Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has hailed President Bola Tinubu’s backing for rural development, vowing to link the FCT’s 50th anniversary celebrations with the President’s third year in office.
Wike stated on Wednesday during a visit by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) board and management to his Abuja office, as part of events marking the territory’s golden jubilee.
While decrying years of neglect, Minister Wike highlighted the transformation under President Tinubu’s administration, pointing to the Tungan Madaki community along the airport road.
“Today we went to Tunga Madaki. It’s really shocking. I pitied the communities,” he said.
“But by the grace of God, by the time we do that road to Zuba, you will see how the whole place will be opened. How can we just be talking about only the city, when communities are denied of their basic things?” Wike said.
He praised Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA) Executive Secretary Richard Yunana Dauda for aligning the agency with government priorities, and noted key reforms including the creation of an FCT civil service—allowing local staff to rise to permanent secretary level—and exclusion from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
These moves, Wike said, have boosted internally generated revenue and enabled bank loans for infrastructure.
“Today, everybody is saying there’s massive infrastructural development. If that was not made possible, we would still be hanging around,” he added.
Minister Wike announced plans for a committee to coordinate the dual celebrations later this year, insisting: “I don’t want to take away the shine from Mr. President.”
Urging residents and staff to back the efforts, he expressed frustration at public focus on “petty things” over government achievements.
Earlier, Dauda described the past two-and-a-half years’ progress as “unprecedented in the 50-year history of the FCT”, crediting Wike’s “commitment, dedication and proactive drive”.
He pledged a compendium documenting the gains and reaffirmed FCDA’s loyalty to building “a new Federal Capital that all Nigerians will be proud of”.
