No FCT Minister Had It Easy Like Me, ₦300 Billion Spent On Satellite Towns – Wike

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesome Wike, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly for their support to his ministry.

Wike said about ₦300 billion had already been spent by his administration since he took over in infrastructural development of the satellite towns the capital city

Naijaonpoint reports that the FCT Minister stated this on Wednesday while commissioning Paikon Kore – Ibwa road in Gwagwalada Area Council.

He disclosed that over 8.5 billion had been spent on road infrastructure in Gwagwalada region. He stressed that President Tinubu was committed to developing satellite towns.

“Let me thank the National Assembly for the support they have given to us, I don’t think any other Minister of FCT before has had it so easy. The National Assembly has seriously, seriously supported us, and I want to tell you Mr. President of the Senate and the Speaker and all the members for their support to the FCT. Now, while I’m saying this, while I’m saying this, it is important, that you know the importance that Mr. President attaches to the development of the satellite town. Mr. President is not only committed to the development of the city, but Mr. President is also committed to the development of the satellite town.

“So that’s why I said, just within one year, the President came on board, May 2023, just within one year, this is just for Gwagwalada Area Council alone, not all the area councils, this one alone. This road, Mr. President committed 8.5 billion naira to construct this road. Now, listen, so, when you ask, what has Mr. President done, put it on record now, write it down, see what he has done for the people of Gwagwalada Area Council. In Aguba Palace Road, Mr. President has committed 22 billion naira and that road will be commissioned in May this year,” he said.

The former governor of River State further stated that no other FCT Minister had given attention to satellite towns like he has done, in line with the President’s policy.

The former Minister of State for Education emphasized that President Tinubu values interaction with his followers and people-based leadership.

“But if you add the total value of what Mr. President has committed to Gwagwalada alone, you are talking about over 50 billion naira for one area council. Now if you add the six area councils, just take this as the base because this is the least of all the area councils; you will see that in a year, Mr. President has committed to the development of satellite towns, not less than 300 billion naira. It is important for people to have this record because you see people who go out, they are only developing the city, not the satellite town. Is that correct?

“Is Mr. President not doing something in the satellite town? Have you ever met any minister who has come to you like this? Have you met any minister of the FCT who has called the people of Gwagwalada and asked them what do you want? Now what does this tell you? What it tells you is that Mr. President believes that governance is not only for you to sit in your office and dish out orders. Mr. President believes, governance, you must go to the people, you must discuss with the people, you must ask them what are their problems. And that is what we are doing with you, is it not? Are you happy with Mr. President? Are you happy with Mr. President?” Wike asked.