Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory’s minister, has bemoaned the FCT’s deteriorating security and healthcare issues while urging swift and well-coordinated national action.
Wike stressed the importance of Abuja as the seat of power and a diplomatic center, which necessitates a special and strategic security system, in his remarks during the Senate’s 2025 budget defense on Wednesday.
“You cannot discuss autonomy in a city that houses the president, the national security adviser, the inspector general of police, and all of the nation’s corporate leaders.
He declared, “We cannot manage this city’s security on our own.”
In order to guarantee better coordination, the minister revealed that the FCT Administration is already collaborating with national security organizations including the Department of State Services and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“Due to its national significance, this city needs a completely secure architecture.
“We’ve started working closely with national security organizations. Failure in this area is not something we can afford,” he continued.
Wike also decried the non-functional surveillance infrastructure in Abuja, attributing it to political roadblocks and administrative bottlenecks.
“You wonder why we still can’t have effective CCTV coverage in the capital. Sometimes, it is internal politics, sometimes it is outright sabotage.
“Even when projects are approved, you find people who deliberately frustrate implementation,” he lamented
Addressing demands for greater autonomy for the FCT, Wike urged caution, explaining the legal complexities involved.
“The FCT is not like any other state. You don’t have a House of Assembly here. Our laws are made by the National Assembly.
“This setup is by design and cannot be wished away,” he said.
In the health sector, Wike announced the procurement of advanced MRI and CT scanners for FCT hospitals.
“The issues we face here are complicated and cannot be solved in isolation. We need a coordinated effort that brings all stakeholders together,” he said.
To address these multi-dimensional challenges, Wike proposed a joint summit that brings together stakeholders from the security, health, and administrative sectors.
“The problems we are dealing with are complex and cannot be resolved separately. All parties involved must work together in a concerted effort, he stated.
Regarding healthcare, Wike declared that he recently acquired state-of-the-art diagnostic tools with the goal of enhancing public health services throughout the FCT.
We finished the procurement procedures for an MRI and CT scanner as of Tuesday. Our medical facilities will shortly receive these, Wike stated.
The equipment, according to the minister, is a step forward in the FCT Administration’s larger plan to improve access to high-quality healthcare.
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