Wike criticizes David Mark's track record on infrastructure, praises Tinubu's accomplishments

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, launched a scathing critique of former Senate President David Mark's infrastructure development record on Thursday, asserting that the current administration has outpaced Mark's achievements in this area. Wike noted that President Bola Tinubu's government has delivered a greater number of road projects in just three years than Mark accomplished during his tenure.

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The minister's remarks were made at the commissioning of the Interchange at the Arterial Road N16–Ring Road II Junction, which connects the Jahi and Gwarimpa districts of Abuja, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio representing Tinubu at the event.

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Wike's comments came in response to recent criticisms from the African Democratic Congress, which, he pointed out, has acknowledged the administration's progress in road infrastructure development.

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According to Wike, the African Democratic Congress has conceded that the administration has excelled in terms of road infrastructure, citing the crucial role roads play in facilitating access to essential services like hospitals, schools, and farms.

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Wike then turned his attention to Mark, questioning his contributions to infrastructure development during his eight-year tenure, particularly with regards to the Akwanga-Makurdi road project, which remains in disrepair despite being awarded during Mark's time in office.

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The minister highlighted the stark contrast between the past and present, noting that while the poor could not afford to travel to Makurdi due to the lack of roads, Mark was able to travel by helicopter, but now, thanks to the current administration's intervention, people can drive freely to Makurdi and Otukpo.

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Wike argued that the Tinubu administration has demonstrated a commitment to continuity in governance by completing projects initiated by previous administrations, rather than abandoning them, citing the Jahi-Gwarimpa interchange project as a prime example.

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He noted that the project was awarded before the current administration took office but had stalled until the present government intervened, emphasizing the importance of completing projects for the benefit of the people, regardless of who initiated them.

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Wike observed that many residents had doubted the project would ever be completed, but its delivery marks another significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory.

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The minister also pushed back against claims that the administration's development agenda is overly focused on roads, highlighting ongoing investments in water infrastructure across satellite towns in the FCT, including the recent commissioning of a water supply project in Karu.

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Wike announced that another major water infrastructure project in Bwari is set to be inaugurated on July 14, emphasizing that these projects are designed to improve the lives of ordinary people and demonstrate the administration's commitment to a broader development agenda.

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The minister challenged critics to identify similar investments in satellite communities under previous administrations, insisting that the Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering tangible benefits to residents across the territory.

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration, under Wike's leadership, has been pursuing an aggressive infrastructure drive since he assumed office in August 2023.