The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said residents of Abuja are experiencing the impact of governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the first time in the history of the nation’s capital.
Wike made the declaration on Wednesday during the inauguration of newly completed roads in Gaduwa District as part of activities marking President Tinubu’s third year in office. He also assured residents that more development projects would be delivered across the FCT before the end of the administration.
According to the minister, the Tinubu administration has ensured that development is spread across every part of the FCT, unlike in previous years when some districts were left without major government projects.
He recalled that shortly after he and the Minister of State for the FCT assumed office in August 2023, President Tinubu directed that no district in the territory should be neglected.
Wike said the administration has remained faithful to that directive by taking infrastructure projects to both the city centre and satellite communities.
“Your Excellency, you will recollect that in August when you appointed the Minister of State and myself as Minister of the FCT, you did say that every district of the FCT must have the attention of the government and that no district must be left without feeling the impact of government,” Wike said.
He pointed to the commissioning of the Gomani-Dafa-Yangoji road in Kwali Area Council on Tuesday as an example of the administration’s efforts to improve infrastructure outside the city centre.
The minister said the President’s visit to Gaduwa for another road inauguration further showed the government’s determination to extend development across the territory.
He listed Jahi, Gwarimpa and Katampe among districts where major infrastructure projects have either been completed or are ongoing.
According to him, almost every district in the FCT can now point to one government project or another executed under the current administration.
“Yesterday, by the grace of God, you were in Kwali to commission the Gomani-Dafa-Yangoji roads and today you are in Gaduwa District. We have been to Jahi, Gwarimpa, Katampe and virtually all the districts. No district will say it has not felt the impact of this administration, unlike what used to be,” he said.
Wike also attributed the pace of project delivery to the timely approval and release of funds for the FCT budget.
He praised the National Assembly for giving priority attention to the FCT budget, saying this has enabled his administration to implement the President’s directives without unnecessary delays.
According to him, the prompt passage of the budget into law and the release of funds have made it possible for contractors to execute projects on schedule.
“We have backed action by making sure that through the National Assembly, the budget of the FCT gets proper attention, passed into law, assented to and released for us to carry out the directives you have given,” he said.
The minister maintained that the current level of infrastructure development in the FCT is unprecedented.
He argued that residents can now see and directly benefit from government projects in a way that has not happened before.
“I am sure it has never been so in the history of the FCT where citizens and residents can now feel and touch the impact of governance. This is the first time,” Wike declared.
He expressed confidence that more roads, bridges and other public infrastructure would be completed before the end of President Tinubu’s tenure.
“We believe that God being on our side and with your continuous support, the FCT will see more developments during your tenure,” he added.
Since assuming office as FCT minister in August 2023, Wike has made infrastructure development one of the major priorities of the administration. Several road projects that had been abandoned or delayed for years have been revived, while new projects have also been awarded in different parts of the territory.
The FCT Administration has in recent months commissioned a number of roads, bridges and other public facilities as part of efforts to improve transportation, ease traffic congestion and support economic activities in Abuja.
Attention has also been extended to satellite towns and rural communities, where residents have long demanded better road networks and public infrastructure.
The commissioning of projects has become one of the key features of activities marking President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office, with several completed projects unveiled across different parts of the country.
The Gaduwa road project is expected to improve access within the district and reduce travel time for residents and motorists. It is also expected to support housing development and commercial activities in the growing community.
The Tinubu administration has repeatedly stated that infrastructure remains central to its Renewed Hope agenda, with investments in roads, transport, housing and public services expected to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.
With more projects already under construction across the FCT, the administration says it is determined to ensure that development reaches every district before the end of its tenure, fulfilling its promise that no part of the nation’s capital will be left behind.