The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says it is unfair to expect a complete transformation of Abuja within two years of his administration.
Speaking in Abuja during a media session on Monday, Wike asked Nigerians to judge his government by the quality of work done over time, not by unrealistic timelines.
“This is just two years in office,” he said. “It is not possible for you to turn around all the sectors. It is not possible.”
Wike acknowledged the pressure from the public but insisted he would rather focus on doing things properly than rushing for applause.
“You talk about the transport system, it is chaotic,” he said. “We’re trying to see what we can do to put it in order, which we have started.”
He described current public expectations as often misaligned with reality, especially in health and education sectors.
“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.
He also criticised the push to build universities without proper focus on quality.
“Everybody wants the university to be in his community,” Wike said. “Nobody has asked, these two universities you are providing, what’s the quality?”
According to him, spreading infrastructure without proper planning leads to substandard outcomes.
“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.
Wike also took a swipe at public pressure on his mandate secretaries to speak more often, saying his administration is more focused on delivery than appearances.
“You have your own time to go to them and ask them questions,” he told reporters. “You will not advise us how, in terms of public appearance, in terms of interviews.”
On whether he exercises oversight over mandate secretaries, the minister responded firmly.
“I sit and I approve funds for you to utilise,” he said. “And then you’re asking me if I supervise? Do I look like somebody who will sit in the office?”
He said his administration has a clear strategy that targets sectors in phases.
“A government must be forward and targeted,” he explained. “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.”
Wike also revealed plans to quietly inaugurate completed school rehabilitation projects across the FCT without elaborate ceremonies.
“Why do you need ceremony for schools? Roads, yes. But for schools, let’s get the work done and move on,” he said.
Wike closed by saying that no sector has been abandoned under his watch.
“That does not mean any sector should be neglected. And we’re not neglecting,” he said.
