The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has raised concerns over the sluggish procurement processes hampering Nigeria’s healthcare development. Reflecting on his time as a state governor, he reiterated his earlier call for amendments to the Procurement Act, which, he lamented, still hasn’t been addressed.
Responding to a question from Shagari Sambo regarding abandoned hospital projects in Utako, Gwagwalada, and Buhari, which his administration inherited, Wike said he understood the costs of private healthcare. However, he insisted that preserving lives remains the top priority and disagreed with the notion that citizens were being deliberately milked.
He explained that the Utako project faced structural and legal challenges, many of which are now nearing resolution. Once settled, the project will proceed. Meanwhile, renovation works are already underway at Gwarinpa and other hospitals. He stressed the need for proper coordination among various stakeholders to ensure quality and timely delivery of health infrastructure.
Wike also expressed dissatisfaction with how hospitals are built across Nigeria, describing many of them as substandard in both design and execution.
On the matter of land reforms, News Central journalist, Amadin Uyi queried the irregularities surrounding land allocations by area councils. He highlighted that many allottees, despite possessing documents, struggle to access their land.
Wike clarified that the Supreme Court had ruled there is no such thing as “area council land.” Hence, the push for regularisation rather than cancellation. He explained that several applicants missed the 21-day payment deadline. Others hold Rights of Occupancy (RoO) without progressing to Certificates of Occupancy (CoO), using the RoOs to speculate and trade lands, depriving the government of vital revenue.
He also criticised developers who acquire land for mass housing but sell it off in bits—violating agreements. He noted that many plots remain undeveloped, fostering shanties and raising security concerns. He concluded by revealing that land revenues supplement federal allocations to cover salary payments in the FCT.
