President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that citizens are not disadvantaged by government development projects, declaring that communities that make sacrifices for national progress must receive adequate support and compensation.
The President made the statement on Thursday during the commissioning of an access road linking Clinton Drive to Tunganmadaki settlement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a project designed to serve communities affected by the construction of the second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu said the road project fulfilled a promise made to residents who surrendered their ancestral lands to enable the airport expansion.
According to him, while the affected communities made significant sacrifices in the national interest, they were left for years without essential infrastructure and access roads.
“When it became necessary to construct the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the original inhabitants of this area surrendered their ancestral lands. They sacrificed for the collective good of the nation,” Tinubu said.
He noted that despite giving up their land to facilitate a major national project, the communities lacked motorable roads and remained isolated for years.
“No citizen should be made a victim of national development,” the President stressed.
Tinubu revealed that after the issue was brought to his attention by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, he directed that the concerns of the affected residents be fully addressed.
“My directive was clear and unequivocal: whatever the communities ask for to make their lives whole, give it to them. We do not just take; we build, we replace and we elevate. Today, we have fulfilled that solemn promise,” he said.
The President also appealed for continued support from Nigerians, acknowledging the economic challenges facing the country while defending the reforms introduced by his administration.
He maintained that the difficult decisions taken over the past three years were necessary to secure a stronger future for the nation.
“The reforms we embarked on were never going to be easy. We made hard choices, but they were necessary choices. Hard choices today mean a stronger Nigeria tomorrow,” he stated.
Tinubu assured citizens that his administration would continue to pursue policies aimed at improving living standards and delivering lasting development.
“I know the cost of living is biting, but I assure you this government means well for all Nigerians. We are not building for headlines; we are building for generations to come,” he added.
Speaking at the event, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike commended the Tunganmadaki community for its cooperation during the land acquisition process for the airport runway project.
Wike disclosed that rather than demanding monetary compensation, community leaders requested employment opportunities for residents and the construction of access roads to improve connectivity.
He said the government’s response had restored the community’s faith in public institutions.
“Other communities should learn from Tunganmadaki. Instead of asking for money, they asked for jobs and roads for their people. This community had lost hope, but with the Renewed Hope Agenda, confidence in government has returned,” Wike said.
