• Demand more facilities in rural communities

‎By Teddy Nwanunobi and Olawumi Oyehan

‎‎Few weeks  to the third anniversary of his appointment as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), residents of the FCT have spoken with one accord as they praise Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, for his dogged determination to change the face of Nigeria’s capital.

‎‎Daily NewsCraft reports that Wike was appointed and officially sworn in as the FCT Minister on August 21, 2023. He assumed office shortly after his inauguration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

‎Since assuming office as the FCT Minister, Wike has demonstrated a rare blend of courage, decisiveness, and administrative competence that has redefined governance in Abuja. Almost three years down the line, Wike has not only proved pessimists wrong, he has risen to be one of the foremost avante – garde of the Tinubu government, based on his sterling performance and unalloyed loyalty to both Tinubu and the nation.

‎‎Daily NewsCraft sampled the opinions of some residents of the FCT on Wike’s performance as the FCT Minister.

‎‎Barr Thomas Idakwoju said that Wike’s achievements as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have strengthened the perception that he is a reformer.

‎‎”Wike’s one of the best things about President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Critics may debate policies, but even many political observers will agree that the energy, discipline, and speed of implementation under Wike have brought a new level of seriousness to the administration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

‎‎”Today, Abuja’s witnessing visible transformation: roads are being completed, long-standing administrative bottlenecks are being removed, and governance has taken on a more purposeful direction. These achievements have strengthened the perception that the man’s not just another FCT Minister, but a reformer who’s determined to leave a lasting legacy,” Idakwoju submitted.

‎‎Kingsley Edobor, a civil servant who lives in Jikwoyi, said that Wike is FCT’s second best.

‎‎”It’s very unfortunate that people don’t like the way he talks and behaves as a public servant. But the truth remains that after Mallam Nasir El ‘Rufai, Wike follows. El’Rufai is the best. Wike is considered second to the best, as far as the FCT is concerned,” Edobor said.

‎‎A seamstress at Karu, Mrs Rita Ugwu, wished him well in his assignment.

‎‎”He is doing very well. Look at our roads now. And he is even working to give us water.

‎‎”This is a case of when leadership is decisive and result-oriented, progress becomes visible to all. Abuja is indeed witnessing a new era of governance. I wish him more strength to continue the good work,” she said.

‎‎Engr Ephraim Asowata said that the FCT residents should be proud to have him as the FCT Minister.

‎‎”Honestly, he has done very well for the residents of the Federal Capital Territory. We will continue to support him and the President.

‎‎”We are really proud of what he is doing in the FCT. May God keep him so that we can witness more of his achievements,” he said.

‎‎A roadside trader at Jikwoyi Junction, Mrs Regina Sankwai, said that residents should accept to make some sacrifices to assist the Minister.

‎‎”It was very difficult for us who don’t have the money for shops. But I understand that he wants to give us water and make our roads better… that is why they are chasing us away from where we are selling. I think we should be ready to make sacrifices so that we can have good roads and water in our houses,” she said.

‎‎Jude Aduku added that, “Wike is the most impactful minister the FCT has ever had. This is a fact. So far, this man is the most influential Minister of FCT.”

‎‎A civil servant, Gbenga Obasi, who lives in Kuje Area Council, was full of praise for Wike, for giving Kuje a face-lift. He recalled the unending holdups at Kuje Town, especially due to the narrow road and deadly potholes that have claimed so many lives in the past.

‎‎He particularly recalled an incident where a motorcycle rider and passenger fell, because they suddenly entered into one of the deadly potholes close to the Kuje Police Station, and the truck at their back ran over the rider, and he died on the spot.

‎‎”But now, Kuje is a beautiful town on its own. Have you seen the traffic lights in the night? They’re very beautiful. The FCT Minister has tried for us,” he said.

‎‎Isaac Aderibigbe, who stays at Pegi, Kuje, commended Wike for shortening the travelling time now from Kuje to Central Business District (CBD).

‎‎He said the kind of infrastructure development, going on in the satellite towns in the six area councils is unprecedented.

‎‎”A trip that normally takes about 1 hour 30 minutes now takes around 35 minutes, with the good road. But we will like to appeal to the Minister to help Pegi residents with their road, that has become worse during this raining season. Wike is our man,” Isaac said.

‎‎The FCT Minister recently disclosed that the FCT Administration would embark on a 31-day program