The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has affirmed the current administration’s commitment to making difficult but necessary decisions to transform Abuja, regardless of entrenched interests.

Speaking at a monthly media chat held at his Life Camp Official Residence on Monday, June 2, 2025, Barrister Wike emphasized that the FCT is now “working” due to a willingness to address long-standing issues that his predecessors shied away from.

The Minister described the current administration as having the courage to “annoy people” and “step on toes” in the pursuit of good governance. He stated, “People had said that FCT was not working and now FCT is working. I’m doing things that they refused to do. I have found out that most of them didn’t have the courage to annoy people, to step on toes.”

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The Minister further elaborated on his approach, expressing satisfaction in holding powerful individuals accountable. “I take joy when I step on the toes of big men. Those who say that nothing will happen, I take joy in saying that something will happen. All you want me to do is to take decisions against the poor people, but you the rich man, nothing will happen. Something will happen and that’s why we are getting results. If you don’t do the right thing, too bad. I don’t care. The only person I owe an explanation to is Mr. President.”

Barrister Wike stressed that his decisions are driven solely by a commitment to good governance and national progress, rather than any regional or religious affiliations. “I’m not doing it because I’m from a certain place or I belong to a certain religion. I’m doing it because I have to support the government, I have to make a difference,” he said.

The Minister also reiterated the FCTA’s firm stance on collecting outstanding ground rents, some dating back 30 years, to combat impunity and ensure the availability of funds for infrastructure development. He dismissed claims of insufficient notice, stating that the condition for ground rent payment is clearly outlined in title grants.

He challenged those complaining about the enforcement to acknowledge and pay up their ground rent arrears, emphasizing that without revenue, essential infrastructure cannot be provided.

Speaking on the upcoming project commissioning spree in the FCT to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year anniversary, the Minister announced an ambitious 19-day program, commencing on June 10th. He said President Tinubu is expected to personally commission some key projects, including the long-awaited International Conference Centre, while other senior officials will also inaugurate additional impactful initiatives. This will be followed by the flag-off of new projects slated for completion to celebrate the President’s third year in office.

Addressing concerns about Transparency and Accountability in Financial Management, following the FCTA’s exit from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Barrister Wike explained that projects exceeding N10 billion require Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval, preceded by Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) assessment. Payments to contractors, he added, are milestone-based, adhering to the procurement act.

He stressed that exiting the TSA has removed bureaucratic bottlenecks, enabling the FCTA to access funding through its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and participate in the larger financial market, thereby accelerating project execution.

On efforts to improve mass transportation and bolster security, the Minister announced the provision of bus terminals in Mabushi, Kugbo, and the Central Business District. These terminals, he said, will be inaugurated by President Tinubu this month, with budgetary provisions for buses to be run by profiled and registered private operators, supervised by the FCT Transport Secretariat.