Roads Come Before Schools, Hospitals, Wike Replies Critics

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the administration’s heavy investment in road infrastructure.

According to him, roads remain the foundation of economic growth, and his administration will not be swayed by calls to spread resources evenly across all sectors.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike said meaningful progress in healthcare, education, agriculture and commerce depends on quality road infrastructure. He said the administration’s priorities are driven by long-term economic realities, not political sentiments.

“Development starts with infrastructure. If there are no good roads, which schools will people attend? Which industries will investors establish? Roads and bridges open up the economy. Whether people like it or not, you cannot develop without roads,” Wike said.

He said while road projects have received the most public attention, the administration has also expanded water supply, rehabilitated schools and rolled out healthcare interventions across the FCT.

The minister said the Abuja City Water Supply project and the Greater Abuja Water Scheme had recently been commissioned. He added that the water network would be extended to satellite towns, including Bwari, Abaji and Kuje, by 2026.

According to him, more than 120 schools have also been rehabilitated under the current administration.

Wike dismissed claims that the administration had focused almost entirely on roads, insisting that transport infrastructure drives development across every sector.

He pointed to ongoing rural road projects linking farming communities, saying they would reduce transportation costs, improve food distribution and boost economic activities across the FCT.

“When there are no roads, farmers cannot move their produce to markets. Businesses suffer and insecurity thrives. Roads are central to socio-economic development,” he said.

The minister also defended the administration’s urban renewal programme, saying illegal roadside trading would not be allowed to undermine investments in road infrastructure.

He rejected claims that traders removed from road corridors had simply been deprived of their livelihoods.

“Government cannot build roads today and allow them to become markets tomorrow. We cannot encourage illegality simply because people say they are trying to survive. We have designated markets for trading,” he said.

On the growing presence of street beggars and suspected hoodlums in Abuja, Wike said enforcement operations would continue despite criticism.

“We are going to chase them out. If government does not act, there will be lawlessness everywhere. I hope the media will support us when we take the necessary action,” he said.

The minister said the administration’s development model differs from previous governments because communities now help determine project priorities.

Rather than deciding projects from government offices, he said officials consult residents to identify their most pressing needs before contracts are awarded.

“We go to the communities and ask them what they want. They become part of the decision-making process and take ownership of the projects,” he said.

Wike also announced that the FCT Administration would commission projects for 31 consecutive days to mark President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office, up from the 19-day commissioning exercise held during the President’s second anniversary.

He said the projects would include roads, water infrastructure and other completed facilities across the city centre and satellite towns.

The minister also disclosed that the Central Business District Bus and Taxi Terminal would become operational before the end of the year. He said additional terminals planned for Gwagwalada and Bwari had entered the procurement stage, while contractor-related issues delaying the Kubwa terminal were being resolved.

On the remodelling of the Abuja City Gate, Wike said the project stemmed from a suggestion by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who encouraged the administration to improve the aesthetics of the nation’s capital.

He said the First Lady would commission the project because it was her initiative, adding that improved lighting and security features had been incorporated into the facility.

Responding to questions on why he personally addresses almost every issue concerning the FCT Administration, Wike said responsibility for governance ultimately rests with him.

“I know virtually everything happening in the departments because I supervise them. It is better for people to hear directly from me because I take responsibility for the administration’s actions,” he said.