President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for his leadership style and ability to deliver on promises made.

The President gave the commendation on Saturday, June 8, 2024, when he commissioned the provision of Engineering Infrastructure to Guzape District Lot II on the last day in the first series of FCT project commissioning in the nation’s capital.

President Tinubu said, “Nyesom Wike, you have provided exceptional leadership at a trying time of the country. It was a very challenging time for us, even now we are still trying to rejig our financial system to bring prosperity and relief to the people of the country. You have demonstrated the capacity to build a team, to lead a team and to deliver on promises. I commend you, well done”.

Speaking on disputes over compensation and resettlement, as highlighted earlier by the FCT Minister, the President cautioned that residents should embrace dialogue and development that is focused on bringing prosperity to their communities rather than resort to litigation.

He asked, “Of what value is the land that is blocked by hills, mountains and rocks that you cannot access nor provide drinkable water?” while urging traditional leaders to communicate with their subjects on development matters. He also reiterated the commitment of his Administration to the provision of improved quality of life.

He said “I stand here as your President. I don’t have a plot here. But I have the people’s support and the mandate to deliver a good quality of life and living environment. That should be enough to share in the joy of commitment, dedication, perseverance and give a little of what God has endowed us with”. 

In his address, the FCT Minister again commended the President for his support and consistency in honouring the FCT Administration’s invitation, for nine days, to commission projects as part of activities to mark his one year in office.

The Minister said the President’s presence at each commissioning was a testament to his love for the FCT and its residents and a renewal of hope for a people that have lost hope.

Barr. Wike, who said the Guzape District was one of the biggest and fastest developing districts in the FCT, said the contract for its development was awarded in 2003 in two lots at the cost of N14Billion and revised in 2023. He said upon assumption as Minister the two contractors for both lots were rallied back to site.

The Minister said although the development was marred with a myriad of litigations, it did not stop the FCT Administration from getting the needed job done. He, however, attributed the project's success to the support given to the FCTA by the President and his (the President’s) passion.

He said, “Because of your passion, because of your doggedness and to make sure that projects are not abandoned… you made sure these projects are completed.

“Another reason why we have succeeded is because he (the President) gave us that room. I have told people who cared to hear that since I assumed duty on August 21st, 2023, the President has never one day interfered with our work… I and my Minister of State are sincerely happy that you gave us the free hand to work. And that is what we are seeing today”.

The Minister assured that work has commenced on the Guzape District Lot I as well as the Diplomatic area also in Guzape, which he described as a beautiful place to live in the FCT and thanked the President for making the Renewed Hope Agenda come to fruition in the FCT.

In her remarks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, stressed the importance of the provision of engineering infrastructure for the sustainable development of any city and thanked the President for making it possible for Guzape District.

She also thanked the President and all stakeholders of the FCT who made out time to grace the series of commissioning of FCT projects while also commending residents for their patience and support for the FCT Administration.

In his overview of the project, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmed, who said that the Guzape District was conceived to provide residential, commercial and recreational facilities, added that all engineering work on Lot II have been completed, including 31.3 kilometre of roads, an injector substation for power supply and a mini sewage plant.

He commended the FCT Minister for his leadership and guidance which had resulted in the celebration of the completion of the project.