₦airaland Forum

1. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 conducted a routine inspection of several key infrastructure projects currently underway in the FCT.

2. Projects inspected include the 15-kilometer left-hand service carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring Road 1 to Wasa Junction, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal complex in Dakibiyu, Jabi District and the 5-kilometer Saburi road.

3. Addressing journalists after the inspection, Barr. Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work across all sites. He stated that he had received assurances from the contractors that the projects would be completed within the stipulated timeframes, adding that the FCTA was also closely monitoring the quality of work, as evidenced by the routine inspection of the various construction sites.

4. The Minister said, “We were at the OSEX, which CGC is carrying out. They have assured us that they will hand over that OSEX by May. I believe them. This is not the first time they have made a promise and fulfilled it, so I have no reason to doubt them. We then went to the Court of Appeal Division of Abuja. The contractor has restated that by September 2025, by the grace of God, they will still hand over.”

5. Highlighting the successful completion of the Saburi road project, the Minister emphasized that the contractors promised to deliver the project by December 2024, and commended them for fulfilling their commitment.

6. He said similar progress was also being made on other road projects in the FCT Area Councils, and others were nearing completion. “We anticipate commissioning these projects by January, God willing," the Minister said.


7. Addressing concerns raised by some individuals regarding the publication of the names of plot owners yet to pay their Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) fees, the Minister clarified that the list was generated from existing records and that individuals with proof of payment would be addressed accordingly. He further stated that the grace period for land allottees to pay their C of O fees would not be extended.

8. Emphasizing the need for compliance and the importance of revenue generation for FCT’s development, he explained that some of the land allocations dated back to 10 years, adding, “We believe it is essential for individuals to fulfill their obligations. After the grace period expires, these lands will be reallocated to interested parties.".

9. When asked about distractions and how they may affect his developmental strides in the FCT in 2025, the Minister reiterated that nothing distracts him, insisting that he remains intensely focused on achieving his mandate in the FCT.

10. He said complaints were an inherent part of governance and that it was unrealistic to expect to satisfy everyone. He said, “These complaints will not deter us from our mission. We are committed to fulfilling our responsibilities and achieving the best possible outcomes for most of our residents

11. Emphasizing the importance of continued progress, the Minister stressed the need to adhere to regulations in the FCT and the inevitability of demolishing illegal structures if the need arose.

12. He said the public will ultimately recognize the value of the FCTA's difficult decisions, adding, “Our focus remains on what is right and achieving the best possible results for the majority of our residents, not for a select few."

13. Looking ahead to 2025, the Minister expressed gratitude for the year 2024 and optimism for a more prosperous year 2025. He called upon FCT residents and business owners to continue supporting the administration's efforts towards achieving greater development in the coming year.

14. He said, "We are grateful for the blessings of 2024 and believe that 2025 holds even greater promise. We urge residents and business owners to continue supporting our efforts as we strive to exceed our accomplishments from the previous year”.

1. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has expressed his satisfaction with the progress of ongoing construction work at the Judges Quarters in Katampe District and other key infrastructure projects within the city.


2. The Minister made his feelings known in Abuja on Monday, December 30, 2024, while addressing journalists shortly after an inspection visit to the Judges Quarters in Katampe District and the access roads, including the interchange at the RR1 and Shehu Shagari Expressway by N16.

3. The Minister observed significant advancements in the construction of the Judges' Quarters and the access roads and described them as remarkable.

4. He said, "From the junction, you can see the roads surrounding the Judges Quarters – it's something else entirely. The level of work carried out in the Judges Quarters is truly amazing. And look at this place; from the last time we came, we couldn't even reach this point, and the company has now finished this major culvert. We are very happy with the progress."

5. The Minister emphasized that the projects align with the current administration's Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to deliver tangible improvements to the lives of FCT residents.

6. He said, "Those living here never believed they could see this level of development. This is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about – giving Nigerians back the hope that has been lost."

7. Addressing concerns about the potential removal of properties along the road corridor, the Minister clarified that the government would adhere to proper procedures. He said, "Relocation and compensation will be handled according to due process," adding, "We will ensure that all affected residents are fairly compensated for any property acquired for the road project."

8. The Minister appealed to the community to cooperate and support the project, highlighting its significant benefits to the area.

9. "Imagine how it was and see how it is now. When it is finished with streetlights everywhere, it will benefit them," the Minister stressed.

10. When asked to evaluate his performance as minister so far, Barrister Wike said he was not in a position to do so and said, "We have a presidential monitoring team, and they will evaluate our performance. "But I am delighted with what the government has achieved in the FCT.

1. The FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has charged security agencies in the FCT to work toward making the territory safe for residents to enjoy the end of year festivities.

2. Barr. Wike gave the charge during the FCT Security committee meeting held on Friday, December 20, 2024 ahead of the yuletide.

3. The Minister said the meeting was called to ascertain the level of preparedness of the security agencies for the security of lives and property of all residents, stressing that residents should be able to sleep with their eyes closed at all times.

4. He said, “Normally criminals will like to take advantage and try to make it uncomfortable for our citizens. I believe we are prepared to provide security for us. You have done well, you have done good policing, but we will not fold our arms and say things are ok now.


5. “We have to continue to be vigilant, to make sure that there is no room for anybody to manipulate. The people in Abuja must sleep with their two eyes closed and can run their businesses”.

6. Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Tunji Disu, said the committee is intensifying efforts to ensure that the FCT is safe during and after the end of year festivities.


7. CP Disu disclosed that joint teams of all the security agencies will embark on clearance operations in the coming days and urged residents not to panic at the sight of the high-power security operatives, adding that specific places have been identified for more deployment.

8. He said, “We are intensifying our activities in all the borders. Exit and entry into the FCT. We are synergising with all the neighbouring states and focusing on all the bushes around. The Nigeria Airforce is bringing in their helicopters for surveillance of the identified areas while the Nigeria Army, Navy, NSCDC and Police are ready and already clearing the bushes.

9. “You are going to be seeing all of us patrolling together. These are sights not usually seen under normal circumstances. So, you will see us patrol together to ensure we bring peace”.

10. He thanked residents for their cooperation while soliciting for their continued support, urging them to report any suspicious person or activity to the security agencies.

FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike and his wife, Justice E.S Wike (JCA) joined the First Lady HE Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and other Nigerians at the 2024 Service of Nine Lessons and Carols with the theme "Immanuel our Restorer of Hope" held at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday, 16th of December, 2024.
Barrister Wike read the 4th lesson.

…CHARGES THEM TO TAKE THE WAR TO CRIMINALS

1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, December 12, 2024 presented 50 brand new operational vehicles to the security agencies in the FCT to support the fight against insecurity.

2. Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the FCT Minister said security was a priority of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and stressed the commitment of the FCTA to the security of the nation’s capital.

3. He said adequate provision was made in the budget of the FCT by the National Assembly for the purchase of the 50 operational vehicles, adding that the FCTA had, earlier in the year, also distributed 50 operational vehicles to the security agencies, bringing the total number to 100.

4. The Minster charged the security agencies to utilize the vehicles to protect lives and property in the Abuja city centre and the satellite towns, urging them to take the war to the criminals and not wait until they strike.

5. He said, “We must not give space, we must not allow the criminals to strike before we go in. We have to take the war to them, let them know that we are serious. So, this festive period, make sure that you don’t give them any gap”.

6. Barr. Wike who noted that there is improvement in FCT’s security situation, especially a reduction in kidnapping incidents in the rural areas, commended the security agencies and pledged the continued support of the FCT Administration.

7. He disclosed that 12 police divisions were currently being constructed in the six Area Councils of the FCT as was requested by the FCT Police Commissioner, and assured that the divisions would be completed, furnished, and handed over to the police by April next year.

8. Noting that the difficult terrain and remoteness of the FCT Area Council were militating against the fight against insecurity, the Minister also expressed confidence that the provision of access roads in the rural areas will also make it easier for the security agencies to operate in these areas.

9. He therefore called on FCT residents to support the security agencies, urging them to report untoward activities in their communities to nip security threats in the bud.

10. Reacting to recent accusations of land grabbing against the FCT Administration in social media, the Minister said the FCTA was not afraid of blackmail and was determined to correct anomalies in land administration in the FCT. He stressed that the FCTA would not be deterred by negative commentary in the media.

11. He said “Let me use this opportunity to tell Nigerians and the residents of the FCT that we are not afraid of blackmail. In fact, you cannot be in this kind of position and you say you will not be blackmailed, particularly as regards this Abuja where there are so many land grabbers.

12. “Some of us have come to put our feet down. Let heaven fall. It is even better that heaven comes down now so that we will not be fasting again to go to heaven. We will stop anybody who thinks that he can take the government's land for whatever reason without formal approval.

13. “We will not look at your face. If you like, you can be a civil rights activist. If you like, you can be a television talker. What is wrong is wrong. No amount of blackmail can stop us..If you want land, you know the right thing to do, you know the right step to take. But through blackmail, you won’t get it”.

14. The Minister also used the opportunity to warn ground rent and other land tax defaulters that the government would not hesitate to revoke their land titles.

15. He said the FCT Administration requires revenue to provide infrastructure in the FCT and pay staff salaries, adding that the allocation from the Federal Government alone was not sufficient.

16. He said, “I have published the names in the newspapers and people think I’m joking. All of you are saying we are providing vehicles, with which money. What does the FCT get in a month from the Federal Government allocation? If the FG gets N1 trillion in a month, for example, we take 1 percent and that is N10 billion. There is no oil here. We are not collecting derivations. It’s only what the Federal government gets, they give us one percent.

17. “You are talking about Wike is working, roads here, flyovers there. You own a property, pay your ground rent, you won’t pay. Then every day you say Wike is working. Will he work with his blood?”, he asked[/b]

...Sustenance Of Constitutional Democracy Depends On Judicial Independence

1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said that the stability of the Nigerian State and the suitability of its constitutional democracy rests largely on the independence of the judiciary.

2. The FCT Minister stated this while delivering a paper on judicial Independence at the 2024 annual Court of Appeal Justices conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. He said the judiciary, as an arm of government, must be free from interference, either by the Legislative and executive arms of government or other individuals, to guarantee its integrity and independence.

3. He added that the judiciary, as recognized in the principle of separation of powers, should be able to perform its adjudicatory role based on the law and facts presented before it in individual cases without any external influence or interference from the executive or legislature.

4. The Minister said, “The court can neither safeguard the personal liberties of the citizens nor protect and defend the constitution against infractions unless it is independent of the legislative and the executive arms of government, including other individuals, groups, and institutions in the performance of its onerous duty to administer justice to all manner of persons without fear or favor, affection or ill will”.

5. Highlighting other vital roles of the judiciary, including its function of ensuring that the legislature and Executive arms of government act within their constitutional limits, the Minister said the need to ensure judicial independence cannot be overemphasized.

6. To preserve the judiciary's independence, the Minister called for appropriate machinery for appointing judges, security of tenure of office for Judges, and financial autonomy for the judiciary, among others.

7. The Minister also said Judges must be courageous in discharging their duties without fear of criticism or intimidation.

8. He said, “You cannot do your work without people criticizing you. We have all kinds of strategies to do anything to make sure that cases do not go on. But you must be a courageous judge to stand firm”.

[b]9. Barr. Wike, who also noted that housing and remuneration for judicial officials have a direct bearing on the independence of the judges, said the provision of decent accommodation for judicial officers on an owner-occupier basis will go a long way in preserving the independence and integrity of the judiciary.

10. He said, “When a Judge is retiring, and he has no home, that judge will be tempted to do one or two things. But if a Judge is retiring today and has a home, he has a shelter; it will make that Judge independent”.

11. “That’s why when I was Governor of Rivers State, I made it mandatory that at least no judge would say I would retire tomorrow without having decent accommodation, those who wanted the house and those who wanted it to be monetized.

12. “It’s a factor, and I recommend this to the States and Federal Government, and that’s what we have started to do now in the FCT by making sure that every FCT Judge, on retirement, has a home”.[/b]


13. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving an enhanced salary structure and pension for judicial officials and expressed confidence that it will encourage them to guard their independence jealously. He added that the judiciary equally owes itself the responsibility of guarding its independence by standing up to those who trample upon it.


PHOTO CAPTIONS

1)FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike delivering a paper titled 'Judicial Independence' at the Court of Appeal Justices annual conference held in Abuja, on Wednesday

3)L-R)FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, former President, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, President , Nigerian Courts of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban Mensem at the annual conference of the Court of Appeal Justices held in Abuja on Wednesday

4)Justice Eberechi Suzette Obuzor Wike(L) presenting a plaque to FCT Minister, Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike at the annual conference of the Court of Appeal Justices held in Abuja on Wednesday

The Hon. Minister of the FCT Barrister Nyesom Wike received the visiting President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Tuesday night.
The Minister presented the symbolic key to the city of Abuja to the German President.

…SAYS PROJECT WILL BRIDGE DISCONNECT BETWEEN ABUJA CITY CENTRE AND THE RURAL AREAS

1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said that the provision of rural infrastructure will bridge the disconnect between the Abuja city centre and the FCT Area Councils and also discourage rural urban migration.

2. The FCT Minister said this during the flag-off of the construction of the 15-kilometer A2 to Pai road project linking the Abuja-Lokoja expressway to the Pai Community in Kwali Area Council.

3. Barr. Wike observed that the disconnect between the Abuja Lokoja Expressway and the Pai Community was due to the absence of good motorable road, and said the award and construction of the A2 to Pai road project, will enhance the living condition of the people within the community as well as improve the security situation in the area.

4. He said the road project would be completed by May next year and expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor to deliver the project within the stipulated timeframe, even as he assured them of adequate funding.

5. Recounting the events that led to the flag off exercise, the Minister said, “Some few months ago when we came here to flag off the Pai to Gomani road and on our way going to that place, I was asking questions, what happened here. Why is there no road. How do you get to that area. The people going to that area must pass through this place?

6. “And we did say that we will come and flag off this road so that as the contractor is working from Pai to Gomani, then this people will work from A2 to Pai. If you add the 15-kilometer to the almost 18-kilometer from Pai to Gomani, you are talking about over 30 kilometers.

7. “You can imagine what the people here will benefit. You are talking about insecurity. Why will you not have insecurity when there are no access roads”.

8. Barr. Wike while emphasizing the need for good governance for the development of the FCT, equally acknowledged the synergy between the FCT Administration and the Area Council Chairmen, as well as the traditional rulers, saying it has brought about the accelerated development of the FCT Area Councils.

9.He also stressed the commitment of the FCT Administration to the provision of basic infrastructure the FCT Area Councils in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

10. He said, “We believe in the Renewed Hope Agenda, what the President is doing through us is to connect the satellite towns to the main city so that you don’t have to say let me go and stay in the city. By the time we provide water to the satellite towns and good roads, then you will have the positive impact of governance.

11. “I believe by the time we put solar light on this road, it will look like the city. Be assured that under Mr. President’s tenure, every promise we have made, every project we have started, we will complete all of them. We are not going to abandon any project”.

…AS HE HANDS OVER 7 OPERATIONAL VEHICLES TO THE SCHOOL AND COMMENCES CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS’ STAFF QUARTERS

1. Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has called for increased funding for the Nigerian Law School.


2. The FCT Minister made this call in Abuja on Monday, December 9, 2024, during the flag-off of the construction of 10 staff quarters and presentation of 7 operational vehicles for the Nigerian Law School in Bwari.

3. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Minister said that legal institutions could do a lot more in providing infrastructure if adequately funded and called for the amendment of the TETFUND Act to include the Nigerian Law School as a fund beneficiary.

4. He said, “I want to say it is definitely not late for the amendment of the TETFUND so that the Nigerian Law School can be included in the funding. This is a professional training school.

5. “We will give you all the necessary support to amend this Fund so that the Law School can benefit from the intervention fund. If that happens, I’m sure you will see that the difference will be clear. They will have money to provide infrastructure.”

6. Speaking on the construction of staff housing for the school by the FCT Administration, the Minister said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave the directive to ensure that infrastructure is provided for the Nigerian Law School to improve its infrastructural conditions.

7. He said there was nothing wrong with providing basic infrastructure for the school as it belonged to the federal government.

8. The Minister said, “Let me say clearly that the federal government owns this school, and there is nothing wrong with the federal government trying to provide basic infrastructure to uplift the school.

9. “It is the responsibility of the Federal Government and Mr. President mandated it, that he has heard of the decay in infrastructure because there was no fund for the Ministry of Justice, down to the Council of Legal Education; he directed that I should make sure that this infrastructure is providing

10. The Minister said the project would be completed within 8 months and assured the contractor of adequate funding.

11. Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Professor Isa Hayyatu Chiroma, said the construction of staff quarters and provision of utility vehicles will assist the school in fulfilling its mandate.

12. The DG recalled that the FCT Minister had earlier pledged to assist the school during an earlier visit to the Minister's office, describing the flag-off exercise and handing over of the operational vehicles as a promise kept.

The Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellence, Senator Kashim Shettima on Saturday, December 7, 20024 represented by the Hon. Minister of the FCT, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, at the graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Security Studies’ Executive Intelligence Management course 17, 2024 held at the Institute’s premises in Bwari, FCT.

In his address, read by the minister, the vice president urged the participants to carry forward the institution's values by showcasing courage in the face of adversity and innovation in confronting emerging security threats.

The Minister also presented the prize for the overall best-graduating participant to Mr. Abdullahi Musa of the Department of State Security.

PHOTO CAPTION
1. FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, presenting the prize for the overall best participant to Mr Abdullahi Musa.

2. FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike reading the Vice President's address at the event

3. FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike (3rd left), representing the Vice President, in a handshake with former Niger State Governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, at the graduation ceremony of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 2024 of the National Institute for Security Studies in Bwari, FCT on Saturday, 7th December 2024. 1st left is the Director General of the DSS, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi (1st left); National Security adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (2nd left and Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun (4th left)

BoldBrainz:
In a nutshell, the Judiciary is supposed to have an operational budget that covers its annual needs, as is the case with the Executive and Legislative and not to be consistently handed freebies by the Executive arm. It solidifies the concept of checks and balances as well as ensuring the independence of all government arms.

But you wouldn't know that because you have chosen to be an idiot of elephantine proportions!

1. The Chairman of the Body of Benchers of Nigeria, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, for their infrastructural intervention and support for the judicial arm of government.

2. Chief Awomolo, who spoke while flagging off the design, construction, and furnishing of the office annex of the Body of Benchers of Nigeria, also stated that the executive's support for the judiciary does not amount to interference with the independence of either arm of government.

3. The Chairman said no arm of government was sufficiently endowed with everything it required to perform its constitutional functions, adding that the makers of the Nigerian constitution also foresaw the need for support, cooperation, collaboration, and intervention of the executive arm in areas of infrastructural facilities.

4. He said, “The Body of Benchers is very grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and Chief Executive of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for approving the initiative of the Honourable Minister for the FCT, His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Life Bencher, CON for interventions of provision of basic infrastructural facilities in the Nigerian Law School, Body of Benchers and the judiciary”.

5. While describing the FCT Minister as an Ambassador of the judiciary, Chief Awomolo said g, “The infrastructural intervention now made to the Body of Benchers by the Honourable Minister is one of the Executive supports which deserve appreciation and commendation”.

6. In his remarks, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the various arms of government and stressed the FCT Administration's commitment to providing a conducive environment for the judiciary to function effectively.

7. He disclosed that provision was made in the supplementary budget of the FCT for the construction of the Body of Benchers office complex and approved by the President, even as assured that the project would be completed over the next 10 months.

8. The Minister also revealed that the President has approved the construction of 10 residential buildings for the lecturers of the Nigerian law school, which will be flagged off in the coming week.

9. He said, “It’s a public school owned by the government, and they lack basic infrastructure. Mr. President said it has to be done, and he approved the construction of 10 residential buildings for the lecturers, which will be flagged off on Monday and completed in 10 months.”

10. The Minister assured of the availability of funds for the project and thanked President Tinubu for his unwavering support for the FCT Administration.

11. Responding to a request to provide a fire service station within the Body of Benchers complex, the Minister also assured that the project would be included in the FCT's 2025 budget.

12. He said, “You can take it for granted; by 2025, we are going to establish a fire service station within this complex”.

… AS HE FLAGS OFF THE CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS ROAD IN GIRI DISTRICT


1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has reiterated the FCT Administration's commitment to developing the FCT through the provision of access roads.


2. Barr. Wike said this while flagging off the construction of the access road, leading to the site of the new Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) academy in Giri District, Abuja on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

3. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Minister said the provision of access roads would encourage the development of the real estate sector, enhance access to the markets for agricultural produce, and also decongest the Abuja city center.

4. He observed that some parts of the FCT were undeveloped due to the lack of access roads, sayiing, “With the access road, everybody will come and develop, and that is what we are looking for so that we will decongest the city.”

5. The Minister clarified that the road was not being constructed specifically for the EFCC but to open up a part of the FCT where the EFCC's new academy is also located, thereby making them a beneficiary of the road project.

6. He said, “The community is also going to benefit. People will now build houses, and farmers will bring their produce to the city. That is the whole essence of opening up everywhere.

7. “So, let it not be said that we are building roads for the EFCC. We are not building roads for the EFCC. We are building roads to open up access and develop areas and of course, they are one of the beneficiaries”.

8. The FCT Minister thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to contribute to the FCT's infrastructural development and for providing the necessary funding and support for the FCT Administration.

9. He also assured the contractor of the availability of funds and urged them to ensure the project's timely completion. He said it would be commissioned by May next year to mark the President's second anniversary in office.

...AS HE FLAGS OFF THE CONSTRUCTION OF KABUSA-KETTI ACCESS ROAD

...PROMISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL IN KETTI


1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has stressed the FCT Administration's commitment to opening up the Area Councils through the construction of rural roads, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive.

2. The Minister stated this on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, while flagging off the construction of the 10.5-kilometer Kabusa-Ketti access road in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

3. Barrister Wike said providing rural roads would improve residents' well-being, enhance access to farmlands, and improve security in rural areas.

4. He assured of adequate funding for the timely completion of the road project, which, he said, would be commissioned during President Tinubu’s second year anniversary in office.

5. while stressing that development will not be concentrated in the Abuja city center, the Minister said the Kabusa-Ketti road would be provided with streetlights as part of efforts to tackle insecurity.

6. He said, “Our effort is not to concentrate development in the city. Mr. President has directed that we must also open up all the satellite towns, and that is what we are doing today in Kabusa-Ketti”.


7. The Minister commended the residents for coming out to show appreciation for the road project and urged them to continue to support the government. He assured them that the FCT Administration would continue to interact with them to address the issues that affect them.

8 Reacting to a request written on one of the banners hoisted by community members demanding the construction of a Senior secondary school in the Ketti community, the Minister assured that the request would be granted.

9. He said, “Let me assure you, I’ve seen what you have written there without you even saying it. Let me approve that Ketti will get a Senior Secondary School”.

…DIRECTS THAT NO STUDENT IN FCT SHOULD BE OUT OF SCHOOL TO WELCOME VIPs DURING SCHOOL HOURS

… ORDERS THE IMMEDIATE RENOVATION OF GSSS KABUSA


1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 flagged off the construction of the 7-kilometer Kabusa to Takushara access road in the Abuja Municipal Area Council of the FCT.


2. Speaking during the flag-off exercise, the FCT Minister stressed the government's commitment to bringing governance closer to the grassroots to rekindle the people’s lost hope, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.


3. He added that the provision of rural infrastructure in the FCT also lends credence to the fact that governance was not concentrated in the Abuja city center but also in the rural areas.


[b]4. The Minister said that the Kabusa-Takushara road, which will be provided with streetlights, will be completed in the next six months.

5. He added that the road project, when completed, will enhance agricultural activities in the area and improve security in the nation’s capital.

6. Barr. Wike said, “What we are doing today is what the Renewed Hope Agenda is all about – giving hope back to our people. I’m sure the people of Kabusa and Takushara have lost hope that this road will ever be done. But to the glory of God and by the coming in of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, it’s a different story”.

7. Speaking further, the Minister said, “Government is no longer concentrated in the city. Government has come back to the grassroots. When a government has made a promise, it must fulfill the promise.


8. “One of the promises Mr. President made is that all of you in the satellite towns don’t think that government is about the city; we will also turn the satellite towns into cities, and they are constructing roads for you”.


9. “And I assure you, it is not about flagging off projects. In the next seven months, I want to assure you we will commission this project.


10. “For the first time, roads are constructed in the rural areas, and we will provide streetlights. It has never happened before”.[/b]

12. The FCT Minister who stressed that no student should be made to stand by the roadside to welcome VIPs , especially during school hours, also expressed displeasure at the poor state of the Government Senior Secondary School (GSSS Kabusa) along the road corridor and pledged the immediate rehabilitation of the school.

13. He said, “This should be the last time I see this happen. Nobody should bring students out of school to line up on the road. We will not accept that any longer. We are doing what we are supposed to do, so I will not accept where our students are subjected to line up to receive us. I want to appeal to the principals of the various schools not to allow this to happen next time.

14. “There will be immediate upgrading of this school to be what a school is supposed to be. I’m sure when Mr. President comes here and sees this is a school our children are learning, I will lose my job, and I don’t want to lose my job. Therefore, this school, we are going to make you happy to be what a proper school is supposed to be.”

FCT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPROVES PROCUREMENT OF FERTILIZERS FOR DRY SEASON FARMING AND DIGITIZATION OF EDUCATION CURRICULUM IN FCT SCHOOLS

…PLANS SUCCESSFUL RELOCATION OF APO MECHANICS ON ROAD CORRIDOR

1. The FCT Executive Committee has approved the procurement of fertilizers and sprayers for dry-season farming in the FCT.

2. The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Agric and Rural Development Secretariat, Malam Lawan Geidam, disclosed this while briefing journalists shortly after the FCT Executive Committee Meeting held on Monday, November 25, 2024, which was chaired by the Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

3. Giving further details, Geidam said the FCT EXCO approved the procurement of 300 metric tons of NPK, 300 metric tons of Urea, 310 NAFSAT sprayers, and 3500 liters of liquid fertilizer for irrigation farming in the FCT.

4. While thanking the Minister, the Mandate Secretary said the policy will encourage all-year farming in the FCT and improve food security in the nation’s capital.

5. He said, “As you know, the rainy season has ended. We are going into dry season farming, that is, irrigation farming. This is the first time such approval was made in the FCT to encourage, instead of annual farming or rainy season farming, let’s go into irrigation and see that we can do farming all year round".

[b]6. Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, said the contracts for procuring 1000 computers to digitize the education system in FCT Senior Secondary Schools and the contract for providing examination materials for FCT schools were also considered and approved in the course of the EXCO Meeting.

7. He said, “Because we want to digitalize the education system in the FCT, the transformation of FCT schools into a digital education system, a contract was awarded to provide over 1000 laptops attached to vocational and educational curriculum content so that teaching and learning in the FCT will now move from regular classroom teaching to a media education system of learning.

8. “The value of this contract is about 990 million, which I believe is going to impact our FCT students, who will start learning digitally. It will assist a lot in JAMB and other examinations, and I believe that in the next few years, even WAEC and NECO will now be based on CBT examinations.[/b]

9. Also addressing journalists, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) Coordinator, Chief Felix Obuah, said the committee also deliberated on the relocation of the Apo automobile mechanics and spare part dealers currently trading on the road corridor in Apo.

10. He explained that the EXCO resolved to address all the grey areas affecting the relocation exercise to allow for the smooth relocation of the traders to a permanent site in Wasa District.

11. He also stated that the FCT Minister is considering the best ways to ease traders' financial burden and ensure that nobody was surcharged.

12. Chief Obuah said 15,000 traders were enumerated at the road corridor and buffer zone in the Apo Mechanic Village, of whom about 12,000 obtained application forms.

13. He said, “At the end of the presentation, the EXCO was happy and ready to make sure that all those at the road corridor relocate to the permanent site to enable the commencement of construction of the OSEX road.

14. “Furthermore, the EXCO also approved that we are going to set up another Committee to ensure that nobody is surcharged in any form or shape".

- AS HE INSPECTS ROAD PROJECTS IN GWAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL


1. FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said that the government was duty-bound to bring development to the people.

2. The Minister stated this on Thursday, November 21, 2024 when he inspected ongoing two road projects in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.

3. Projects inspected were the rehabilitation of the 11km Aguma Palace/Radio Nigeria/New Market road and the 9km Paikon Kore/Ibwa road within the area council.

4. Addressing journalists shortly after the inspection exercise, Barr. Wike stressed that the impact of government can only be felt when it reaches all areas and all the people.

5. He said, “You can’t talk about good governance or the impact of government without touching all areas, be it in the city or the satellite towns which you will refer to as rural areas. As such, it is the responsibility of every government. And you know under the Renewed Hope Agenda, this is the promise the President has made, to rekindle the hope of everybody.

6. “Yes, things were bad yesterday, but we are trying to improve to make sure that things don’t get worse”.

7. The Minister expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work on both road projects and commended the contractors handling them.

8. Commenting on the crowd of residents that gathered at both sites to show appreciation to the Minister and his team, the Minister said that the people can now see that the current government is working to change their lives for the better and they are happy.

9. He said, “Yes, the residents have trooped out because nobody sees good things and will not appreciate it. People were complaining before because they never had any impact on the government but now they can feel, they can see that indeed there is a government that is working to change their lives in a positive way”.

10. While assuring residents that all the roads will delivered with streetlights, the Minister said the most important part of the projects was their completion by December, 2024, to enable farmers in the rural areas access their farms and bring their produce to the city, thereby ensuring food security.


11. He added that the construction of roads in the rural area was a strategy of the government to bring down the cost of food items and urged residents to continue to support the government and be patient as things will improve for the better.

12. The Minister assured that before the end of the first tenure of the present administration, the spate of development will speak for itself, that this administration has come to give hope to the people.

13. He said, “Infrastructure is basic to turn around any economy in any part of the world. If you don’t have basic infrastructure, too bad. That is part of the problems we have had in Abuja and we are trying to create more infrastructure to open up, not just the city but the rural area so that the economy of Abuja will thrive”.

14. On the involvement of the Area Council Chairmen in the infrastructure development in the rural area, the Minister said the FCT Administration is working together with the chairmen, adding that the Chairmen were also doing their best with the funds available to them.

15. The Minister said, “Don’t expect them to carry out this kind of magnitude of project because they don’t have that kind of resources. But the mere fact that they are giving us the support to carry out this project without any protest.

16. “You know sometimes you may be carrying out the project and the community and the Chairmen may not be in support, they will begin to sabotage it…we have never had such..so it means they have fully bought into the project and own it as their own and that is why we are succeeding. So, they are really doing well”.

...EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN DECEMBER COMPLETION DATE

1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, carried out inspection visits to the construction sites of ongoing road projects in Bwari and Kwali Area Councils of the FCT.

2. The projects inspected by the Minister include the rehabilitation of the 5-kilometer Dutse /Usuma Dam road, the upgrading of the War College/Army Checkpoint and other ancillary roads within the Bwari Area Council, as well as the reconstruction of the 25-kilometer Kwaita/Yebu road and the 11-kilometer Yangoji-Sukuku-Ebo road in the Kwali Area Council.

3. Addressing journalists after the inspection exercise, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the ongoing road projects and confidence that the contractors would complete them by December 2024 as scheduled. He also assured of adequate funding to ensure timely completion.

4. Noting that the road projects were located primarily in rural communities of the FCT, the Minister said their completion would boost agricultural activities and enhance food security in the nation's capital.


5. The FCT Minister said, “What amazes me is the length of the roads, particularly as they will positively impact these communities.

6. “When we went to Kwaita, you can see how long the road is, and we are now in Yangoji-Sukuku. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. We thank God that the Renewed Hope Agenda is alive and working.

7. “On the performance of the contractors, you know we had heavy rains this year and we gave them December to complete these projects. You can see the level of work they have done and the quality of the jobs which are in rural areas.

8. “I’m very much impressed with all the contractors. From Dutse, where the SCC is working, we got to Ushafa in Bwari; then we went to Kwaita and Yangoji/Sukuku in Kwali.

9. “I will do everything to ensure that funding is not a problem for them. When you see committed contractors, you, on your own part, will also carry out your obligation by ensuring that they are funded to complete these roads and make the people happy”.

10. “I’m sure you can see the large expanse of land for farming and if the government can capitalize on this, we won’t be talking about food security. So, I’m very impressed”.

FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike joined the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and other Nigerians at the funeral service of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.A Lagbaja at the National Christian Center, Abuja on Friday, 15th November, 2024.

…REVEALS PLANS TO AWARD CONTRACT FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF 17KM DEI-DEI/LIFE CAMP ROAD

1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, October 12, 2024, inspected the ongoing construction of the 5-kilometer access road to Saburi 1 and 2 communities from the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) to the old Keffi Road, near the Dei-Dei International Market in Abuja.

2. Speaking to journalists shortly after the inspection exercise, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the road project and the contractor’s assurances that the road would be completed by December 2024

3. Barr. Wike, while also stressing the FCT Administration's commitment to providing infrastructure in the capital city in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, revealed that the procurement process for the award of the Dei-Dei/LifeCamp road project contract was equally in its advanced stages.

4. The Minister said, “One of the reasons I came to this point is to see this particular road, Dei-Dei to life camp…The procurement process is almost 80 percent done. We are waiting for the Bureau of Public Procurement to send us a document stating that they have given a Certificate of No Objection. If that happens, then we will go to the Federal Executive Council for approval, and then we will continue from there. “


6. Speaking on Saburi Road project, the Minister said its construction fulfills the promises made by the current administration, adding that its completion will make the people of the area happy and improve their living conditions.

7. He said, “Obviously, by the time we finish, the people of this area will be quite happy. Already, it’s almost completed. You can see how happy they are. We believe, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, to make promises and fulfill the promises we have made”.

1. The FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to the security of the lives and property of residents of the territory.

2. Barr. Wike stated this on Sunday, November 10, 2024, when he paid an unscheduled visit to the recently demolished shanty settlement at the Cadastral Zone B03 along a railway corridor in Wuye District of the city.

3. The Minister, who was accompanied by the heads of various security agencies in the FCT and senior officials of the FCTA, said that no amount of blackmail or intimidation would stop the removal of shanties in the nation’s capital to safeguard the city and its residents.

4. Barr. Wike, who addressed journalists at the site, said the visit was to inform the settlers about the government's position regarding the illegal shanties that abound the metro line rail corridor and why they were being removed.

5. He said, “As you can see, we have had a lot of threats of insecurity in the FCT, and the security agencies are working 24 hours a day to make sure that Abuja is safe, to make sure that citizens and residents of Abuja go about their normal businesses, having sleepless nights to make sure that all of us sleep very comfortably. And they identified that this area is one of the areas that pose a lot of threat to security.”

6. “Our interest is to protect lives and properties, to safeguard Abuja so that it will be one of the best cities in the world.

7. “We are working in synergy with all the various security agencies. So, we are happy that we have come to see the place ourselves, and we will not allow things like this to continue to happen.”

8. Reacting to insinuations from certain individuals and groups that the administration’s actions were for ulterior motives, the Minister, said “I have also said that no amount of blackmail, intimidation, or abuse will stop us from doing our jobs”


9. The FCT Minister, however, stated that the Administration would, on compassionate grounds, interface with the dwellers and also promised to have furth!er talks with their representatives to see what assistance the government could render to them.

10. He said, “We are human, and we have come here to tell them the proper position of the government and then see how we can also interface with them and see what we can do for them.

11. “But the truth is that no government worth its salt will fold its hands and allow this place to be occupied by hoodlums. You can imagine the number of persons here whom we cannot identify. We hear many crimes are being committed outside, and at the end of the day, they come here to stay

12. While setting up a committee made up of heads of security agencies, heads of relevant departments of the FCTA and five members of the community to work out modalities on the way forward, the minister issued a stern warning that the dwellers should not rebuild any demolished structure, saying, “We have told them not to build anything on the place, whether temporary or permanent until the government has taken the final decision on what to do on this piece of land.”

13. Earlier, the spokesman of the shanty dwellers, Abba Garu, had appealed to the minister for shelter, saying that many of them had resided in the area for as much as three decades. He also appealed to the FCT Minister to provide an alternative and expressed their readiness to vacate the area.


14. The visit to Wuye was preceded by an emergency security meeting chaired by the FCT Minister

The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has appointed Mr. Olalere James Olayinka as the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, effective immediately.

Mr. Olayinka, a seasoned media and communications professional, brings over 20 years of experience in journalism, public relations, and media management. His career spans a wide range of roles in both the public and private sectors.

Mr. Olayinka has held various positions, including but not limited to the following:

CEO of Our Peoples FM, Ado-Ekiti, (2018 till date)
Publisher. Wazobia Reporters Online
Special Assistant on Public Communications to the Governor of Ekiti State (2014 - 2018),
Director-General of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (2014 - 2018),
Media Adviser to the Minister of State for Works in 2018
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Class Magazine (2003 - 2007),
Born on October 1, 1972, Mr Olayinka hails from Okemesi, Ekiti State and is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, where he obtained a diploma in Journalism

As Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr. Olayinka will oversee the development of communication strategies to improve public awareness of government activities and facilitate stronger engagement between the FCT Administration and the public.

Mr. Olayinka is married with children.

…DIRECTS THE EXTENSION OF KUJE TOWNSHIP ROAD TO GWAGWALADA

1. As part of the routine inspection of ongoing projects in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, November 7, 2024, inspected the full scope development of the 11km FCT Highway 105, otherwise known as Kuje highway, from the Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction with Spur at Kyami.

2. The FCT Minister also inspected the emergency construction of a 5-kilometer Kuje township road from the Garage Junction to the LEA Secretariat within the Kuje Area Council.

3. Speaking with journalists shortly after the inspection exercise, Barr. Wike expressed satisfaction with the speed and quality of work on the road projects and directed that the Kuje township road be extended to Gwagwalada.

4. He said earthwork on the FCT Highway 105 was expected to be completed by the end of the year, while the Kuje town asphalt carriageway would be completed and handed over by the end of December 2024.

5. The Minister said, “You can see the work is going on well as expected by Arab contractors and they have promised that by the end of this year 2024, they would have finished everything pertaining to earthwork, even though some sections of the road they’ve started putting macadam, before they will start applying binder and wearing course. So, you can see the work is moving on very fast, the fastest we think we should have”.

6. Reacting to the issue of the power transmission lines along the road corridor of the FCT Highway 105, the Minister said the FCT Administration has commenced the processes of collaboration with the Transmission Company of Nigeria to relocate the electric facilities to avoid any delay in the road project.

7. On the 5-kilometer Kuje township road, Barr. Wike said the dualisation and extension of the road to the Gwagwalada Area Council will improve traffic situation, reduce travel distance and also enhance economic activities within the Area Councils.

8. He said, “We believe that by this December, the contractor, Gilmor Engineering would have handed over, latest by the end of this December as promised and we have also directed them to continue the dualisation of Kuje to Gwagwalada.

9. “That will ease off traffic difficulties when you are going to Gwagwalada and also reduce the travel distance. People who have no business passing through the airport road through Giri can now, from Gwagwalada and come to Kuje. Everybody in Kuje who is going to Gwagwalada of course will go straight and you know the economic impact. This road will trigger off a lot of economic activities”.

1. In furtherance of the commitment to opening up the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the FCT Minister Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said that the FCT Administration will expand the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring 1 to Ring Road II, also known as Lokogoma Junction in Abuja.

2. To this end, the FCT Minister embarked on the inspection of the ongoing construction of the left-hand service carriageway of the OSEX from Ring Road 1 (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway) to Wasa Junction on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

3. Addressing journalists shortly after the inspection exercise, the Minister said the expansion of the road will reduce traffic bottlenecks around the area and enhance business operations in the Abuja capital city.

4. He expressed satisfaction with the speed and quality of work on the road project being undertaken by CGC Group, as well as confidence that the six-lane dual carriage way expansion, from Ring road 1 to Ring road 11, being proposed on the road will be executed by the contractor.

5. The Minister said, “We came out from the OSEX where you saw what CGC is doing on the left hand service carriageway of two lanes. Now we want to expand because that alone will not reduce the traffic bottleneck.


6. “So, there is a need that we have to do another six lanes to take it down to Lokogoma. In that case, we will be able to reduce the traffic by about 95 percent”.

7. Speaking on the Apo Mechanic Village traders along the road corridor of the OSEX, the Minister assured that the Committee on the relocation of the traders was doing its job to relocate them to a permanent site in Wasa in the overriding interest of the public.


8. He said the traders were already aware that the road project will pass through the area, adding that the FCTA was not envisaging any problem on the issue of relocating the traders.

9. The Minister said, “The Committee is doing their work. You know that the road is going to pass through that area. So, that is not going to be a problem. We have told them that when we get to that point, they have no choice but to leave for the interest of everybody. It’s not for anybody’s particular interest. It’s for the public”.

Orders extension of Access Road N16 in Katampe District


1. Barely two weeks after the flag off of construction of some critical road projects in the FCT, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Monday, November 4, 2024, paid an inspection visit to the sites of the road projects in Life Camp and Katampe District to assess the progress of work.

2. He also visited the renovation of the International Conference Centre in Abuja and expressed satisfaction with the speed and quality of the work on the project.

3. Addressing journalists shortly after the inspections, the Minister expressed confidence in the contractor handling the ICC and assured that the project would be completed by April next year, giving the country a more fitting conference centre of international standard.

4. He said, “I’m quite satisfied with what I’ve seen Julius Berger doing. By the grace of God, by April next year, they will have handed over this project, and it will be available for Nigerians to use.

5. “What is important is that we are going to have an International Conference Centre that can meet the standard of International Conference Centres in the world. So, I’m quite happy with what we have seen”.

6. Speaking on the N5 and N16 roads in Life Camp and Katampe district, Barr. Wike also revealed that he had directed the extension of the Arterial Road N16 within the Cadastral Zone B07 in Katampe District to further link it to Arterial Road N20 in Jahi District, which, he said, underscores the need for the relocation of the communities to pave the way for the project.

7. He said, “We also went to Katampe, where CGC is, and we have to extend the road because it will be more meaningful if it links to N20. The contractor has agreed that they will still complete it within the agreed timescale of May next year. So, we are happy with that commitment”.

8. The Minister also said that the FCT Administration had concluded plans to compensate communities affected by the road works, directing the FCDA and the Department of Resettlement and Compensation to expedite action on the plan.

9. The Minister said, “We went to Life Camp to see the obstruction that may delay finishing that job. But by the grace of God, that has been sorted out. We believe that in the next two days, the communities and those who own some crops will have been compensated. That job is being handled by Julius Berger.”


10. Speaking on the possibility of relocating the affected communities, the Minister said the FCT Administration was working with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that compensation is applied where necessary.

11. He said, “First of all, the one we went to in Life Camp has to do majorly with the crops. Then they have some small houses that we need to compensate them for. If it requires relocating them, we will do it. If it requires just compensation, we will do it. It depends on what is available.”

...DISTRIBUTES 80 VEHICLES TO FCT YOUTHS

1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Thursday, October 31, 2024 flagged off the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme by distributing 80 vehicles to youths in the FCT.

2. Speaking during the flag-off exercise, which rounds up the minister's nine days of project flag-offs, Barrister Wike stressed the Federal Government's commitment to improving the lives of FCT youth through the Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Initiative.


3. He said the vehicles—30 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), 30 7-seater Suzuki Minibuses, and 20 14-seater Hiace buses—would provide employment opportunities for the youth and also reduce the cost of transportation in the FCT.

4. The Minister added that the brand-new vehicles were being provided by the government at no cost to the beneficiaries from across the six Area Councils of the FCT to give them a source of livelihood and urged the beneficiaries to utilise the vehicles for the purpose which they had been provided.

5. The FCT Minister said, “These are brand new vehicles, and they are not paying a dime. We are not saying pay the government any money. The government is saying this is our own support to make sure you have something to feed, to make sure you can support your family, and also to reduce the cost of transportation in the city.”

6. Barr. Wike also disclosed that the vehicles would be used as a pilot scheme to gradually phase out tricycle operations in parts of the Abuja city centre, adding that more vehicles would also be procured to address possible shortages.

7. He said, “I’m not saying there will be no more Keke. No, you will go to certain areas. But for now, we will try to see the pilot scheme in Maitama, Guzape and Asokoro. Let us see how it will work, and by the grace, it will work well because Mr. President means well for everybody”.

8. Noting that some of the tricycle and taxi operators in Abuja were informants to criminals, the Minister also disclosed plans to conduct security profiling of commercial buses and taxi operators within the FCT, adding that they must also operate with the Abuja taxi colour.

9. He said, “From January next year, nobody will operate as a taxi driver or a bus driver without approval from the security, without security profiling you, and without the Abuja colour. So, there is nothing like using any vehicle on the road. From January, we will not allow that. We would have also brought in more vehicles so that we won’t have a shortage."

1. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, flagged off the rehabilitation of the 10-kilometer Aguma Palace - Radio Nigeria - New Market Road in Gwagwalada Area Council.

2. Speaking during the flag-off exercise, the Minister reiterated the FCT Administration's commitment to ensuring that governance positively impacts the FCT Area Councils, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

3. The Minister, who recalled that the stakeholders in the Area Council selected the road for rehabilitation during the interactive town hall between the FCT Administration and the FCT Area Councils, said the flag-off of the project fulfils the president's promise to deliver the dividends of democracy to the FCT Area Councils.

4. He said, “I told you that Mr. President has directed that we should give to you whatever you ask. And today, by the special grace of God, one of the special requests you made is the reconstruction of this very important segment of the road….”.

5. “This is not the time when a contract is awarded and the contract is abandoned. This contract has been awarded. This contract has been flagged off today, and this contract will be commissioned next year”.

6. He assured that adequate budgetary provisions had been made for the project and called on Gwagwalada residents to support the contractor and ensure the project was completed on time.

7. Barr. Wike also urged the contractor to involve the Area Council youths by giving them employment opportunities during the road reconstruction.

8. Stressing that the FCT Administration was committed to the development of the FCT Area Councils as directed by President Tinubu, the Minister also disclosed that the President had approved the provision of potable water in the Gwagwalada Area Council.

9. He said, “Let me reiterate that Mr. President did not appoint the Hon. Minister of State and my humble self to come here to preside over the selling of land. We are here to give you roads, we are here to give you water, and we are here to make you happy.

10.“This is what we talk about government, government for the people, the government of the people, and government by the people.”

… TASKS RESIDENTS ON PAYMENT OF GROUND RENT, OTHER TAXES

1. In continuation of efforts by the FCT Administration to bridge the gap in the provision of infrastructure in the FCT satellite towns and the city centre, the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Monday, October 28, 2024, flagged off the upgrading of the War College/Army Checkpoint and other ancillary roads within the Bwari Area Council.

2. Speaking during the flag-off exercise, Barr. Wike stressed the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's commitment to improving the living conditions of the people in the satellite towns through the provision of vital infrastructure.

3. The Minister, who stated that the road project was awarded to an indigenous contractor, said this also demonstrates the President's commitment to empowering the local populace and indigenous contractors.

4. Recounting the series of events before the contract award, Barr. Wike said he personally visited the project site to ascertain the veracity of the proposed contract and the contractor's capacity to deliver on the project.

5. He said “It makes me happy that under the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one thing I’ve always emphasized is to empower our people, empower our indigenous contractors who have shown capacity, who are willing to work".

6. Speaking on the efforts of the present administration to provide infrastructure in the nation's capital, Barr Wike revealed that the President has approved the award of the 9.5km Kabusa/Ketti road and the 11km Kabusa/Takushara road in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, as requested by the council chairman, Hon Christopher Maikalangu.

7. The Minister also revealed that an MOU has been signed between the FCTA and CGC for the provision of potable water in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils.

8. He said, “We went to China, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CGC to provide water for Kwali, for Gwagwalada and for Kuje to start with. We are not just only providing roads. Now Mr. President has taken a step further to see that you must have portable water to drink…”.

9. “As far as infrastructure is concerned, by the time this administration finishes in 2027, Abuja will be a different thing altogether”. The Minister added the administration has restored the people’s confidence in government, while assuring that development will get to all parts of the nation's capital in due course.

10. He said, "I can assure you that every Area Council will be treated very well. You don't need to worry yourself. The Renewed Hope Agenda is real. You can see that promise made, is promise fulfilled".

11. Commending the Area Council Chairmen for their support for the FCT Administration, the Minister also stated that he refrained from interfering with the allocations of the FCT Area Councils to encourage autonomy. He also called for Accountability on the part of the Council Chairmen.

12. The FCT Minister, while also noting that government requires revenue to provide infrastructure, called on FCT residents to pay their taxes and ground rents, even as he urged them to also hold the government accountable.

13. Speaking on the efforts of the government in the aspect of human capital development, Barr. Wike also revealed that N10 billion was earmarked, in the budget, for the empowerment of the youths in the FCT.