Wike slams David Mark’s infrastructure record, defends Tinubu’s achievements

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has sharply criticized the infrastructure development record of former Senate President David Mark. Wike contended that President Bola Tinubu's administration has surpassed Mark's achievements in road projects within just three years, compared to Mark's entire period in national leadership.

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African Democratic Congress has conceded that in terms of road infrastructure, Mr President has done very, very well. Without roads, you cannot go to hospital, you cannot go to school, and you cannot go to farm. Roads are the bedrock of development in any society.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Interchange at the Arterial Road N16–Ring Road II Junction in Abuja, Wike pointed to the African Democratic Congress's acknowledgment of the current administration's success in road infrastructure. "Without roads, you cannot go to hospital, you cannot go to school, and you cannot go to farm. Roads are the bedrock of development in any society," Wike stated, emphasizing their importance.

Wike specifically questioned Mark's contributions, citing the Akwanga-Makurdi road project, which he claimed remained in poor condition despite being awarded during Mark's leadership. He contrasted this with the current situation, where people can now travel freely to Makurdi and Otukpo by road, a convenience he suggested even Mark now benefits from.

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The poor people could not afford to travel to Makurdi because there was no road. But David Mark, as Senate President then, was flying helicopters. Today, because of the intervention of this administration, people can drive freely to Makurdi and Otukpo. The same David Mark, who once relied on helicopters, can now travel by road too.

The minister also praised the Tinubu administration for its commitment to governance continuity, citing the Jahi-Gwarimpa interchange project. This project, he noted, was awarded before the current government took office but saw little progress until the present administration intervened. Wike stressed that completing projects for the public good, regardless of their origin, is what truly matters.

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One of the problems of development in Nigeria is that new administrations often abandon projects initiated by their predecessors. But President Tinubu has shown that the government is a continuum. What matters is completing projects for the benefit of the people, regardless of who awarded them.