FCT Projects Will Be Tinubu’s ‘Christmas Gift’ To Residents–Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that contractors handling major road projects across the territory will meet their December completion deadlines, saying the projects will form part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Christmas gift” to residents.

Wike stated this after inspecting ongoing projects at N1, Tunga Madaki–Zuba and Kagini, where he commended the contractors for maintaining what he described as strong commitment to the delivery schedule.

The minister said he was particularly impressed by the progress of work and the commitment demonstrated by the contractors despite the disruption caused by the rainy season.

“I am very impressed with the jobs I’ve seen so far. And I am most impressed with the commitment of the contractors. They have always said that, by the grace of God, they will meet up the schedule, which is December,” Wike said.

He recalled that the FCT Administration had promised residents that the projects would be delivered before the end of the year, describing their completion as a Christmas gift from the Tinubu administration.

“We have promised the residents that this will be their Christmas gift by Mr. President, and this will be part of their Christmas gift, so that they go back home, enjoy their Christmas holiday,” he said.

Wike said the projects would also have an economic impact on communities along the affected corridors, noting that improved infrastructure would make residents happier and stimulate economic activities.

“As you can see, you can imagine the happiness of those who stay here. You can know that economically, things will change,” he said.

According to the minister, the visible impact of infrastructure projects in rural communities underscores the importance of government delivering projects that directly affect residents.

“When they are happy, of course, that’s the essence of governance. Governance, when the people are happy, then you will be happy. So I’m happy with what I’ve seen,” he added.

Wike admitted that the rains had slowed construction activities but said he was now convinced that the contractors would make up for lost time once the weather improves.

“I was having a doubt, but the contractors are fully committed. But for the rains, I know they would have gone far,” he said.

He expressed optimism that construction work would accelerate from the first week of October.

“I believe that from the first week of October, the rains will not be much again, and you will see how all of them will go with standard work,” the minister said.

Wike said the experience of the contractors was another reason for his confidence in their ability to deliver.

“These are contractors that worked for us before, so we know their capacity, and I know that they will achieve,” he said.

The minister also defended the use of loans to finance infrastructure projects, insisting that borrowing by government requires the approval of the National Assembly and must be reflected in the budget.

Wike was responding to criticism over the FCT Administration’s borrowing, arguing that the critical issue should be how borrowed funds are utilised.

“I thought she would criticise that I’m doing nothing. I thought she would criticise that I’m doing nothing. So if my problem is that I took a loan, if I took a loan, I’m using it to work,” he said.

He maintained that critics should be more concerned about whether the funds were being used for infrastructure and in the interest of residents.

“Her concern would have been: Are we applying the loan to work for the interest of residents?” Wike said.

He also argued that major infrastructure development required adequate financing, insisting that borrowing itself should not be the focus of criticism where the funds are being deployed to projects.

The FCT minister also defended the use of project inspections to showcase the achievements of the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wike said the lifting of the campaign restriction for presidential and National Assembly elections meant that political actors could now openly campaign, while the projects being executed provided tangible evidence of government activities.

“How is another time to campaign? This is the total everywhere. Look at what we are doing. That’s the campaign,” he said.

He said residents could see the roads and other infrastructure being delivered under the Tinubu administration and assess the government based on what was physically on ground.

“As I finish now, I talk to the speech. Then she know what we are doing, and they are seeing every road, and tell everyone that this is what President Tinubu is doing,” Wike said.

According to him, the infrastructure projects constitute a visible representation of the administration’s activities.

“Look at it, see, that’s what I say, it speaks for itself,” he said.

Wike added that his official inspection of projects and political mobilisation for Tinubu could take place simultaneously.

“While we are doing an inspection of the project, we are also doing a campaign,” he said.