The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said it is unrealistic to expect his administration to transform every sector in the FCT within just two years.
Wike made the statement during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, where he addressed concerns around infrastructural gaps, education, healthcare, and transport, urging Nigerians to adopt a more measured understanding of government timelines and priorities.
“I’ll take, for example, I’m talking about the qualities in this country that are so bad.
” Every inner school that wants to provide access to education, we don’t want to talk about the quality of education.
” Everybody wants the university to be in his community. Nobody has asked, these two universities you are providing, what’s the quality?
“All you are interested in is let there be universities everywhere, but no quality,” he said.
The minister explained that while citizens desire the visible presence of infrastructure in their communities, there is little focus on the standard or sustainability of such facilities.
“I would prefer that I have three universities, for example, and then you can talk about the quality of those universities or schools,” he added.
Wike also referenced the ongoing rehabilitation of general hospitals across the FCT. He said it would be impossible to provide fully equipped hospitals in all districts within a two-year period.
“I don’t know why anybody should think that within two years in office, you’re going to have a general hospital in all the other houses. That’s just not possible,’ he said.
On the FCT’s transport system, Wike admitted it was “chaotic,” but insisted that efforts were ongoing to bring order.
“You talk about the transport system, it is chaotic. We’re trying to see what we can do to put it in order, which we have started,” he noted, adding that it was unfair to assume everything could be fixed immediately.
Wike honestly admitted, “This is just two years in office. It is not possible for you to turn around all the sectors. It is not possible.
” But that does not mean any sector should be neglected. And we’re not neglected.”
According to the minister, effective governance must have a roadmap with a clear plan for tackling issues sector by sector.
“A government must be forward and targeted. From this period to this period, this is what we’re going to do in this area.
“From this period to the next period, this is what we’re going to do in this area. That’s how government is supposed to work,” he explained.
When asked why his mandate secretaries are rarely seen engaging the public or addressing concerns directly, Wike pushed back, saying it was not the media’s place to dictate his communication approach.
“So they’re not satisfied with what I’m briefing them? No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You have your own time to go to them and ask them questions.
“You will not advise us how, in terms of public appearance, in terms of interviews,” Wike replied.
The minister also stressed that he maintains a tight supervisory role over his secretaries and project approvals.
“Oh, I tell you, this is very unfair. If you ask me whether my office supervises the mandate secretary, that would be very much unfair.
“You know me very well. I sit and I approve funds for you to utilise. And then you’re asking me if I supervise?
“Do I look like somebody who will sit in the office? I mean, that would be very unfair for you to say,” he said.
On education, Wike disclosed plans to start inaugurating completed and rehabilitated school projects across the territory, so the people can be aware of these strides, noting that the FCT was making progress in upgrading educational infrastructure.
Wike, however, explained that he does not do elaborate ceremonies for school projects because it’s not necessary, unlike roads and other projects.
