ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned contractors in Abuja to brace up for tough times as he embarks on another round of project flag-offs and commissionings across the capital city.
Wike, who on Thursday flagged off the construction of Arterial Road N1 from Wuye District to Ring Road II, declared that he is fully prepared for resistance from contractors opposed to the FCT Administration’s new strategy for maintaining projects.
The minister announced that within 16 days — from now until October 16 — the FCTA will flag off several projects and commission two more.
“Very soon, we are flagging off to light up the whole of Abuja, and you will see another fight. You know why? Every day I see files for maintenance of street lights and back road lights — pay, pay, and pay again. Now we have come up with a strategy on how to pay, and there will be a fight. If you are not prepared, don’t come up here. Me, I’m prepared for it,” Wike said.
He further accused some contractors, suppliers, and politicians of profiting from outdated maintenance arrangements, particularly around generator supplies and streetlight contracts, warning that such practices will no longer be tolerated.
“There are those whose duty is to supply generators. Now that a new strategy has come, they would fight me — and I’m fully prepared. There are political heads who benefit because money is imputed as overhead, and it may not be there again. They will fight. There are those outside who see it as their traditional right to supply generators. They will fight. And there are politicians whose only job is to push for streetlight contracts. They will fight. But I’m ready,” he declared.
Wike also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s development agenda, insisting that he is determined to see Abuja transform into the capital city Nigerians deserve.
“If you’re not prepared for this job, go home and sleep. I’m prepared to support and help Mr. President achieve for this country the progress we are supposed to see,” he added.
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