By Oluchi Oseh
Since the inception of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one thing many Nigerians complain about is hunger occasioned by the removal of the petroleum subsidy, which was announced on the day of his inauguration. The subsidy removal has affected the cost of petroleum products, which unfortunately led to increased transportation costs, and indeed the astronomical rise in the cost of goods and services across the country. Although the administration has made some strides in some sectors, people seem to be blind to those achievements because the way to a man’s heart, they say it’s the stomach.
But as it is often said, behind every cloud, is a silver lining. And a golden fish has no hiding place. One man has been able to stand tall in the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has carved a niche for himself and even those who are hungry have acknowledged his positive effect. There is a consensus, even among his opponents and political enemies that this enigma is a workaholic and achiever of no mean repute. Hence, he has in nine months etched his name in gold.
He is so many things to different people. He does not run away from a fight. He is a dogged fighter. Yes, he has fought and won many political battles. In fact, he has not lost any political battle in his life. He is courageous, outspoken and adroit at conducting public business, yet generous and full of empathy. He is the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike. In Wike, there is no doubt that Daniel has truly come to judgement in the FCT, the nation’s capital city. A place that was for eight years left sedate and fallow by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration courtesy of the lame and mediocre activities of the then minister, Alhaji Mohammed Bello.
Under Minister Bello, Abuja and indeed the FCT became a village square, where darkness, filth and insecurity loom supreme. Cattle grazed freely in the city centre even up to the National Assembly complex and the vicinity of the Presidential Villa. All manner of crimes including armed robbery and kidnapping, especially “One Chance” became the order of the day. Abuja was fast transforming into a jungle until the arrival of the enfant terrible of the Tinubu administration, the man of the moment and the best-performing minister in the current administration, Barrister Nyesom Wike.
Many people began making references to the Nasiru El-Rufai administration in the FCT, which came to a close over 17 years ago. Many desired that the El-Rufai era be reenacted in the FCT. It was that bad! But the arrival of the new sheriff in town has effectively changed the mindset. A minister with the wherewithal to subsume the achievements of El-Rufai is now in the saddle.
Mr. Infrastructure, as some are wont to call Wike, has in a short time transformed the FCT into a huge construction site. He has transformed the FCT into a haven of admiration through different projects. The number of ongoing projects is phenomenal. He is flying the flag of the Renewed Hope Agenda effectively in the FCT. A quintessential round peg in a round hole, Wike is walking the talk. There is action, there are activities and the city is gradually wearing a new look and rearing to reclaim its rightful place as the capital city of the most populous black nation on earth.
It is on record that within this period, the road network in the FCT has significantly been rehabilitated. At least, 135 roads have either been completed or are undergoing rehabilitation. All the roads that were abandoned have been reopened and are been constructed or rehabilitated. For the first time, the people of Abuja are witnessing the re-asphalting of roads within the capital city. No administration has ever embarked on this exercise. The streets are now cleared and bereft of the debris and stench that had hitherto become their lot. The environmental condition of the FCT is once again upgraded.
A few months ago, inhabitants of the FCT could no longer sleep with their two eyes closed. But in about nine months, Wike has changed the trajectory as the kidnappers and One Chance operators have all taken to their heels. Those who insisted on doing illicit business in the FCT have met their Waterloo. There has been a significant improvement in the security architecture of the FCT. The rural areas of the FCT, which were virtually abandoned to their devices can now heave a sigh of relief as the Wike effect has positively impacted their lives with improved security and the provision of essential amenities and infrastructure such as water, health care facilities and opening up of rural roads, etc.
Of course, the minister is not only paying attention to the road network; he has within this period successfully rehabilitated the abandoned Abuja Light Rail otherwise known as the Abuja Metroline. The project was completed at the cost of $15 million (about N10billion) and has been commissioned by President Tinubu and Nigerians are to enjoy free rides on the train till December 2024 courtesy of Mr. President. The president has also flagged off the proposed modern bus terminal and the official residence of the Vice President.
In the last couple of weeks, the President has been busy commissioning landmark projects executed by the FCT Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike. He has commissioned Arterial Road N20, which runs from the Northern Parkway to the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX). The road has been named after the Nobel Laurette, Prof. Wole Soyinka. The President also commissioned the Southern Parkway, the S8/S9, Christian Centre to Ring Road 1. The outer Southern Express Way (OSEX) also known as the Mahammadou Issoufou Way, from the Villa Roundabout (around the popular PowerHouse junction) to Ring Road 1 junction (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway) as well as the B6 and B12 Roads were also commissioned.
Other projects commissioned by the president include the Federal Secretariat (First Phase), Wuye Interchange, Guzape Lot 2, five access roads to the Abuja train stations, etc. The street lights are also being resuscitated and sanity is gradually returning to the city. The darkness, which had been a major embarrassment to not a few Nigerians is being addressed.
Through his hard work and lobbying prowess, the president approved the exemption of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA). This is to allow for efficient use of the internally generated revenue (IGR) to stimulate the growth and development of FCT.
Under the leadership of Wike, the Presidency approved the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, which has already taken off and is functioning effectively. The staff of the FCT and its parastatals have been well motivated and energised to give their best.
It is axiomatic that Minister Nyesom Wike is driving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, using the FCT as a case study. Wike is truly using the transformative policy to reposition the FCT and he is passionate and deliberate in bequeathing good governance and profound developmental strides in the FCT. With Wike, the FCT is in safe hands and he certainly deserves a pat on the back.
*Oseh writes from Abuja
