Even Wike’s Critics Must Acknowledge Abuja’s Development, Lokpobiri Says

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, insisting that even his critics must acknowledge the changes taking place in the nation’s capital.

Lokpobiri made the remarks on Tuesday after accompanying Wike on an inspection of several road and bridge projects across the Federal Capital Territory.

The projects inspected included the ISEX 2 road, Southern Parkway and the S1 road around the Fire Station in Gaduwa.

The petroleum minister described the pace of infrastructure development in Abuja over the past three years as unprecedented, saying he had not witnessed a similar level of project execution since moving to the capital.

“I have lived in Abuja for about 19 years, but I have never seen projects flagged off in July reach this level of completion within such a short time,” he said.

Lokpobiri recalled relocating to Abuja in 2007 after his election to the Senate, adding that the scale of ongoing construction had surprised him.

“The level of development we have seen in Abuja is unprecedented. Those of you who are journalists in Abuja can attest to the fact that even if you don’t like the FCT minister, you will give it to him that he will do the infrastructure, that even you too will benefit from,” he said.

He also disclosed that despite living about two kilometres from one of the bridges near the National Assembly quarters in Apo, he had not fully appreciated the progress of the projects until he joined Wike for the inspection.

Lokpobiri urged Nigerians to support public officials who deliver on their responsibilities, regardless of personal disagreements or political differences.

“Nigerians should encourage leaders who are delivering on their responsibilities, even if they do not personally like them, because Wike has changed Abuja’s landscape, and the development can only improve,” he added.

His comments come amid continued public debate over Wike’s leadership of the FCT, particularly regarding infrastructure development, project execution and the administration’s priorities.