President Bola Tinubu has warned contractors working on federal capital territory projects that his administration rewards performance, not connections. Speaking on Thursday during the commissioning of the rehabilitated Old Keffi Road, Tinubu made clear that those who deliver results will secure additional contracts while underperformers face removal from FCT projects.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio represented the president at the event, which marked Tinubu's third year in office. The 16-kilometre road stretches from Kado Fish Market through Life Camp to Deidei Junction along the outer Northern expressway.
Tinubu praised the contractor's work, noting that the strong turnout of residents showed public confidence in his administration. "I'm happy to witness the restoration of dignity to the daily lives of this area," he said.
The president stressed that the completed road represents tangible progress, not mere promises. "This is not a promise on paper, it's asphalt that you can drive on, life that you can trust after dark and drainage that would safe both homes and market," he stated.
Tinubu reiterated his merit-based approach to awarding contracts. "Under this government, we do not reward patronage, we reward competence, if you deliver you get more work and if you fail you are out of the FCT," he said.
He also praised the FCT minister's no-nonsense stance. "The minister is not even a minister that would waste time, he will tell you straight that I can't work with you, you can't drag me backward; forward ever and backward never," the president added.
Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the project's impact on the local community. "It gives me great joy to witness what I'm seeing here today, this is what happens when the governors have trust in the government," he remarked.
The president observed that the road's completion had revitalised business activity in the area. "This is what happens when the government delivers, I have already gone through parts of the road and I have seen the amount of businesses almost all construction material are sold here, today you have improved their business and I tell you something that prosperity have returned to this area," he noted.
