FCT Getting Better Under Wike 50 Years After Creation – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has witnessed noticeable progress under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, describing the transformation as a major development 50 years after Abuja was established.

The President made the remarks on Friday in Abuja during a special appreciation dinner organised to celebrate the inauguration of 31 projects completed across the FCT within 28 days.

Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu praised Wike and members of the FCT Administration for their efforts in improving the nation’s capital. He said the projects reflected an administration focused on delivering results rather than making promises.

According to the President, the FCT belongs to every Nigerian and remains a place where people from different backgrounds come together in unity. He said every completed road, bridge and public project improves connectivity, creates opportunities and shows that government can still deliver when there is commitment and clear direction.

Former FCT Minister and Special Adviser to the President on General Duties in the Office of the Vice President, Aliyu Modibbo, also commended Wike’s performance. Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event, Modibbo said Wike ranks among the best ministers to have served in the FCT.

He expressed confidence that Wike would continue in the position if Tinubu secures a second term, adding that four years would not be enough to complete the projects already underway.

Speaking at the dinner, Wike recalled that when he assumed office in August 2023, many civil servants in the FCT lacked motivation and morale.

He said he worked alongside the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, to improve workers’ welfare by establishing the FCT Civil Service Commission. According to him, the commission created opportunities for civil servants to rise to the positions of Permanent Secretary and Head of Service.

Wike explained that the approval granted by President Tinubu was aimed at boosting workers’ morale and encouraging better service delivery across the territory.

He said the renewed commitment of civil servants contributed to the delivery of projects, with nine projects inaugurated during Tinubu’s first year in office, 19 in the second year and 31 in the third year.

The minister also credited the removal of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) for improving access to funding. He explained that the decision enabled the administration to obtain financing from commercial banks for infrastructure development.

Wike praised contractors for delivering projects on schedule and maintaining quality standards, assuring them that the administration would continue to work closely with them to improve living conditions for residents.

He noted that many of the completed projects were inherited from previous administrations, stating that about 70 per cent had been abandoned before work resumed on them. He added that the only project yet to be completed is the Inner Southern Expressway (OSEX).

The minister also assured President Tinubu of strong political backing from Rivers State, saying his Rainbow Coalition would remain a dominant political force in the state.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, also commended Wike’s performance. He said the minister had transformed Abuja through numerous infrastructure projects, describing the changes across the capital as remarkable.

On behalf of the contractors, Julius Berger Managing Director, Dr Peer Lubasch, said the company had witnessed more project commissioning ceremonies in recent weeks than it had in several previous years.

Lubasch commended President Tinubu for sustaining investment in infrastructure and economic development. He also praised Wike’s leadership, saying the administration’s planning and commitment were helping to position Abuja as one of Africa’s leading purpose-built capitals.

He added that Julius Berger was proud to have contributed to the development of Abuja from its early years to its current stage of growth.