The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has lamented the worsening security and healthcare challenges in the FCT, just as he called for urgent and coordinated national intervention.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during the 2025 budget defence at the Senate, stressing the critical role of Abuja as the seat of power and diplomatic hub, which demands a unique and strategic security arrangement.
“You cannot talk about autonomy in a city where the President resides, where the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and every corporate head of the country operate from.
“The security of this city is not something we can handle alone,” he stated
The minister disclosed that the FCT Administration is already engaging national security institutions such as the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services to ensure stronger coordination.
“This city requires total security architecture because of its national importance.
“We have begun serious collaboration with national security agencies. We can’t afford failure in this area,” he added.
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 issues we face here are complicated and cannot be solved in isolation. We need a coordinated effort that brings all stakeholders together,” he said.
On the healthcare front, Wike announced the recent acquisition of modern diagnostic equipment aimed at improving public health services across the FCT.
“As of Tuesday, we completed procurement processes for an MRI and CT scan machine. These will be delivered to our health facilities soon,” Wike said.
The minister said the equipment marks a step forward in the FCT Administration’s broader plan to enhance access to quality medical care.