The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesome Wike has warned directors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to seek redeployment if they do have the capacity to deliver on their schedules.

Wike stated this during his takeover of the leadership of FCTA from the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Minister outlined some quick fixes to change the face of the FCT in areas of traffic lights, sanitation, street trading, transportation, insecurity and other issues. He said when his administration is done with the short-term quick fixes, they will proceed to development projects and that Nigerians should expect projects upon projects.

Wike said: “We are here to deliver the short-term deliverables for people to see that Abuja is coming back to what it was supposed to be.”

He charged the director in charge of street lights to do everything possible in the shortest possible time to restore lights in the streets of Abuja.

“People are complaining of street lights not working, I am complaining too. We must fix it within the shortest possible time,” he stated.

On sanitation, Wike said that Abuja must return to a clean city. He told the Director in charge of sanitation to work hard. He said he was ready to make the Director develop high blood pressure on account of the job as he would not give him time to rest.

“You must be ready to work hard; I must make sure I give you BP, so you must work hard. You can’t be sleeping when the environment is dirty.

“You can’t be Director for nothing, it’s an opportunity for us to tell Nigerians and Mr. President that we can can’t disappoint. If you are in charge of sanitation, buy your drugs, carry it all the time because I will disturb you all the time to make sure Abuja is clean,” he added.

On transportation, Wike noted that “Wahala don come” the Minister lamented the indiscriminate and illegal bus stops all around Abuja.

“I have respect for women, but this one I will not. If you don’t have the capacity, let’s replace you now. On this job, people will not like you, but in the end, if you do it well you will be appreciated. Things are tough, yes, but we cannot live in a lawless society because things are tough.

“There will be no abandoned projects in my time, there will be the money down before we start any project, and we will make a difference. We are committed to achieving what Mr. President promised Nigerians,” Wike declared.

Earlier, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmud thanked President Tinubu, for the appointment, especially for assigning me this important portfolio and sending me to work with hardworking, dedicated and professional people like you.

According to her: “I am of the firm belief that, together, and with your support, we will replicate what the Minister has done in Rivers State in the nation’s capital, especially at the Area Councils and the Satellite Towns, so that the lives of our people in the rural areas will be positively touched.

“It is also instructive to state that maximum commitment, cooperation and loyalty is expected from all the staff because it will not be business as usual. We will run with the vision of Mr. President, which we will be unveiling as we hit the ground running,” she hinted.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola assured the Minister of the unalloyed support of the entire staff of the FCT Administration in ensuring the actualization of the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said “I am particularly impressed that all Stakeholders in FCT, including the indigenes of Abuja, have demonstrated their commitment to work with you sir.”

In his vote of thanks, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Engr Shehu Hadi, thanked Wike and Mahmoud for accepting to serve and reposition the FCT.

Hadi assured the Ministers of the workers’ support and cooperation needed to reposition the FCT as one of the best in the world, saying, “We look forward to a harmonious relationship for the good of all in the FCT.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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