Abuja: The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has commended the Coordinator, FCT Satellite Towns Development Department, Mr Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, for outstanding performance.
Wike gave the commendation in Abuja on Wednesday, during the inauguration of the dualised and upgraded Ushafa to War College/Army Checkpoint roads and other ancillary roads in the Bwari Area Council.
The project was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, to celebrate his second year in office.
The minister said that for anybody to survive working with him, “then you know he would work anywhere and survive.”
He explained that Zulkiflu effectively supervised the execution of several projects sited in satellite towns of the FCT and delivered them beyond expectations.
He recalled advising the coordinator when he was appointed to head the satellite towns department that he had to show capacity, so that those who recommended him would not be disappointed.
Describing Zilkiflu as a “young boy”, Wike said that he proved to him beyond a reasonable doubt that he was fitted for the job.
“I told him that you cannot be nominated to hold a position like this and not perform. It is not to come and carry chop, you must work; you must make sacrifices.
“I have never allowed him to sleep one day, never and now he is well equipped.
“Mr President, I can tell you today, this young man has not disappointed anybody.
“Sir, I hardly talk about people. When you see me say somebody is doing well, sir, the person is doing well,” he said.
Wike pointed out that many people had received appointments but thought they were just for publicity.
He, however, said that some people like Zulkiflu get appointments and take them as an opportunity to express themselves and demonstrate their capacity to deliver on their tasks.
“This young man has shown that he has the capacity. I am confident that he will continue to deliver, and I would like to commend him.
“I want to commend him for the good job. He’s done well even when I gave him problems and sleepless nights.
“I don’t know whether he has a wife. If he has, I’m pitying the wife because the man would not be happy to say, I’m in trouble, I’m in trouble.
“So, if he has a wife, I want to apologise to the wife that I gave your husband so much trouble, so many sleepless nights, but it’s a good one,” he said.
Wike said that the 16.4-kilometre road project was awarded to Abdul Val Construction Company, in line with the Tinubu administration’s directive to encourage local contractors.
The minister said he was sceptical about the contractor’s capacity to deliver, adding, however, that after about 15 inspection visits, the contractor had delivered on time and within the expected standard.
Earlier, Zulkiflu thanked Tinubu for the coordinated execution of development projects in the FCT.
He said the residents of the satellite towns remain supportive of the administration’s developmental agenda.