Abuja, as a befitting Federal Capital Territory, FCT, of Nigeria, is centrally located, without the defects like the former nation’s capital, Lagos.
It was converted to Nigeria’s capital city in 1975. It was chosen for being at the center of the nation, its small population and for political reasons. In the process, a master plan was developed. However, successive administrations in the FCT abused the master plan and that resulted to congestion, poor town planning and housing inadequacy in the city.
The most vulnerable is that, the urban poor had to arrange on their own where to live and that resulted in shanty settlements. Hence, spatial dialectics, informal volumetric and unvolumetric combination now called the spatial house, open house or house without limit. The problems will be attributed to inappropriate implementation of the Abuja master plan which has resulted in urbanization and housing inadequacy that require only a courageous FCT minister to proffer solutions to the aforementioned challenges.
The appointment of the immediate-past governor of Rivers state Barrister Nyesom Ezonwo Wike from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as FCT minister is a big blessing to the nation’s capital city. His dedication and ability got him here to continue to serve the country at large by replicating his Rivers’ transformational leadership to restore Abuja to its pride of place.
The Wike administration in the FCT is an inspiration to all who want to see the country’s capital city competing with others in the advanced world, like London and Washington DC, in the nearest future.
However, the FCT minister is facing intense criticism for his efforts to restore the Abuja master plan. Nevertheless, it is vital to move beyond mere political narratives and understand the significance of his actions.
Abuja, as the nation’s capital, should serve as a model city, showcasing proper urban planning and infrastructure development. The criticisms are nothing worth discussing unless for political gossips who hardly come to terms with reality. It’s obvious that the on-going demolition of illegal structures in Abuja has no ethnic, religious, political or regional connotation as some detractors insinuate.
Most importantly, let us remember that the essence of leadership is vision. A leader should not blow an uncertain trumpet because leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. It is imperative to note that for the president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who himself is political school, to go outside party lines to appoint Wike as the FCT minister, he must have recognised Wike’s leadership sagacity and capability to restore the lost glory of the nation’s capital.
The fact that Wike served the people of Rivers state as the executive governor cannot be contested. Those who have the fortune to visit the city of Port Harcourt, the Revers state capital, will be in a position to explain much better how it has been transformed under Wike’s watch. He had supported and helped those who were doing poorly to do well and those doing well to do better. The philosophy that inspired President Tinubu to appoint him was binded on his good track records of achievements and performance.
Wike’s commitment to enforcing regulations and demolishing illegal structures is essential for maintaining the city’s aesthetic appeal and functionality. The master plan aims to ensure that the city evolves sustainably, with adequate amenities, green spaces and efficient transportation networks.
He used modern strategies and other spheres to bring development when he served as executive chairman, chief of staff, minister of state and later governor of the oil rich Rivers state. Wike had leveraged all his previous positions to save those he served from the shackles of poverty and underdevelopment
While some might argue that this approach disrupts people’s lives and livelihoods, it is crucial to understand that these measures are necessary for long-term progress and development. Neglecting the master plan would lead to haphazard urban growth, congestion and a decline in the city’s overall livability. Thus, Wike’s strict adherence to regulations and his determination to enforce compliance with the master plan should be seen as a positive step towards creating a world-class capital city.
Instead of attacking the minister, it is essential to support his vision and work towards finding alternative solutions for those affected by the demolitions. With proper dialogue and inclusive planning, it is possible to address the concerns of both individuals and the community as a whole. As a resident of Abuja in the last 35 years, I have never seen a serious minded person as the minister of FCT that came with a clean mind like Wike. Apart from Mallam Nasir El-rufai, no one had shown any level of commitment to sanitise the city and restore its master plan like Wike.
One thing is clear on Wike’s plans to bring Abuja to limelight again especially with his plans to revoke all undeveloped lands in order to curb incessant insecurity challenges within the capital city. Another important thing to take note of is his plan to test some major buildings in Abuja in order to prevent further collapse of substandard structures after the Jabi incidents that led to the death of innocent lives. To me, he should be encouraged instead of selling ethnic and religious narratives against his person.
Just last week, Wike announced a presidential approval pulling out the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), effectively paving way for his administration to utilise the territory’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the development of the nation’s capital.
He also disclosed that Mr President approved the creation of a Mandate Secretariat for Women Affairs and the FCT Civil Service Commission to allow for staff career progression. These giant strides are being applauded by both serving and retired directors in the FCTA.
Abuja deserves to uphold its status as a well-planned and functional capital city. By restoring the master plan, Wike is undertaking a necessary task, and it is crucial that we recognise the importance of his actions beyond ethnic, religious and political narratives. As a businessman and a politician myself, I see Wike as the best brain that will bring the needed infrastructural standard of Abuja, mirror of good governance and a reference point of leadership as FCT minister.
Amana writes from Abuja.