Wike Flags off Arterial Road Construction in Abuja- Ekohotblog

FCT Minister Wike vows not to be blackmailed amid planned health workers’ protests.
⁠Minister highlights N25 billion allocation for health in FCT’s 2025 budget.
⁠Road project flagged off aims to boost economic activities and improve welfare in Abuja.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on flags off the construction of the Arterial Road N1 linking Wuye District to Ring Road II in Abuja on Thursday.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Minister took a swipe at the intended protest by health workers.

He declared that he will not be intimidated or blackmailed in the performance of his official duties.

The protest is amid concerns over their unpaid allowances and demands for improved healthcare services.

While flagging off the road, the minister acknowledged that protests are a democratic right but emphasized his determination to continue with his work without yielding to pressure.
He said,

“The Department of State Services informed me about the planned protests claiming that we are focusing on roads instead of healthcare.

Demonstrations are permitted everywhere, but no one will coerce me or stop me from doing what I believe is right and timely.”

Wike stressed that the road project is not a personal initiative but a public infrastructure aimed at boosting economic activities and improving the welfare of residents.

“This road isn’t just for me or anyone else; it’s for the people. Regarding the health workers’ claims of unpaid allowances, we recently appointed an acting Head of Service to look into it, and we’re also moving to recruit more doctors,” he added.

The minister further revealed that the FCT’s 2025 budget allocates N25 billion specifically for health.

“Critics say we’re ignoring healthcare, but in our 2025 capital budget, N25 billion has been set aside for health. Our budget was approved by the National Assembly in July,” Wike noted.