15km Karu road project improves traffic flow, business activities, street lighting and drainage, while creating jobs for members of the host communities.
Residents, motorists and business owners along the Karu corridor of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed relief following the completion of a major road project, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former FCT Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for their roles in bringing the long-awaited intervention to the area.
The approximately 15-kilometre project, executed by indigenous contractor Abdul-Val Nigeria Limited, stretches from the Karu Interchange along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway to Customs Clinic Junction and includes several feeder roads within the Karu axis.
The project covers key roads including DSS Road, NIA Road, EFCC Road, Primus Hospital Road and Old CBN Quarters Road.
For years, residents and commuters in the area had faced severe traffic congestion, poor drainage and flooding, particularly during the rainy season.
However, the completion of the project has significantly changed the situation, with residents reporting improved movement, better business conditions, enhanced drainage and improved street lighting.
The project also followed sustained advocacy by stakeholders, including Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda.
In August 2025, during the flag-off of the Lot 2 Water Project in the Jikwoyi-Karu axis, Minister Nyesom Wike publicly acknowledged a request made by Aduda for intervention on a long-abandoned road in Karu Site.
“Now, Aduda, the road where you said is about 2km, what is the name of that road? Karu Site? Consider it done,” Wike said at the event.
At the subsequent flag-off of the Karu road reconstruction, Wike also acknowledged Aduda’s intervention in the inclusion of additional feeder roads in the project, alongside the advocacy of AMAC Chairman Christopher Maikalangu.
Residents who spoke about the completed project said the impact was already being felt across the community.
A shop owner, Mrs. Chinyere Obasi, said the improved road and installation of streetlights had positively affected businesses in the area.
“Before, the road wasn’t all that good. And there was nothing like the street lights. But now, as you can see, the road is okay. And our businesses, by the grace of God, is even better than before,” she said.
Obasi expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the FCT Minister and the contractor, praying that they would continue with similar development projects.
A teacher, Anita Ogunwunmi, also described the project as a major relief for commuters who previously spent considerable time navigating traffic.
“Before, the congestion on the road was so bad. When rain falls like this, we can’t pass here, but now, everywhere is free. It’s better. We are happy,” she said.
According to Ogunwunmi, the improved road has changed her daily routine because she can now leave home later without worrying about being trapped in traffic.
“The route is faster. Before, I used to leave very early to come to work, but now I can leave much later. There’s no hold-up, there’s no traffic. It’s free. The road is free, it’s better,” she added.
Another resident and motorist, Engr. Johnpaul Adamu, recalled the difficult conditions motorists faced before the intervention.
“Well, this road has been a major challenge in Karu. If you can remember, 12 months ago, this place was not like this,” Adamu said.
He noted that flooding, poor drainage and traffic congestion had previously made movement difficult, describing the transformation as remarkable.
“Now, wow, this is, let me say, this is city now. We are happy. The infrastructure is working, there’s streetlights. If you come here by 12 midnight, you’ll think this is afternoon. We thank God for everything,” he said.
Adamu also praised the FCT administration for its infrastructure development, saying the transformation had made a visible difference in the territory.
Meanwhile, the Project Manager of Abdul-Val Nigeria Limited, Hacı Cengiz, said the completion of the project demonstrated the capacity of indigenous contractors to execute major infrastructure projects.
“We are not a foreign company, but thank God we are doing well, and the minister is supporting indigenous companies very well. Thank you, Minister,” he said.
Cengiz disclosed that the Karu project was the company’s second major project to be completed, following its work on the Ushafa road project.
According to him, Abdul-Val completed the 18-month Ushafa project in seven months, while the Karu project was also delivered in full.
“About 15 kilometres in Karu also, dualisation of the road. And 100 per cent we completed. That is why the minister, Mr Wike, commissioned the project,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure, Cengiz said the project had created employment opportunities for residents of the host communities.
“Up till now, about 259 workers are working. Especially, the majority are from the community. Where we are working, we are employing from the community,” he said.
He explained that the economic benefits extended beyond direct employment, as workers also patronised businesses within the communities where the project was executed.
Cengiz further stressed the importance of supporting indigenous contractors, noting that their continued presence in Nigeria would help retain technical expertise, experience, data and equipment within the country.
“Foreign companies, when they come and do the work, later on after two, four, five years, they go. But indigenous company, and the experience, knowledge, data, everything stay in here,” he said.
For residents and commuters, the completed Karu road project represents a major change in one of the busiest gateways into Abuja.
The intervention has brought improved road access, drainage, street lighting and traffic flow, while also supporting business activities and creating employment opportunities within the host communities.
The development also highlights the impact of sustained engagement between community stakeholders and government, with the intervention following appeals and advocacy by leaders including Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda and AMAC Chairman Christopher Maikalangu, alongside the commitment of the FCT Administration under Wike and the broader infrastructure agenda of the Tinubu administration.
