The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that it is unreasonable to expect his administration to overhaul every sector within a two-year timeframe.
Speaking during a media parley in Abuja on Monday, Wike addressed concerns surrounding infrastructure, education, healthcare, and transportation. He urged Nigerians to adopt a more realistic perspective regarding government priorities and timelines.
“I’ll take, for example, I’m talking about the qualities in this country that are so bad.
“Every inner school that wants to provide access to education, we don’t want to talk about the quality of education.
“Everybody wants the university to be in his community. Nobody has asked, these two universities you are providing, what’s the quality?
“All you are interested in is let there be universities everywhere, but no quality,” he said.
Wike explained that while many citizens want visible infrastructure in their areas, there is often little concern for the quality or long-term sustainability of such projects.
“I would prefer that I have three universities, for example, and then you can talk about the quality of those universities or schools,” he added.
He also highlighted the ongoing rehabilitation of general hospitals across the territory, stating that it would be unrealistic to expect every district to have a fully equipped hospital in such a short period.
“I don’t know why anybody should think that within two years in office, you’re going to have a general hospital in all the other houses. That’s just not possible,” he said.
Addressing the FCT’s transport system, Wike admitted it was in disarray but assured that work was underway to address the issues.
“You talk about the transport system, it is chaotic. We’re trying to see what we can do to put it in order, which we have started,” he noted, emphasizing that expecting instant solutions was unreasonable.
Wike reiterated, “This is just two years in office. It is not possible for you to turn around all the sectors. It is not possible.
“But that does not mean any sector should be neglected. And we’re not neglected.”
He explained that good governance involves a step-by-step strategy that targets different sectors over time.
“A government must be forward and targeted. From this period to this period, this is what we’re going to do in this area.
“From this period to the next period, this is what we’re going to do in this area. That’s how government is supposed to work,” he explained.
When asked why the mandate secretaries are seldom seen interacting with the public, Wike responded that it was not the media’s place to determine how his administration communicates.
“So they’re not satisfied with what I’m briefing them? No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You have your own time to go to them and ask them questions.
“You will not advise us how, in terms of public appearance, in terms of interviews,” Wike replied.
He also emphasized his hands-on role in supervising secretaries and overseeing project execution.
“Oh, I tell you, this is very unfair. If you ask me whether my office supervises the mandate secretary, that would be very much unfair.
“You know me very well. I sit and I approve funds for you to utilise. And then you’re asking me if I supervise?
“Do I look like somebody who will sit in the office? I mean, that would be very unfair for you to say,” he said.
On the subject of education, Wike mentioned plans to begin inaugurating completed and renovated school projects throughout the FCT to raise public awareness of these efforts. He acknowledged progress in improving educational infrastructure.
However, he clarified that he does not organize elaborate ceremonies for school projects as he does for roads, arguing that such events are not always necessary.