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• Orders recruitment of more personnel
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has commended the Health and Environmental Secretariat for delivering ambulance buses to boost emergency services across hospitals in the city, while outlining ongoing reforms and urging workers to shun sabotage.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Wike congratulated Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, and her team. “Let me first of all congratulate the Mandate Secretary and staff of the Health and Environmental Secretariat for driving this to fruition. This is the support for the FCT to support the emergency services as it relates to the health system,” he said.
He highlighted the administration’s clearance of inherited debts, preventing strikes. “Nobody went to strike. Even though those debts were being owed, but thank God, for the grace of God that we were able to pay off all these debts,” Wike noted, adding that every sector receives attention despite criticisms over road and education priorities. “Ambulances may break down when there are no good roads… first things first, and that’s what we have been able to do.”
Wike announced procurement for rehabilitating and furnishing 14 health centres and directed the Head of Service to recruit more health personnel. “The chairman of services here… has been directed to employ personnel for the health services. And for us, we will do everything possible to give our people the best.”
Turning stern, he warned against worker sabotage and politicisation of issues. “To workers, and to some of us who are management staff, who sabotage the efforts of government… If you make a request or a demand of five items, for example, and the government says okay, we can take up these three items… If you are really sincere… there is no way you will not accept. But when you leave it and begin to join us as politicians, we will first treat you as politicians.”
The minister dismissed litigation as unproductive, stressing dialogue. “Litigation is not the best, but we have no choice after we have pleaded… It’s unfortunate. People say we ought to obey court order. That means we’re a lawless society.”
Wike reflected on achievements, noting that permanent secretaries and a civil service commission were first established under his leadership. “Before this administration came… nobody has been a permanent secretary since the inception of Federal Capital Territory Administration. They’ve never had head of service before. They’ve never had their own civil service commission before.”
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Earlier, Fasawe hailed the commissioning of 12 new ambulances as a pivotal boost to emergency healthcare in the Federal Capital Territory.
She described the event as “a significant milestone in strengthening emergency healthcare delivery in this city.” She emphasised its broader impact, stating, “This initiative goes beyond the provision of just ambulances. It reflects our commitment to people-centred governance, emergency preparedness, and improved health outcomes for all who reside in the FCT.”
Fasawe credited Wike’s infrastructure focus for enhancing medical response times. “Under the focused leadership of the Honourable Minister, we have been able to see strategic investment in road infrastructure across the whole city. This has directly impacted on healthcare. For example, in areas like Abaji, Kwali, Gwagwalada, the A2 to Pai construction has made a journey that used to be one and a half hours when we resumed here, to a journey of about 30 minutes now.”
She outlined a comprehensive health-systems approach under the administration. “It is also important to say that this administration has demonstrated a clear understanding of health systems. The truth, I must say, is that health systems is not only infrastructure and buildings. It consists of immunisation, insurance, and most importantly, human resource in health.”
Fasawe highlighted financial interventions, noting, “It is heartwarming that this administration has paid allowances that have been due, some even since 2021. I wish to particularly refer to the 13 months’ hazard allowance for healthcare workers and wage award. The medical residency training fund. I can confidently say that FCT is the only state that has paid all these allowances up to date.”
Additional achievements include upgrading the School of Nursing to a College of Nursing. “There have been many other interventions including the upgrade of the School of Nursing to a full-fledged College of Nursing, making it the first College of Nursing also in this area of the country,” she said.
Fasawe concluded that these efforts represent “a deliberate and coordinated effort to deliver accessible, high-quality and responsible healthcare for the people of the FCT.” She expressed gratitude, saying, “On behalf of the health sector, we sincerely appreciate you, sir, honourable minister, for this support and commitment. Thank you. God bless you.”
