Surviving me means you can thrive anywhere, says Wike

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has asserted that anyone who can work successfully under his leadership is capable of thriving in any professional environment.

Wike made the remark on Wednesday during the commissioning of the 16.4km dualised Ushafa–War College–Army Checkpoint Road and other connecting roads in the Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

Reflecting on the project and the people involved, the former Rivers State governor revealed that he had initially been skeptical about Abdul Val, the local contractor who executed the road construction. However, he expressed satisfaction with the final outcome, commending the contractor for delivering high-quality work.

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“When we came on board, I looked at the road and they said I should resubmit it to the Bureau for Public Procurement, BPP. I said, Who is this contractor? They said, Abdul Val. Say, Abdul Val again? In the construction, I have never heard of any Abdul Val.

“I have been very careful when it comes to road work, because I know the road network or road infrastructure is key to opening up areas and for investors to come in. So, I was not comfortable when I saw that it was a local contractor.”

Wike said he took extra steps to confirm the contractor’s capacity.

He stated, “I said, 16.4 kilometres? So, I said, let me see that contractor. He came. I said, you? So, I called my Chief of Staff. Go and find out where his company is. Check the equipment they have, because obviously, with my experience, I don’t want this portfolio of contractors. So, my chief of staff and the team went to his site and came back and said, Sir, there is some equipment. I said, Look, I am still not convinced. Show me the picture, they showed me.

“I said, Are you sure that people didn’t go there and snap some areas and put it? I said, I am not convinced. I had to go myself to the site and I saw some equipment. I said, okay. First of all, the administration has always said we must encourage local content. We must encourage local contractors. We must build our own. So, I came here. I saw the place.”

He described the pressure he put on the contractor to complete the project in time for President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.

“I have had them for 15 months, and I have never visited a project like this. I have been here like 15 times, on Sundays, Saturdays. I would call this contractor on the phone. I am here. What is happening? Are you sure that this job will be completed? For Mr President to inaugurate for his second year in office. He says, Sir, I can assure you. I said, Okay, my brother. You know me. I am a troublesome person too.

“If you don’t finish this job, because I have already told Mr President that he was going to inaugurate this. So, if it is not completed, there would be a problem. You know, working with me is not an easy thing.

“For anybody to survive working with me, you know you will work anywhere and survive. Mr President, the Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department STDD, I pity him. A young boy, I am sure, is now well equipped. I have never allowed him to sleep for one day. Never. And I said, you cannot be nominated to hold a position like this, it is not to come and chop. He must work. So, he must make sacrifices.”

Wike praised the STDD Coordinator, saying he has proven himself.

“He is a young man. He must show that he has that capacity, so that those who recommended you will not be disappointed. Mr President, I can tell you today, this young man has not disappointed anybody. Sir, I hardly talk about people. When you see me say somebody is doing well, sir, the person is doing well. There are people who you given a position, they think that it is just for publicity.

“There are people who you give a position, they take it as an opportunity for them to express themselves, and they have the capacity to work. It is not, ‘I am a coordinator, I am a mandate secretary’, for the purposes of that. No.

“I gave him problems. I don’t know whether he has a wife. If he has, I am pitying the wife because the man would not be happy to say, I am in trouble and the wife says, what kind of work are you doing? So if he has a wife, I want to apologise to the wife that I gave your husband so much trouble, so much sleepless night, but it is a good one,” he stated.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who commissioned the road on behalf of President Tinubu, said the project would improve lives and ease movement.

“For too long, the journey between Ushafa and the War College-Army checkpoint has been a test of endurance.

“Every commuter, every trader, every student, and every health worker who has travelled this road has borne the burden of delay and difficulties. That story changes today. With this project, we have transformed a path of frustration into a corridor of opportunity.

“These dualised and upgraded roads will not only ease traffic congestion but also breathe new life into economic activities, improve access to education and healthcare, and uplift the overall quality of life for the good people of Ushafa, Bwari, and the neighbouring communities,” he said.