President Bola Tinubu has praised the transformation taking place in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying Abuja is changing for the better under the leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The President made the remark on Friday during a thanksgiving dinner held in Abuja. The event celebrated the inauguration of 31 projects completed across the FCT within 28 days.
Tinubu praises Wike’s leadership
Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, thanked Wike and his team for their commitment to improving the nation’s capital.
He said the FCT had witnessed remarkable progress since Wike assumed office. According to the President, the changes have become more visible 50 years after the territory was created.
“Fifty years after Nigeria created the FCT, things changed, things have turned around and things are getting better.”
Tinubu also commended Wike for demonstrating that effective leadership is measured by results rather than promises.
He described Abuja as a city that belongs to every Nigerian. He added that every completed project strengthens unity, creates opportunities and improves the lives of residents.
Wike highlights reforms and completed projects
Speaking at the event, Wike recalled that he inherited a civil service with low morale when he assumed office in August 2023.
He said the administration restored workers’ confidence by establishing the FCT Civil Service Commission. According to him, the commission gives civil servants a clearer path to become permanent secretaries and Head of Service.
Wike also said Tinubu approved the commission to motivate workers and improve service delivery across the territory.
Furthermore, he disclosed that the administration inaugurated nine projects during Tinubu’s first year in office, 19 projects in the second year and 31 projects in the third year.
Minister credits reforms for infrastructure delivery
Wike attributed the achievements to key policy reforms introduced by the Federal Government.
He said removing the FCT from the Treasury Single Account enabled the administration to access funding from commercial banks for critical infrastructure projects.
The minister also commended contractors for delivering quality projects on schedule. He pledged to continue working with them to improve infrastructure across the FCT.
According to Wike, about 70 per cent of the completed projects were abandoned by previous administrations before work resumed on them.
Leaders commend FCT transformation
Former FCT Minister Aliyu Modibbo described Wike as one of the territory’s best-performing ministers. He also expressed hope that Wike would continue in the role during Tinubu’s second term.
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas praised the minister’s performance. Through House Majority Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Abbas said Abuja had witnessed unprecedented transformation under Wike’s leadership.
On behalf of contractors, Julius Berger Managing Director, Dr Peer Lubasch, also commended Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development. He praised Wike’s vision and said the projects were helping to transform Abuja into one of Africa’s leading purpose-built capitals.
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