After years of isolation and underdevelopment, residents of Pai community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) now have a reason to celebrate. On Monday, July 23, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially commissioned a 15-kilometer access road connecting the community to the Abuja-Lokoja Expressway (A2)—a move widely welcomed by locals as a major step towards inclusion and opportunity.
For the people of Pai, the newly completed road is more than just tarmac and asphalt. It is a lifeline—linking farmers to markets, children to schools, and families to hospitals. It is also symbolic of something long overdue: government presence in neglected areas.
President Tinubu, addressing a visibly excited crowd at the commissioning, acknowledged the pain of neglect many rural communities have faced and pledged that his administration would continue to open up such areas for development.
“This is not just a road; it’s a road to prosperity,” he said. “We are determined to turn rural isolation into rural integration. I saw the land, the people, the potential—and I know we can make this community thrive.”
The President said the road would serve as a launchpad for agricultural development, especially for livestock and crop production. He noted that areas once plagued by underdevelopment and conflict could now become hubs of economic activity and peace.
FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, who accompanied the President, reflected on the overwhelming joy expressed by the Pai community. He said their response confirmed that governance must go beyond city centers to touch the lives of those in remote communities.
“The smiles on the faces of these residents tell the full story,” Wike said. “We are not just building roads—we are building hope, confidence in government, and a sense of belonging.”
Since the start of President Tinubu’s administration, the FCT has seen the construction of over 150 kilometers of roads across satellite towns and rural councils. In Kwali alone, the A2 to Pai road connects to another ongoing project—the 15km Pai-Gomani road, which will soon be followed by a 13km link from Gomani to Yangoji, forming a 45km network in the region.
The newly commissioned road was constructed by Zeberced Construction Ltd and features street lighting and drainage. Its completion has already begun to stimulate business activities and ease transportation of goods and people.
For many residents, the project marks a turning point.
“We used to spend hours trekking through difficult paths to get to the expressway,” said Hauwa Sulaiman, a trader in Pai. “Now, I can take my goods to market in under 30 minutes. I never thought I would see this day.”
Community leader, HRH Alhaji Sani Abubakar, the Sarkin Pai, offered his heartfelt appreciation to the President and the FCT Minister, saying the road had restored dignity and hope to his people. “This turnout today shows we have not been forgotten. Thank you for remembering us,” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Zeberced Construction Ltd, Mr. Adil Aiden Kurt, praised the government for providing the opportunity and affirmed the company’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure in Nigeria. “This was our first project in the country, and we delivered on time because we believe in Nigeria,” he said.
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, in her closing remarks, highlighted how the road embodies the administration’s vision of equitable development. “This is what inclusive governance looks like—where even the most remote communities feel seen and supported,” she said.
From dusty paths to smooth highways, Pai community’s story is one of transformation—proof that with the right political will, every Nigerian, no matter how far from the capital, can feel the pulse of national progress.
