‘Woe Unto Any Director Who Sits On Files I’ve Approved’ — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to directors in the FCTA against prolonged delays in processing project approvals.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during the flag-off of the 5-kilometre Naharati – River Ukya – Unguwan Hausawa road in Abaji Area Council, Wike harped on timely release of funds for rural development.

“Woe unto that director who will keep a file, that I have approved, for weeks. Woe unto you because you are a saboteur. Once I approve, do the needful. You can take a week to do due diligence. You don’t need to take 20 days,” the minister said.

“The contractors are humans. When the money does not get to them on time, they incur more costs and then they begin to seek variation even though they know that variation is not in my dictionary. So, I need the support of the bureaucracy so that we can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people,” he said.

On the challenges faced by Abaji residents, Wike urged the people to be patient, and assured them that he is committed to effective improving their welfare.

He stated that although the policies of the Bola Tinubu administration may not yield instant results, he assured that the wait will pay off eventually.

He said; “I know that you had suffered quiet a lot in the past and you want things to change immediately. I want to appeal to you to be patient. I will never associate myself with anything that will not work.

“As I tell you that things will turn around positively, be assured that they will turn around positively. The decisions taken by Mr President may not materialize immediately but just be calm. You will reap it.”

The Minister further noted that President Tinubu has mandated him to ensure even development across councils. He expressed commitment to completing all flagged-off rural roads before the end of the year.

He linked the projects to efforts to tackle insecurity and promote agricultural development, stating that good roads are essential for security agencies and farmers alike.

“Mr President has mandated me and the Minister of State to see that we come to the Area Councils for you to feel the impact of governance. We have talked about insecurity. If you don’t have good roads can you fight insecurity? One of the ways of fighting insecurity is to provide good roads so that security agencies can chase criminals and apprehend them. If you don’t have good roads you can’t go to the farms. This road is to also support agricultural development.

“The president has told us that development should not only be concentrated in the city. One of the reason for rural-urban migration is access to amenities and when you provide that in the rural areas, people will stay in their areas.

“Insecurity does not know any political party. Hardship does not know who belongs to which party. Therefore the council chairmen owe the people to provide good governance. They have all agreed with us to work with this administration to make sure that our people will not lose out and I want to commend them for that.

“All these projects we are starting will be completed this year. None will get to next year. We must make people have confidence in government by fulfilling our promises. Be assured that these roads in the six Area Councils will be completed before the year ends. All these we are doing have to do with the 2023 budget. We are going to flag-off more roads in the 2024 budget. It is your right. We are not doing it that we are helping you, no. Mr President came to you and sought your mandate, that he would touch your lives. He is doing that now”, he added.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Abaji Area Council, Abdullahi Abubakar, noted the importance of the Naharati – River Ukya – Unguwan Hausawa road in supporting agricultural activities and facilitating the movement of goods and services.

He called on the community to remain united in their determination to see the project through to completion and expressed full support for the administration’s initiatives.

Wike further assured the public that all ongoing projects align with the 2023 budget and pledged to initiate more roads in the 2024 budget, stating the administration’s commitment to fulfilling promises and instilling confidence in the government.