₦airaland Forum

…Says project will grow Nigeria’s economy, create employment for Youths

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said that the Abuja Industrial Park project in in the FCT will grow the country’s economy and create employment for the youths.

The FCT Minister made the statement when he visited the Abuja Industrial Park being undertaken by the Zeberced Group at the Idu Industrial District of Abuja on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.

Barr. Wike said the Abuja industrial Park project, which sits on 250 hectares of land designated as a free zone, will attract a lot of companies to the area due to the availability of regular power supply.

The FCT Minister who was also informed by the MD, Zeberced Group, Adil Aydin Kurt, that the project will create about 40,000 direct employments for youths in the FCT when fully operational, commended the company for their commitment and assured of continued support of the government.

He said , "What every government is interested is first of all creating employment. If here can create not less than 40,000 jobs, you know what it means. It reduces the rate of unemployment".

"First of all we gave out this land to them 12 years ago and we are constructing the access road. Without that road, this Industrial Park cannot take place.

"So government is providing the infrastructure that will lead to the development of this Industrial Park".

Speaking further on the incentives, the Minister said the Abuja Industrial Park has been designated as a free zone where companies are not taxed, adding that availability of regular power supply will also attract businesses to the area".

In continuation of the efforts to modernize transportation in the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister of the FCT, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Monday, August 26, 2024, flagged off the construction of a bus and taxi terminal in the Central Business District of Abuja.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony at the site of the proposed bus and taxi terminal, Barr. Wike stressed the commitment of the FCT Administration to expanding transportation infrastructure in the FCT with the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Minister who stated that the provision of road infrastructure in the FCT will not be complete without linking them to the various bus and taxi terminals, said the project will be constructed in accordance with modern standards and will have facilities for relaxation, including restaurants.

The Minister recalled that the FCTA had earlier flagged off the construction of two bus terminals in Mabushi and Kugbo axis of the FCT and added that the provision of a bus terminal in the CBD will not only improve transportation but will also help to address security challenges in the FCT

1. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has described the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as a man of integrity, wisdom with an unwavering dedication to the rule of law.

2. Barr. Wike said this at the public presentation of Ariwoola’s autobiography, titled “Judging with Justice”, in Abuja on Thursday, August 22, 2024 where he delivered a goodwill message.

3. The Minister stressed that the legacy of Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was one that will be etched in the annals of Nigeria’s history, adding that the journey of the Hon Justice from the bar to the bench, and ultimately to the apex court as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, was a story of perseverance, brilliance, and an unyielding commitment to the pursuit of justice.

4. He said, “This moment is not just a celebration of a book, but the celebration of a life lived in the service of justice, fairness, and equity. It is a testament to the extraordinary journey of a man who has not only interpreted the law but has also shaped its practice in Nigeria in ways that will resonate for generations to come.

5. “Over the years, he has rendered judgments that have not only affirmed the rule of law but have also safeguarded the principles of democracy and human rights in Nigeria”.

6. “The Hon Justice’s journey as in this autobiography is one of dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to the principles that define our legal system.

…AS WIKE CHARGES APPOINTEES TO WORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FCT

The Newly appointed Mandate Secretary for Youth Development, Hon. Abdullahi Suleiman Ango alongside four Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Capital Territory Administration were on Thursday, August 15, 2024 sworn into office in a short ceremony presided over by the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

The Minister who charged the new appointees to work for the overall development of the FCT, said the appointments were a part of promises made and fulfilled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

He assured that the President would always fulfil his promises to residents of the FCT and appealed for patience as things would soon improve for the better not only in the FCT but across the country.

Barrister Wike said that the decision to create a Secretariat for Youth Development and appointment of its Mandate Secretary was not taken in isolation but was a result of wide consultations among the area councils and other stakeholders following the clamour of youths in FCT for their own Secretariat.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, August 1, 2024, presented Staff of Office to newly appointed graded Chiefs of the four Chiefdoms of Karu, Kwali, Pai and Yaba in the FCT.

Installed into the royal stools are the Sa’Karuyi of Karu, HRH Joseph Danfulani Narai, the Esu of Kwali, HRH. Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, the Sarkin Pai, HRH Abubakar Sani Pai and the Etsu of Yaba, HRH Yakubu Ndatsu.

Speaking during the colorful ceremony which showcased the rich culture of the people of the FCT, the Minister congratulated the newly graded chiefs on their appointments and charged them to take their duties seriously and responsibly.

He reminded the traditional rulers that they have a role to play in ensuring peace and security in their various domains and urged them to also ensure that their subjects are well informed about the policies and programs of government.

5. The Minister said, “Let me say that traditional rulers have a lot of roles to play. You are the closest to the grassroots. You interface with the people more than us. You are the ones who know what the people feel at home. You are the ones who will tell us whether the government is making any impact or not.

6. “You will convey to your subjects what the government is doing and what the government is about to do. You are the one to sell government programs and policies to your people.

…Says FCT is revolutionizing infrastructure provision

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, inspected the ongoing Emergency construction of the 5km Naharati-River Ukya to Uguwan Hausawa road in Abaji Area Council of the FCT.

The Minister who was accompanied on the inspection visit, by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the construction of roads in the satellite towns will not only improve connectivity in the rural areas but will also discourage rural urban migration in the FCT.

He stressed that the road construction will also impact positively on the lives and livelihood of the people at the grassroots level, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was determined to ensure that every part of the FCT is impacted positively under the Renewed Hope Agenda.


The FCT Minister also dispelled insinuations that the FCT Administration was only concentrating development in the city centre, stressing that that a lot has also been achieved in the satellite towns in the last one year.

He said, “This is all about the renewed hope agenda. The President is trying to make sure that every area is impacted positively.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am. I have seen the connection within the various communities. This of course will improve their means of livelihood and transportation.

“We have always said that we are not only concentrating in the cities, we are also trying to open satellite towns because we are also trying to discourage people from migrating to the cities.

“Why the people migrate to the cities is because there are no infrastructure. So, when you provide this kind of infrastructure, it discourages rural-urban migration”.

The Minister described what is happening in the FCT in terms of the provision of infrastructure as a complete revolution.

He said most of the people who still complain have probably not had the opportunity to really visit the rural areas and see what the renewed hope agenda is all about.

He said, “I think all of us can attest that this has never happened before in the history of the FCT. What we are seeing today is a complete revolution, trying to transform our rural areas”.

In continuation of his inspection and evaluation of ongoing projects in the nation’s capital, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, inspected the ongoing construction of 25-kilometer Yebu Kwaita road, as well as the 11-kilometer Yangoji/Sukuku Ebo road, both in the Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

Addressing newsmen during the inspection visit, Barrister Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the road projects and assured that they would be completed by December this year.

He said the roads, when completed will not only provide access to the farmlands in the rural areas but will also improve transportation in remote parts of the FCT.

The Minister also expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractors to deliver the road projects within the agreed schedule and assured them of adequate funding for the projects.

Meanwhile, the FCT Minister also encountered some victims of a kidnapping incident in Kuje, who were rescued by the local v)igilante outfit in Kwali Area Council and commended the team for its bravery and for taking it upon itself to contribute to the security of the place.

He reiterated that security was a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the government and assured of the provision of logistics and financial support to the vigilante group to improve its capacity to fight crime in its locality.

The FCT Minister on Monday, July 29, 2024 carried out an inspection visit to the construction site of the 9 kilometer Paikon Kore/Ibwa rural road in Gwgwalada Area Council where he expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work.

Barr. Wike stated that the project was one of the roads that Mr. President directed that must be completed in the satellite towns, stressing that the contractor has also promised to complete the road and hand it over by December this year.

He said, “I’m very happy and the contractor has promised that by December, they would have completed and handed over. This is a 9km road. It’s interesting because this is one of the roads that Mr. President in the satellite towns that must be completed”.

The Minister expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor to complete the road within schedule and thanked the Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Hon. Abu Jibrin Giri for his support to the contractor.

The Minister also stated that the road project, when completed will improve access to the farmlands and market in the rural areas, adding that it will also help to address the challenges of food insecurity in the country.

He urged the communities around the area to be patient and assured that the government was fully committed to turning things around for the better in the country.

He said, “I will continue to urge them to be calm, to be patient. This government is fully prepared to turn things around”.