....Tackles Bauchi Governor Over Allegations Of Sabotaging PDP
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, inspected key road infrastructural projects in the FCT, reaffirming the administration's commitment to quality delivery and timely completion.
The projects inspected, including the N16 dual carriageway connecting Jahi and Gwarimpa handled by Global Civil and Building Construction Nigeria Limited (CBC), the Airport Road–Kuje junction stretch by Arab Contractors, and the first section of the Kuje-Gwagwalada road by Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited, are expected to be commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in May as part of his third anniversary celebrations.
According to a statement by the Deputy Director, Office of the Minister, Rabi Musa Umar, Barr. Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, describing the performance of the contractors as “very impressive”, while maintaining that monitoring will be a continuous exercise to sustain the momentum. He emphasized that the FCT Administration will maintain pressure on contractors while providing necessary support to ensure delivery timelines are met, noting that governance must translate into visible impact for residents.
“I am generally impressed with the quality of jobs by CBC, Arab Contractors and Gilmor. But this will not be a one-off exercise. We will continue to visit every one or two weeks to ensure they remain on track”, he said.
Addressing recent concerns regarding a collapsed temporary bridge on the alternative link road between Kuje and Gwagwalada—caused by heavy rainfall—the Minister also praised the contractor’s swift intervention.
"One of the areas that you rate contractors is their ability to provide alternative routes during construction. I am happy that the contractor moved very swiftly to provide an alternative access route. That is the hallmark of a good contractor" he said.
Speaking on the allegations by the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, that the Minister was planted as an agent to destroy the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Wike described the accusations as "embarrassing" and "hypocritical", pointing out that those accusing him are the ones actually defecting or seeking refuge in other parties.
"This accusation of me being planted—all those who accused me are now in the APC. So, who now has told the truth?" the Minister asked. "If they are accusing me of being the agent to destroy the party, and you have now left your party to join the APC, who is the real agent? I have said I will not leave PDP. I have said that I will continue to support Mr. President, and that has been my position since 2022", he stressed.
Citing Governor Bala Mohammed's shifting alliances, Barr. Wike described the Bauchi Governor as an unstable politician, referencing to past instances where the Governor allegedly vowed never to work with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, only to rejoin him and later moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).