FCT Residents Unimpressed With Wike’s Performance, Senator Kingibe Claims

Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Labour Party, criticized the performance of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike during an appearance on Arise News TV on Sunday. According to Kingibe, the infrastructural projects inaugurated by Wike have not been beneficial to the majority of FCT residents.

Kingibe expressed her concerns, stating, “The minister may be a great minister in a ministry that has no people. But the unique situation of the FCT minister is that apart from infrastructure and roads, he also has to take into consideration the needs of the people in that community.” She further highlighted that the projects Wike is focused on are situated in areas like Maitama and the Central District, where the bulk of the population does not reside. She emphasized that the essential needs of the people, such as access to water and emergency services, are being neglected.

Kingibe pointed out the recent fire incident in Karu, which she believes could have been prevented if there had been adequate water supply and access roads. She criticized the current state of the FCT, where residents still face fundamental challenges despite new road projects.

In May, there was a report that over 3,000 residents of Gurfata Ibwa Ward in the Gwagwalada area of the FCT lack access to proper healthcare and education. Photographs shared by Monitng, a civic technology platform, revealed the deplorable conditions of the primary health care center and junior secondary school in the community, affecting 338 students.

Monitng’s founder, Ilevbaoje Uadamen, called on Wike and Kingibe to address these issues, urging them to prioritize the needs of the people. The health facility in the community has reportedly been sealed for nearly five years, forcing residents to travel long distances for medical treatment.

The civic platform’s appeal to Wike and Kingibe reads, “Dear @GovWike & @IretiKingibe, the current state of the Primary Health Care Centre and Junior Secondary School in Gurfata Ibwa Ward, Gwagwalada, Abuja FCT is now in a deplorable condition, affecting over 3,000 residents and 338 students. Close to 3,000 residents and 338 students have been denied access to health facilities and access to education in the community. We call on @GovWike and @IretiKingibe to kindly reach out to the responsible authorities to do the needful.”

Monitng emphasized the importance of aligning project nominations with the needs of the community rather than the desires of representatives, pointing out that effective utilization of the yearly N100 billion budget for zonal intervention projects could prevent such issues in local communities.