By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has defended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against criticism over the recent flooding in parts of Abuja.
Agbese, a Labour Party lawmaker representing the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, made his position known in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said residents must also take responsibility for human activities that contribute to environmental challenges, arguing that it was unfair to blame Wike for the disaster given the massive infrastructure drive across the territory.
The lawmaker said the FCT Administration had embarked on several critical projects aimed at improving roads, drainage systems, transportation, and other public facilities.
“Blaming Wike for the flood in the FCT is like the Israelites blaming Moses for helping them to the Promised Land.
“At some point, we must appreciate transformative leadership and understand that government cannot solve every problem without the cooperation of the people,” he said.
Agbese noted that infrastructure development under the current administration has been extended beyond the Abuja city centre into various satellite towns.
He disclosed that out of 317 kilometres of road projects awarded in satellite towns, 221 kilometres have been completed since President Bola Tinubu took office.
He also highlighted key infrastructure milestones completed and inaugurated by the FCT Administration, including the Gwarimpa-Jahi Interchange, Airport-Kuje Road, Kuje-Gwagwalada Road, and sections of the Outer Southern Expressway.
The federal lawmaker described the FCT Minister as a prophet who is not honored in his home country, noting that his efforts were earning recognition even as some residents remained fixated on isolated challenges.
“Wike is like the Biblical prophet who is not honoured at home.
“At a time the man is being celebrated globally, some persons are still calling him names.
“We should be able to acknowledge the good works being done while also demanding that areas requiring improvement are addressed,” he stated.
Speaking further on the heavy downpours, Agbese stated that flooding should be viewed as a shared responsibility.
He explained that rapid expansion, population growth, and ongoing construction in Abuja continue to exert heavy pressure on natural drainage channels and waterways.
He specifically condemned the indiscriminate dumping of refuse, pointing out that residents frequently clog major gutters and drainage channels with waste before heavy rains occur.
“Residents also have a role to play.
“You cannot dump refuse into waterways and drainage channels and then turn around to blame the minister when the rain comes, and the water has nowhere to pass,” Agbese said.
He urged members of the public to stop using drainage paths as waste dumps and to promptly report blocked or encroached waterways to the appropriate authorities.
The lawmaker equally tasked the FCT Administration to maintain ongoing investments in flood-control infrastructure while enforcing strict sanctions against illegal dumping and structure encroachments on waterways.
Agbese charged residents to view themselves as active partners in the growth and development of the nation’s capital rather than passive onlookers.
“Abuja belongs to all of us.
“We must work with the FCT Administration to protect the infrastructure being provided and keep our communities clean.
“Government has its responsibilities, but citizens also have theirs,” he said.
He urged citizens to support government efforts, stressing that constructive criticism must go hand in hand with civic responsibility.
Agbese added that the ultimate objective should be building an FCT capable of handling population growth, extreme weather, and urban pressures, rather than reducing every public challenge to political blame.
