Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to overhauling the health sector and boosting emergency services in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
The Minister who made the pledge in Abuja while presenting 12 state-of-the art ambulances to FCT hospitals, explained that the move was a critical component of a broader strategy to ensure that no sector—be it infrastructure, education, or health—is left behind under the current administration.
Addressing critics who questioned the administration’s initial focus on road construction, Minister Wike explained that without the construction of roads, it would be impossible to deploy ambulances during emergency situations.
He said, “So many people were saying why are we concentrating on road infrastructure, why are we not focusing on education? But people forget that these ambulances may break down when there are no good roads.
“When it is an emergency period for you to convey patients and the roads are not in motorable condition, then the whole essence of emergency vehicles becomes useless. So, first things first, and that’s what we have been able to do,” the Minister said in a statement by Assistant Director Rabi Musa.
Minister Wike disclosed that the administration was currently in the procurement phase for the rehabilitation and furnishing of 14 health centers across the FCT.
He confirmed that the FCT Civil Service Commission has been directed to commence the employment of new personnel to address staffing shortages in the FCT Health sector.
The Minister used the occasion to also address the recent indefinite strike action by the FCT Joint Union Action Committee, which has been halted by the National Industrial Court.
Wike explained that, although litigation was not the best choice, the FCTA was left with no other option than to go to court after its appeals to workers to shelve their strike were ignored.
He noted that the administration had reasonably met the demands of the workers, but added that some people with political interests, unfortunately, hijacked the labour struggle to sabotage the efforts of government.
The Minister however reemphasized that the administration was open to dialogue to ensure industrial harmony and advised workers to be law-abiding.
He said, “To workers and some of us who are management staff, who sabotage the efforts of government, I’ve said that the whole essence is to have dialogue. Where there are problems, you sit down and say these problems, I can solve this now, leave this for me tomorrow and I will be able to do it tomorrow.
“If you make a request or a demand for five items for example and the government says okay, we can take up three items and thereafter, we take up the other two items, if you are really sincere, if there is no objective behind it, there is no way you will not accept. But when you leave it and begin to join issues with us as politicians, we will of course treat you as politicians,
“I can’t sit here as a Minister and I see a political opponent trying to run the administration down using some people. No government will shut its eyes and allow that to happen. This society is not a lawless society”.
“So, I appeal to all of you, forget this thing that you say you will go and block the gate and you will not obey court order…I appeal to all of you, senior staff, management staff and the junior staff, nobody will sit to say you are not entitled to get your entitlement. Except that person is an extremist. I appeal to all of you to have a reconsideration and allow peace to reign for the development of the FCT,” he added.
Minister Wike while highlighting the financial health of the FCT Administration and the institutional progress recorded under his tenure, however, explained that the government could not commit its entire resources to workers welfare as it also needs to fund the ongoing massive infrastructure development across the capital territory.
Speaking earlier, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe praised the FCT Minister’s people-oriented governance and thanked the Minister for his support to the FCT Health Sector.
Dr Fasawe, who also described the presentation of ambulances to FCT hospitals as a reflection of the FCTA’s commitment to emergency preparedness and improved health outcome for all who reside in the FCT, further noted that improved roads in areas like Abaji, Kwali, and Gwagwalada have significantly shortened emergency response times in the FCT.
She also confirmed that the FCT is currently the only state/territory that has paid all medical allowances, including the medical residency training fund and hazard allowances, up to date.
Dr Fasawe who highlighted other interventions in the FCT health sector said, “These interventions together, when we reflect on them, show a deliberate and coordinated effort to deliver accessible, high quality and responsible healthcare for the people of the FCT. On behalf of the health sector, we sincerely appreciate the Honourable Minister for this support and commitment”.
Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr. Kumshida Balami Yakubu who also attended the event, commended the FCTA’s efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and pledged the continued support of his organization to help the FCT achieve its health goals.
