ABUJA – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Thursday fired a salvo at former Senate President David Mark, saying President Bola Tinubu’s administration has achieved more in infrastructure development within three years than Mark did during his eight years as Senate President.
Wike spoke during the commissioning of the Interchange at Arterial Road N16–Ring Road II Junction linking Jahi and Gwarimpa districts in Abuja, where President Tinubu was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The FCT Minister also took on the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the opposition party had indirectly admitted that the Tinubu administration was performing well in road construction across the country.
“ADC has already conceded that Mr President has done very, very well in road infrastructure. Without roads, you cannot go to hospital, you cannot go to school, and you cannot go to farm. Road is the engine of development,” Wike declared.
Turning to David Mark, whom he described as chairman of a faction of the ADC, Wike questioned the former Senate President’s contribution to infrastructure development during his years in office.
According to him, the Akwanga-Makurdi road remained a nightmare for commuters while Mark occupied one of the highest political offices in the country.
“The poor people could not afford to travel because there was no road. But the Senate President then was flying helicopters. How many poor people have helicopters?” Wike asked.
“Today, because of this administration, people can drive freely to Makurdi and Otukpo. Those who used helicopters before can now travel comfortably by road.”
The minister said one of the major problems slowing development in Nigeria was the tendency of new governments to abandon projects initiated by their predecessors.
He, however, praised President Tinubu for demonstrating leadership by completing inherited projects rather than discarding them.
Wike revealed that the Jahi-Gwarimpa Interchange was awarded before the current administration came into office but received no mobilisation until the Tinubu government revived and completed it.
“Government is a continuum. It does not matter who awarded the project. What matters is completing it for the benefit of the people,” he said.
The minister noted that many residents of the area never believed the project would be completed, describing its commissioning as another milestone in the ongoing transformation of Abuja.
He also dismissed claims that the administration was focusing only on road construction, citing ongoing investments in water supply projects across satellite towns.
Wike recalled the recent commissioning of the Karu water project and announced that another major water scheme in Bwari would be inaugurated on July 14.
“It is not correct to say we are only doing roads. We have provided water in Karu and by July 14 we will commission water supply in Bwari. These are projects aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
The FCT Minister challenged critics to point to similar investments in satellite communities under previous administrations, insisting that the Renewed Hope Agenda was delivering real dividends to residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
He assured residents that more projects would be delivered as the administration remained committed to opening up communities, boosting economic activities and improving the quality of life of the people.
