Wike Slams David Mark, Defends Tinubu’s Infrastructure Push in FCT

Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has defended the development efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the government’s achievements in infrastructure within three years have surpassed what many previous leaders delivered during their time in office.

Wike spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the commissioning of the Interchange connecting Arterial Road N16 and Ring Road II, a project aimed at improving movement between Jahi and Gwarimpa districts. President Tinubu was represented at the event by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The minister’s remarks followed criticisms from the African Democratic Congress regarding the administration’s development agenda. Wike said it was noteworthy that even critics had acknowledged the government’s progress in road construction.

According to him, roads remain essential to economic growth and social development because they improve access to schools, hospitals, markets and farms. He maintained that infrastructure development is one of the foundations upon which communities and economies grow.

Turning his attention to former Senate President David Mark, whom he identified as a leader within a faction of the ADC, Wike questioned the former lawmaker’s performance while occupying high public office. He argued that major roads serving communities in Benue State remained in poor condition during Mark’s years in leadership despite the presence of a ruling party government at the federal level.

The minister said residents in parts of Benue experienced difficulties travelling because of bad roads, adding that the situation persisted for years without lasting intervention. He contrasted that experience with recent improvements carried out under the current administration, which he said have made travel easier for residents and commuters.

Wike also used the occasion to defend the Tinubu administration’s policy of continuing projects inherited from previous governments. He explained that the newly commissioned interchange had been awarded before the current administration took office but received little progress until the Federal Government provided the support needed for its completion.

According to him, one of the recurring challenges in Nigeria’s development process is the tendency of new administrations to abandon projects started by their predecessors. He said the current government has chosen a different path by ensuring that beneficial projects are completed regardless of which administration initiated them.

The minister revealed that many residents had doubted the interchange project would ever be completed because of delays that affected its execution in the past. He described its completion as another step in the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory.

Wike also rejected suggestions that the administration’s efforts are focused only on road construction. He pointed to investments in water infrastructure across several communities within the FCT as evidence that development is taking place in different sectors.

He recalled the recent inauguration of a water supply project in Karu and announced that another water infrastructure project in Bwari is scheduled for commissioning in July. According to him, these projects are designed to improve living conditions and expand access to basic services for residents.

The minister further challenged critics to compare current investments in satellite towns with what was done in previous administrations. He maintained that ongoing projects across the FCT are bringing visible improvements to communities and supporting the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Wike concluded by stating that the administration remains committed to delivering projects that directly impact residents and improve the quality of life across the territory.