Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has defended the construction of living quarters for judges in Abuja.

Mr Wike insisted that the project was not an inducement but would improve the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers.

The minister who spoke during his monthly live media chat explained the purpose of the initiative and argued that better working environments help public institutions function more effectively.

He said, “Look at this environment. Why would anyone work here and not be motivated to perform? 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.”

He said it was for the same reasons he facilitated the construction of facilities for the National Assembly and the police, and supported the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He noted that when he was the governor of Rivers State, the state had one of the worst Court of Appeal facilities, adding that whenever it rained, people sat on plastic chairs. 

“Is this the kind of office the judiciary should have? Regardless of how much money is allocated, if people work in a conducive environment, they are more likely to give their best,” he said. 

Mr Wike added that in Rivers State, many industrial matters had to be taken to Bayelsa State for adjudication, even though about 80 per cent of those cases originated from Rivers.

“I said no, this cannot continue. 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 said.

He also noted how he intervened in the Federal High Court, adding, “If you had seen the condition of the court before, you would have asked, ‘What kind of government allows this?’ We said no. For a state like Rivers, such conditions were simply unacceptable.”