Wike hails Tinubu’s mediation in Rivers crisis
By Ndukaku Ihe
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has commended President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the protracted political crisis in Rivers State.
Speaking while inspecting ongoing road projects in Abuja, he described the president’s move as timely and decisive.
The FCT Minister said President Tinubu’s action had helped to calm tensions between the state governor and the House of Assembly and could bring a final resolution to the rift.
“Mr. President has been very kind to the people of the state. If there seems to be a problem between the legislature and the governor, as a father, he has to intervene,” Wike told journalists.
The former Rivers State governor noted that this was the second time the President had stepped in to mediate and expressed optimism that the latest intervention would be the last.
“I believe, by the grace of God, this will be the last time. I have told the Assembly to do the needful and obey Mr. President, which I know they will not hesitate to do. I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord”, he added.
Wike made the remarks shortly after inspecting completed and ongoing infrastructure projects in the FCT.
At Life Camp, he toured the newly completed N5 road constructed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and expressed satisfaction with the quality of work.
“You were there when Julius Berger said in three weeks they would have finished. What they are working on now are the walkways; the streetlights are already there. The last time we went there, the bridges were not complete, but today you can see that the bridges are completed, with four lanes on each side”, he said.
The minister described the project as one of the administration’s flagship achievements and hinted that it would likely be commissioned during President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
“We are happy. It is one of those projects that we think will be inaugurated by the President’s third year in office”, Wike stated.
He also inspected the expansive Karsana road network project being handled by Lubriks Construction Company, which spans more than 10 kilometres.
Wike expressed delight at the pace and standard of work, describing the project as strategic to improving transportation within the FCT.
“You can see the walkway done here. I’m very impressed with the quality of work. I didn’t know it was like a ring road, covering over 10 kilometres”, he said.
The minister expressed confidence that the contractor would meet the May/June completion deadline and assured that funding would not be a constraint.
“From what I have seen, they are really going to meet up with the set time. On our part, we will make sure they get the necessary funding to finish this project on time”, he added.
Wike reaffirmed his commitment to regular project inspections, saying close supervision was necessary to ensure timely delivery and high standards.
He maintained that the FCT Administration would continue to prioritise infrastructure development as a key driver of economic growth and improved living conditions for residents.
