Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended the construction of residential quarters for judges in Abuja, insisting that the initiative is not intended as an inducement but rather a measure to improve the welfare and productivity of judicial officers.
Gatekeepers News reports that Wike, during his monthly live media chat, said the project was designed to provide a conducive environment for members of the judiciary to perform their duties effectively.
“Look at this environment. Why would anyone work here and not be motivated to perform?” the minister said.
“Go and see the residences of judges, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court; they are all properly furnished and maintained.
“The essence is to provide what will enable the judiciary to perform effectively without complaints. Welfare is important, and the working environment is equally critical.”
Wike argued that improving workplace conditions across public institutions enhances service delivery, noting that similar interventions have been extended to other government agencies.
According to him, the same philosophy informed his support for infrastructure projects involving the National Assembly, the Nigeria Police Force and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Rivers State, Wike recalled the poor condition of some judicial facilities, particularly the Court of Appeal.
He said the court operated under conditions that were unbefitting of the judiciary, with visitors sometimes forced to sit on plastic chairs whenever it rained.
“Is this the kind of office the judiciary should have?” he asked.
“Regardless of how much money is allocated, if people work in a conducive environment, they are more likely to give their best.”
The former Rivers governor also highlighted efforts made to strengthen judicial infrastructure in the state, especially in handling industrial disputes.
He explained that a significant number of industrial cases originating from Rivers State were being heard in neighbouring Bayelsa State due to inadequate facilities.
“I said no, this cannot continue,” Wike said.
“We encouraged the National Industrial Court to build a befitting court facility so that people would no longer have to travel from Rivers State to Bayelsa for industrial matters.”
He further recalled intervention in the Federal High Court during his administration in Rivers State, describing its previous condition as unacceptable.
“If you had seen the condition of the court before, you would have asked, ‘What kind of government allows this?’” he said.
“We said no. For a state like Rivers, such conditions were simply unacceptable.”
