The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has presented 12 newly acquired ambulances to hospitals across the territory in a bid to strengthen emergency healthcare services in Abuja.
The handover ceremony, held on Thursday in Abuja, highlighted the FCT Administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery, especially in emergency and life-threatening situations.
Speaking at the event, Wike said the procurement of the ambulances forms part of the administration’s wider investment in critical sectors such as road infrastructure, education and healthcare. He stressed that effective emergency response depends largely on good road networks.
According to him, without functional roads, emergency vehicles risk becoming ineffective when patients require urgent assistance. He explained that prioritising road construction was essential to ensuring ambulances can operate efficiently.
The minister also disclosed that the FCT Administration is currently rehabilitating and equipping 14 health centres across the territory. In addition, he said directives have been issued to the FCT Head of Civil Service and other relevant authorities to recruit more healthcare personnel.
“For us, we will do everything possible to give our people the best,” Wike said.
Earlier, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Olalodipo Fasawe, described the acquisition and deployment of the ambulances as a major boost to emergency healthcare in the FCT.
She noted that the initiative reflects the administration’s focus on people-centred governance, emergency readiness and improved health outcomes for residents.
Dr Fasawe also pointed out that ongoing road projects across the FCT have significantly improved access to healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas. She cited the A2 to Pai road linking communities such as Abaji, Kwali and Gwagwalada, where travel time has been reduced from about one and a half hours to roughly 30 minutes.
She further praised the administration for clearing outstanding healthcare workers’ allowances dating back to 2021, including hazard allowances, wage awards and the medical residency training fund.
Dr Fasawe added that the upgrading of the FCT School of Nursing to a College of Nursing reflects a deliberate effort by the administration to deliver accessible, high-quality and responsible healthcare services to residents of the territory.