A civil society organization (CSO), Arewa Coalition for Good Governance (ACGG), has commended the “genuine and tireless efforts put in by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike,” in the last one year.

In a statement issued in Abuja Tuesday, signed by Mallam Bello Datijjo (Coordinator) and Comrade Kabir Mustapha, the ACGG observed that, when Wike was appointed Minister of the FCT last year, many northerners expressed fears that Wike, being a southerner, would not put in his best to develop the federal territory. “But all these fears have been put to rest, in less than year, as Barr. Wike has proven beyond doubt, that he is ready to surpass his performances as Governor of River State,” the statement noted.

Of particular interest to the group is the maintenance and sustenance of security of lives and property by the Wike administration, despite the activities of dire-hard bandits and terrorists. ACGG also lauded Barr. Wike on his efforts at initiating programmes that would enhance religious dialogue and tolerance by inhabitants of Abuja, which they further said, have brought about peaceful co-existence between original indigenes of Abuja and as well as settlers.

The Arewa Coalition also made specific mention of the Abuja Light Rail which, they said, is scheduled to be commissioned on Monday, May 27, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The group also noted that commencement of commercial operations by the rail line within Abuja, will ease the tension and difficulties experienced daily on the roads of Abuja by workers, especially civil servants. “The perennial holdups and (in some cases, gridlocks) would be drastically reduced with the commencement of operations by this rail project,” the group noted.

ACGG said, with Wike’s performance on this project, “the Federal Government can now be trusted when it makes promises.” This, according to them, is because, the Commander-in-Chief, Bola Tinubu, had made a promise that his administration, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, would deliver the metro-line to Nigerians within one year in office.

Other achievements enumerated by the Coalition include: “the incredible road networks being carried out all over the federal capital territory; the development of the real estate sector in the territory which comes with improved standard of living of residents; accelerated construction of good road within Abuja; the contract for the renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja; provision of potable water, solar electrification, street lightening,” among others.

ACGG also hailed Wike for the completion of “the official residence of the Vice President (VP’s Lodge); the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) which commences from the Villa Roundabout To the Ring Road 1, which has four number of interchanges; and B6 and B12 Circle Roads, as well as the N20 from Northern Parkway (Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Expressway), all billed to be commissioned same day.”

On traditional institution, the Coalition said Barr. Wike had upgraded the status of new chiefs for some chiefdoms, which it named as: Karu, Kwali and Yaba within the FCT. It added, “This is part of Wike’s efforts to make sure that, the traditional institution is working in tandem with the grassroots and the FCTA.”

“Wike has planned to deploy drones by partnering with the Parliamentary Republic of Hungary around the 800 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory. This effort is aimed at securing inhabitants of the territory,” the Coalition observed.

ACGG also commended Wike’s efforts in convincing President Bola Tinubu administration to remove the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which it noted, “has made FCT self-dependent.”

“Wike has also made it possible for the FCTA to have its own Civil Service Commission, a feat will make it possible for FCT Directors to become Permanent Secretaries, like their counterparts in other Federal Ministries,” the Coalition noted.

Wike’s “no nonsense” stance with his dealings with contractors, has also been acknowledged by the Coalition, which has paved way for using original materials for execution of jobs awarded and the best quality of finished projects for commissioning.

Even with all these achievements, ACGG wishes to urge Wike not to be distracted by those who do not want to see anything good in his efforts, but to rather concentrate on developing Abuja to the status of a model capital city which all Nigerians will be proud of.

ACGG also quoted a personality they referred to as “an Abuja-based philanthropist and humanitarian per excellence, Dr Emmanuel Musa of EMNAMU Foundation” who is also a resident of the city to have aptly captured the milestones of the FCT Minister, which he termed, “Wike is taking Abuja to the comity of developed capital cities in the world, for sustainable development, efforts which must be commended by all well-meaning Nigerians,” as according to him, “no FCT Minister in the annals of history has achieved such a feat in the short period of time.”

The organization quoted Dr Musa to have emphasized that Minister Wike has, “within one year, written his name in the hearts of the residents on the sands of time, that posterity will always be kind to him for putting the people first.”

“Let me also commend President Bola Tinubu for having the foresight and vision to appoint Barr. Wike as the FCT Minister. And, with Wike’s excellent performance in the FCT, it is high time politicians emulate the good works and excellent political pedigree of Barr. Wike as wherever he finds himself; or whatever he touches, becomes gold and the people are better for it,” ACGG quoted Dr. Musa as saying.

In view of the above, ACGG joins millions of well-meaning Nigerians to commend and applaud Wike’s development strides in FCT within this short spate of time. We therefore give Barr. Wike a sounding pass-mark and call for all hands, including the international community, to be on deck, to assist the FCT Administration under Barr. Wike to make Abuja a city to be proud of as well as a world tourism site of destination.