FCT Minister says President Bola Tinubu’s administration has delivered more infrastructure projects in three years than previous leaders achieved over longer periods

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Senate President David Mark over his record on infrastructure development, arguing that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered significantly more road projects within three years than were achieved during Mark’s years in national leadership.

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Wike made the remarks on Thursday during the commissioning of the Interchange at the Arterial Road N16–Ring Road II Junction linking the Jahi and Gwarimpa districts of Abuja.

The event was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who represented President Tinubu at the ceremony.

The minister’s comments came against the backdrop of recent criticisms of the Federal Government by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party with which David Mark has recently been associated.

Despite the criticism, Wike noted that the ADC had acknowledged the Tinubu administration’s achievements in road infrastructure.

“African Democratic Congress has conceded that in terms of road infrastructure, Mr President has done very, very well. Without roads, you cannot go to hospital, you cannot go to school, and you cannot go to farm. Roads are the bedrock of development in any society,” Wike said.

Turning directly to Mark, whom he identified as chairman of a faction of the ADC, the minister questioned the former Senate President’s contribution to infrastructure development, particularly during his eight years as head of the upper legislative chamber.

Wike cited the long-standing challenges surrounding the Akwanga-Makurdi road, arguing that the route remained in poor condition despite being awarded during Mark’s period of influence in government.

“The poor people could not afford to travel to Makurdi because there was no road. But David Mark, as Senate President then, was flying helicopters.

“Today, because of the intervention of this administration, people can drive freely to Makurdi and Otukpo. The same David Mark, who once relied on helicopters, can now travel by road too,” he said.

The minister used the occasion to defend the Tinubu administration’s approach to governance, particularly its policy of completing projects initiated by previous governments rather than abandoning them.

According to Wike, continuity in governance remains critical to sustainable development and efficient use of public resources.

“One of the problems of development in Nigeria is that new administrations often abandon projects initiated by their predecessors. But President Tinubu has shown that the government is a continuum. What matters is completing projects for the benefit of the people, regardless of who awarded them,” he stated.

As an example, Wike explained that the Jahi-Gwarimpa interchange project had been awarded before the current administration took office but had not received mobilisation funds or recorded meaningful progress until the present government intervened.

He said many residents had doubted the project would ever be completed, making its delivery a significant achievement for the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

As a secondary highlight, the minister rejected claims that the administration’s development strategy focuses exclusively on road construction.

He pointed to ongoing investments in water infrastructure across satellite towns in the FCT as evidence of a broader development agenda.

Wike recalled the recent commissioning of a water supply project in Karu and announced that another major water infrastructure project in Bwari would be inaugurated on July 14.

“It is not correct to say we are only doing roads. In Karu, we commissioned water supply infrastructure, and by July 14 we will commission another major water project in Bwari. These are projects designed to improve the lives of ordinary people,” he said.

The minister challenged critics to identify comparable investments in satellite communities under previous administrations, insisting that the Renewed Hope Agenda is producing visible and measurable improvements across the territory.

Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has overseen an ambitious infrastructure programme across the Federal Capital Territory, including road construction, rehabilitation projects, water supply schemes and urban renewal initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and quality of life for residents.

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The latest commissioning adds to a growing list of completed projects as the administration seeks to accelerate development and expand access to critical infrastructure throughout Abuja and its surrounding communities.