The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at Senator Ireti Kingibe over her criticism of the FCT Administration, challenging her to use her position in the National Assembly to tackle problems affecting Abuja residents.
Wike spoke on Tuesday after inspecting flood-affected areas in Maitama, Abuja, where he ordered the demolition of structures built on designated water channels.
The minister said Kingibe, as a lawmaker, should focus on sponsoring legislation and raising issues affecting her constituents on the floor of the National Assembly instead of repeatedly calling for a working relationship with the FCT Administration.
“If she knows that there’s a problem, she’s the one who makes the law. National Assembly is her own House of Assembly. Why should she every time, ‘working with her, working with her, working with her’?” Wike asked.
“I was not appointed to work with only one particular person. I work with everybody.”
Wike challenged Kingibe to tell Abuja residents what she had done in the National Assembly to address flooding and other challenges confronting the Federal Capital Territory.
“Go and talk to the people! Tell them what you are doing in the National Assembly! Tell them the bill you have proposed for the benefit of the residents of Abuja,” he said.
The minister said lawmakers were expected to demonstrate their impact through legislative activities and engagement with their constituents.
‘You’ve almost lost election’
Wike further linked Kingibe’s criticism to the approaching election, claiming that the senator was trying to regain public support.
“I don’t blame her now, because she has almost lost the election. All she’s doing next is to see whether she can get the people,” he said.
He maintained that media appearances would not change the perception of Abuja residents about a politician’s performance.
“You have done nothing, and the people know you have done nothing. Even if you like, criticise. As far as this flooding is concerned, the people have made up their mind that you failed,” Wike said.
Wike denies allocating waterways to politicians
The FCT minister also dismissed allegations that the administration allocated waterways to politicians for the construction of estates.
Wike challenged anyone with evidence of such allocation to make the details public.
“I want to deny categorically that this administration allocates water channel way for people to go and develop,” he said.
“If we allocate it, then why do we have to go and demolish?”
He said critics could not determine what constituted a water channel under the Abuja Master Plan without proper knowledge of the document.
“You cannot determine which area is a water channel to FCT. You cannot determine for us! You don’t know the Master Plan more than us!” he said.
Wike challenged critics to identify the alleged beneficiaries and produce documents showing that the FCT Administration approved construction on waterways.
“Not just to go and make a blanket statement, ‘Anything now, allocated to politicians.’ Who are the politicians? Do they have no name?” he asked.
‘Flooding didn’t start today’
Wike also dismissed suggestions that flooding in Abuja started under the present administration, citing Lokogoma and Yakubu Gowon Crescent as areas that had experienced recurring flooding.
“Lokogoma flooding has been happening there year to year; it’s been happening,” he said.
He noted that Yakubu Gowon Crescent had also experienced flooding repeatedly despite being constructed by Julius Berger.
“Each time, it floods. People will shut their eyes and say that the flooding started yesterday on that road,” he said.
The minister urged critics to offer constructive criticism instead of using flooding as a political weapon.
“Please, do us well and do the nation well by giving positive criticism, not political criticism that you think will help you to win an election that you cannot win,” he said.
‘No stopping demolition’
Wike insisted that the demolition of structures obstructing waterways would continue regardless of their owners’ political affiliations.
“So, I hope now that we have started to demolish, you won’t cry to say, ‘Oh, it’s against a political opponent,’” he said.
“If you are my political opponent, did I say you should go and block the water channel? I didn’t tell you to go and block the water channel.”
He said the administration welcomed constructive contributions from residents and stakeholders capable of drawing attention to genuine problems.
“We appreciate those who have made valuable comments, positive comments. That is the essence of governance, calling attention,” Wike said.
Wike reiterated that the FCT Administration would continue to enforce development regulations and tackle flooding and other environmental challenges in Abuja without political considerations.
