Wike Defends Tinubu’s Infrastructure Record, Faults David Mark’s Road Legacy
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the infrastructure achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming that the government has delivered more road projects within three years than what was achieved during former Senate President David Mark’s tenure.
Wike made the statement on Thursday during the commissioning of the Interchange at Arterial Road N16–Ring Road II Junction, which connects Jahi and Gwarimpa districts in Abuja. President Tinubu was represented at the event by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The minister’s remarks followed recent criticisms from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he said had acknowledged the Tinubu administration’s performance in road infrastructure.
According to Wike, roads remain critical to economic and social development, stressing that access to healthcare, education and agriculture depends largely on effective transportation networks.
He said: “Without roads, you cannot go to hospital, you cannot go to school, and you cannot go to farm. Roads are the bedrock of development in any society.”
Wike, who identified David Mark as chairman of a faction of the ADC, criticised the former Senate President’s infrastructure record, particularly the condition of the Akwanga-Makurdi road during Mark’s years in office.
He argued that while the road remained in poor condition under Mark’s leadership, the current administration’s intervention had improved access to communities in Benue and neighbouring areas.
The FCT minister also said the completion of the Jahi-Gwarimpa interchange demonstrated President Tinubu’s commitment to continuity in governance, noting that the project was initiated before the current administration but received little progress until it was revived.
He criticised the practice of abandoning projects started by previous governments, saying development should be driven by public interest rather than political considerations.
“Government is a continuum. What matters is completing projects for the benefit of the people, regardless of who awarded them,” Wike said.
The minister disclosed that the interchange project had been doubted by many residents because of delays in its completion, describing its delivery as a major achievement in the ongoing transformation of the FCT.
Wike also rejected claims that the administration’s focus was limited to road construction, highlighting investments in water supply projects across satellite towns in Abuja.
He cited the recently commissioned water infrastructure project in Karu and announced that another major water project in Bwari would be inaugurated on July 14.
The minister challenged critics to identify similar investments in satellite communities by previous administrations, insisting that the Renewed Hope Agenda was delivering tangible improvements across the Federal Capital Territory.
