President Bola Tinubu yesterday said his administration would no longer award contracts based on political patronage, declaring that competence, performance and timely project delivery would determine who gets government jobs.
He spoke at the commissioning of the rehabilitated 16-kilometre Old Keffi Road linking Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi and Dei-Dei to the Outer Northern Expressway in Abuja.
Tinubu, who was represented by the
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said contractors that deliver quality projects would receive more work, while those who fail would be dropped.
‘This government will not reward patronage; we will reward competence. If you deliver, you get more work. If you fail, you are out. That is the standard we have set under the Renewed Hope Agenda,’ he said.
The President said the era of awarding public contracts without accountability was over, adding that Nigerians should judge leaders by visible projects rather than political promises.
He said the commissioning of infrastructure across the country demonstrated that his administration was fulfilling its campaign promises and ending the era of abandoned projects.
Tinubu commended Lubrik Construction Company Limited for delivering the Old Keffi Road project on schedule and to specification.
He also praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for extending infrastructure development beyond Abuja city centre to satellite towns and Area Councils.
According to him, the rehabilitated road will reduce travel time, lower transportation costs, improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities across Nyanya, Karu, Jikwoyi, Karshi and Dei-Dei.
He added that the ‘Light Up Abuja’ initiative would enhance security and support nighttime businesses.
The President urged residents to protect public infrastructure by preventing vandalism and keeping drainage channels free of refuse.
He assured residents that infrastructure development would continue across the FCT and that no community would be neglected.
Tinubu also directed the immediate construction of the Audna-Kaba-Kagini Road after residents displayed a banner drawing attention to its poor condition during the event.
Announcing the directive, Wike said the President acted immediately after learning about the community’s plight.
He disclosed that he had instructed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to direct Lubrik Construction Company to mobilise to the site without delay.
According to Wike, the President’s directive reflected the Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to improving infrastructure and restoring public confidence in government.
The minister recalled that the newly commissioned Old Keffi Road and Dei-Dei Market Road were among projects requested by residents shortly after he assumed office.
He said the administration first completed the Saburi Road before embarking on the Dei-Dei Market Road and Old Keffi Road because of their importance to residents, farmers and traders.
Wike also recalled that during the Area Council election campaign, traders told him to inform President Tinubu that completing the road would reassure them that the government was committed to improving their livelihoods.