Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu earmarked N25 billion for healthcare projects in the FCT as part of the current administration to improve healthcare services in the territory.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the minister as making this disclosure on Thursday during the inauguration of the construction of Arterial Road N1 from Wuye District to Ring Road II in Abuja.
Wike’s comments were sequel to online media critics, who accused him of prioritising road infrastructure projects to the neglect of other sectors, including the healthcare, in the FCT.
While debunking the allegation that contrary to insinuations in certain quarters, the minister maintained that there was no sector that was neglected in the development of the FCT.
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He dismissed the criticisms and threats of protests over perceived neglect of other sectors, insisting that such moves would not derail the present administration’s agenda.
The minister clarified: “Nobody will blackmail me. Nobody will stop me from doing what I think is right. Enough is enough. They will fight me, but I am fully prepared.
“I will do things right because Mr President has taken it upon himself to change the narrative, as far as Abuja is concerned,” he assured.
Speaking on the road projects in the FCT, Wike said that the projects were not for personal gain, but for the economic growth and welfare of the FCT residents.
He said: “This road is not my road, it’s not the Minister’s road; it’s for the people of Abuja. By the time we develop all these roads, Abuja will be competing with other cities in the world.”
It would be recalled that resident doctors in Abuja, under the aegis of the Association of Resident Doctors, FCT Administration (ARD-FCTA), had on September 15 commenced an indefinite industrial action over unpaid salaries, stalled promotions, and worsening hospital conditions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The doctors’ demands include the payment of outstanding salaries, release of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, correction of erroneous salary deductions, and promotion of post-Part II Fellows to Consultant cadre.
Others are settlement of wage award arrears, urgent renovation of FCTA hospitals, recruitment of new doctors before the end of 2025, payment of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears, and clearance of outstanding payments owed to external residents.
