The President of the Helpline Social Support Initiative and convener of African Women Conference, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, has commended the laudable infrastructural development, governance reforms and institutional expansion Abuja has witnessed under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, over the past three years.
She shared her introspection at the FCT Administration’s unveiling of 31 projects for commissioning and flag-off ceremonies across Abuja as Nigeria marks the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Federal Capital Territory.
In her review, Dr Ahmadu disclosed that the administration has completed and initiated a number of projects aimed at improving transportation, healthcare, public service delivery and institutional efficiency across the territory.
“In less than three years, Abuja has witnessed a scale of infrastructural development, governance reforms, urban renewal, and institutional expansion that many residents and stakeholders say is unmatched since the creation of the Federal Capital Territory in 1976,” Ahmadu said.
The spotlighted projects include the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), Airport–Kuje Highway, Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), the Court of Appeal Complex in Dakibiyu, judges’ quarters, water supply networks in Karu and Bwari, the Kuje–Gwagwalada Dual Carriageway, Transit Way N2 and the remodelled Abuja City Gate.
Ahmadu noted that road construction and rehabilitation projects have also been extended to satellite towns and Area Councils, including Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, Abaji and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
“Perhaps for the first time in many years, Area Councils are also witnessing massive government presence. Roads in Kwali, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, Abaji, and AMAC are either completed or under construction, bringing development closer to communities that previously suffered years of neglect,” she stated.
On governance reforms, she said the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission had created new opportunities for career progression within the administration, while the creation of the Women Affairs and Youth Secretariats had strengthened institutional coordination and inclusion.
Dr Jumai Ahmadu, who is also the Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), noted that the reform had ended the routine deployment of federal permanent secretaries to the FCTA and enabled civil servants within the territory to advance to senior leadership positions.
The health sector, she stated, has also recorded improvements through the establishment of oxygen plants at Maitama, Asokoro, Bwari and Abaji hospitals, as well as the inauguration of a 20-bed Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Centre at Gwarimpa Hospital.
Ahmadu further stated that more than 10,000 residents benefited from free medical outreach programmes conducted in Kuje and Bwari, while over 225 surgeries were performed during the exercise.
She pointed out that vulnerable residents had also been enrolled into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme as part of efforts to expand access to healthcare services.
She also said investments had equally been made in emergency response systems, ambulances, medical equipment and healthcare infrastructure upgrades.
According to her, to the Minister’s credit, security agencies operating within the FCT have received operational vehicles and logistics support to enhance response capabilities and strengthen coordination.
She also highlighted ongoing investments in judicial infrastructure, including the construction of judges’ quarters and the completion of a new Court of Appeal Complex.
“One of the most symbolic achievements of the current administration is the massive investment in judicial infrastructure,” Ahmadu said.
As part of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the FCT, she said the administration would present the Abuja @50 Compendium, a publication documenting the capital city’s history, development and future aspirations.
Ahmadu expressed optimism that ongoing projects would continue to improve service delivery and support sustainable development across the territory.
