sustained infrastructure development in Abuja depends on citizens doing their part. 

The presidential appeal came on Wednesday during the commissioning of the completed Dape District section of Arterial Road N5, also known as Obafemi Awolowo Way, stretching from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III a project delivered as part of celebrations marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration.

Represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President framed infrastructure development as a two-way partnership between government and citizens, stressing that revenue from taxes and ground rents is the lifeblood of the FCT Administration’s ability to execute projects.

“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.

The newly commissioned N5 corridor was described by the President as a critical economic artery for the nation’s capital. He noted that the completed road would significantly reduce commute times while providing seamless connectivity among the Dape, Karmo, Gwarinpa I, Kado, Idu and Mbora districts. Beyond easing traffic, Tinubu highlighted the road’s strategic importance as a direct gateway to the Idu Industrial District, which he said would lower logistics costs, draw fresh investment and create employment opportunities for Abuja residents.

The President stressed that the road project was conceived, funded and delivered entirely under his administration. It was flagged off in October 2024, awarded to construction giant Julius Berger Plc with a strict 15-month completion timeline, and has now been delivered on schedule. Tinubu drew a sharp contrast with Nigeria’s troubled history of abandoned and perpetually delayed infrastructure. “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,” he said.

He also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and residents across the FCT to protect public infrastructure from acts of vandalism and to take responsibility for the maintenance of drainage systems and street lighting in their communities.

FCT Minister, Wike, who spoke earlier at the event, said the commissioning marked the second day of a sweeping 31-day programme of project inaugurations lined up to celebrate the administration’s third anniversary.

He noted the remarkable expansion in scale from one year to the next nine days of project commissioning in the first year, 19 in the second, and now 31 in the third. Among the landmark projects being commissioned this month are the Outer Southern Expressway main carriageways, the dualized Highway 105 connecting the Airport Expressway to Kuje, a new Court of Appeal Complex in Dakibiyu, water supply infrastructure for Karu and Bwari, and the remodelled Abuja City Gate, among others.

Tinubu used the occasion to lavish praise on Wike for what he called a rare alignment of political will and accountability in the FCT. “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,” the President said.

The administration’s push to broaden Abuja’s infrastructure footprint comes as the FCT also marks its 50th anniversary this year. For residents and property owners in the capital, however, Wednesday’s presidential message was clear: the government is delivering on its end of the bargain, and it is now time for citizens to fulfil theirs.