The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, said the 2027 election campaigns will not distract his administration from delivering ongoing projects, adding that the federal government’s greatest campaign strategy remained its performance.
“We are already campaigning with our performance. The major campaign is to provide the dividends of democracy. What are you going to tell the people when you have nothing to show? Our campaign is showing what we have done,” Mr Wike said.
The minister, who vowed not to allow governance take a back seat to politics, stated that the FCT’s transformation was Mr Tinubu administration’s strongest campaign message.
Mr Wike stated, “All we have to do is go back to the people and tell them we made promises and kept them. People want to see your report card, not empty rhetoric. As far as the FCT is concerned, we have shown our report card, and we have no problem winning any election whenever INEC fixes it.”
Mr Wike spoke while inspecting the construction of the Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, linking Jahi with Gwarimpa and Karsana, being executed by CBC Global, and the 7.3-kilometre Tunga Madaki-Zuba Road connecting the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The minister, who expressed satisfaction with the pace of the work, said the contractor assured the FCT administration that the project would be completed by January.
“The road is very critical. If they deliver it by January as promised, I will be highly impressed. On our part, we will ensure adequate funding because once this road is completed, the entire Gwarimpa axis will be opened up,” the minister stated.
Mr Wike commended the construction company handling the Tunga Madaki-Zuba Road for maintaining its reputation for timely project delivery, adding that the road would be completed by December.
“I’m very impressed with what they are doing. The promises we made during the flag-off and commissioning of these projects are likely to be fulfilled. Despite the rains slowing earthworks, they have concentrated on drainage construction, which is progressing well,” he said.
The minister noted that he approved the relocation of electricity poles along the route to facilitate the installation of streetlights.
He commended the Chinese construction firms handling the FCT projects for often starting work without waiting for mobilisation payments, because of the trust that the government would fulfil its contractual obligations.
The FCT minister stated, “What gives us happiness with these companies, particularly the Chinese companies, is that they don’t wait for mobilisation before starting work. They know the government will pay, and funding has not been a problem. As soon as I return to the office, I will ensure that funds are made available so we can achieve what we have promised.”
He advised the contractors to sustain their partnership with the government by ensuring the timely and quality delivery of ongoing projects across the FCT.
Mr Wike’s inspection of the FCT administration projects is part of his routine monitoring to ensure the timely completion of roads and other critical infrastructure under Mr Tinubu’s administration Renewed Hope Agenda.
