Tag: Wike

There is political difference between me and former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili, Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Minister Nyesom Wike admitted yesterday.

The minister, who spoke on the soured relations between him and the erstwhile godfather, also chided former Transport Minister Abiye Sekibo, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Uche Secondus and former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Austin Opara, and Celestine Omehia for backing Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The minister has been having a running battle with  Fubara, his successor, over purely political matter.

It is believed that the successor/predecessor rift  is responsible for the ruptured relations between him and Odili, who is backing the governor.

Last week, the PDP leaders urged President Bola Tinubu to caution Wike on the Rivers State crisis.

Acknowledging the gulf between him and Odili, the minister said:”There are some political differences.”

 Wike spoke during a live media chart monitored by our correspondent in Abuja. 

 Wike added: “As it is today, politically, we don’t have a good relationship. We don’t work together.”

Odili was governor between 1999 and 2007. He handed over to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi under whom the minister served as Chief of Staff before he was appointed as Minister of State for Education by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

 Explaining the nature of political differences, Wike said:“For me, we have finished with this stage. It does not mean that in the next stage you will be in the same camp. No. He made a decision. I made a decision.”

 He however, said he held Odili in high esteem as a father, despite the political differences.

 Wike described other PDP leaders backing Fubara as “political buccaneers”

 He described Sekibo, Secondus, Omehia and Opara as expired politicians who are not worthy to be called “elder statesmen”.

Wike insisted that they have lost relevance, adding that he had kicked them out of the party.

 He pointed out that Secondus was no longer a member of the PDP because his suspension was validated by the court.

Wike said: “The other day, I saw a political conference organised by transactional politicians, political vampires, political buccaneers.”

 Reminded that PDP chieftains are elder statesmen, Wike said: “Do you know who is called an elder statesman?  An elder statesman is someone who must have integrity; who must not be here today and be there tomorrow.”

 Wike said it was ironic that the people who had refused to support Fubara during last year’s poll have turned around to support for him after the election.

 He said: “Today, they are not only serving a boy but they are waiting for him on the road. Do they have integrity? The same people who said this governor was a neophyte, how can they bring themselves to support him?

“They wrote a petition when this governor wanted to collect his certificate in PDP. They carried a rumour on how he became chairman and that he is being looked for by EFCC. They said he was not coming to PDP national secretariat, but they were surprised that the governor went to the PDP secretariat,”

 Decrying what he described as the “antics” of PDP leaders, Wike said he pitied Fubara who wanted to be on his own for associating with with “these political vampires who are always sucking.”

 He queried: They are calling Nigerians to support Tinubu, that me, I am a selfish person. All of them were in power, but what did they do for their people?”

 Wike said the FCT’s N1.28 trillion 2024 statutory budget will revolutionize infrastructure development in the nation’s capital.

He said the budget  will not only cater for the roads in the FCT,  but also healthcare, education and Abuja metro line.

 He said: “Frankly speaking, it is going to revolutionize infrastructure as far as the FCT is concerned. Not only road networks, but also in health and education. I believe by the grace of God that the budget is going to be very impactful to the residents of Abuja”.

Read Also: Wike won’t betray you, Niger Delta youths tell President

 On how the FCT intends to finance the over N1 trillion budget, which is the largest since the inception of the FCT, the minister disclosed that the withdrawal of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has enabled the his administration to source for funds from the financial market.

 Wike said: “The funds are there now and the contractors are happy because these funds have been tied to various specific projects. It is going to create a situation where people will wonder what is going on”.

 “This strategy is what I used when I was Governor and it has paid off… Contractors like nothing better than to hear that funds are available. Before you know it, you have turned around the entire place. That is what is going on today in Abuja”.  

The minister assured that contractors in the FCT will complete the projects in May to mark the President’s one year in office.

 He said the FCT Administration will bring development to area councils.

 He said in addition to the ongoing construction of rural roads in the six area councils, provision has also been made in the 2024 budget to implement other important roads that were identified by the area council stakeholders.

 On security, Wike said the FCT would set up a special response squad comprising a joint team from the various security agencies.

He said the team will be well-equipped and provided with the necessary technology to tackle crime and criminality in the FCT.

He said:“We are also getting drones for the security personnel who will man the Command-and-Control Centre. Having a drone is key, so that you will be able to know when these bandits are moving in or when they are moving out so you will be able to take proactive action”.

 On the installation of CCTV in the FCT, the minister said it would require the collaboration of stakeholders in the security sector, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and Department of State Services (DSS).

He said steps would be taken to ensure that the CCTVs are not vandalized after installation.

 Wike, who spoke on land matters in the FCT, said efforts were ongoing to sanitize land administration.

  He dismissed allegations that he was vindictive in actions taken on certain land matters in the Asokoro District, warning mischief makers against giving ethnic colorations to actions taken by the FCTA.

 He said the FCT Civil Service Commission would take disciplinary actions against any staff found guilty of perpetrating land fraud.

Wike said:  “As far as I’m concerned in this FCT, it is no longer going to be business as usual.”

Leaders under the auspices of the Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) have called on President Bola Tinubu to ignore the detractors hauling abuses on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike.

The youth leaders in a statement after their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday, March 31, told the president that Wike would never betray him, saying the minister would remain Tinubu’s dependable ally.

The leaders in the statement signed on their behalf by their national president, Pastor Teidor Olayinka, Mr. George Mogbitse and Owunano Harry, observed that Wike had remained focused in delivering his job as a minister “despite mischievous political catcalls and wild denigrating tantrums thrown to him by his detractors”.

They said: “Wike is a very detribalised person; he is someone, who goes for competence and just like Mr. President, he always meticulously engages people, who have the capacity to deliver on given assignments, no matter where they are from.

“Wike’s avid commitment in spreading the dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President can be attested to, even by his die-hard critics.

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“The speed with which he is carrying out projects and programmes in the FCT that is touching the lives of the people positively is clear, even for the blind to see. He is a proven political ally of Mr. President and a shining light in his cabinet.

“He is bringing out components of the Abuja master plan that were hitherto unknown to the public and as well implementing them accordingly. He is very courageous and astute in building political bridges across party lines effectively. He is a known voice in our national democratic discourse.

“He has helped to influence the appointment and employment of a lot of qualified Niger Delta sons and daughters into very sensitive positions of responsibility; irrespective of tribe, creed and political cleavages.

“We commend Wike for how he is relating with the leadership of the National Assembly and other top key government functionaries at the National level. We want to caution all those bad-belly people, who are antagonistic to Wike’s emergence as the Minister of the FCT, especially our brothers from the North, to shelve their needless attacks but rather support him to succeed in building a beautiful FCT”.

The leaders enjoined all stakeholders  particularly those from the Southsouth to support Wike to enable him continue to work for the success of the Mr. President’s Renewed Hope agenda.

They said: “As for us, the Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress and respected stakeholders from the Niger Delta region, we commend the Minister of FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, for promoting regional unity.

“We appreciate your good work especially the way you’re transforming the FCT, and as an ambassador from the region, who is making us proud, we will continue to support your course”.

Why also appreciating Tinubu’s efforts in spreading development to every part of the country, especially the Niger Delta through such interventionist agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the leaders begged the President to address some bureaucratic bottlenecks affecting the NDDC.

They said: “We have observed with concern some obvious bureaucratic bottlenecks in the wheel of progress at the NDDC, such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy which is adversely affecting the commission’s activities especially hindering the delivery of projects and programmes at record timelines.

“We implore Mr. President to take a second look at the policy as it relates to the NDDC and make necessary adjustments that will free up funds for massive developmental targets”.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured President Bola Tinubu has provided funds to complete ongoing projects in the nation’s capital.

Wike said this on Saturday after inspecting six ongoing projects across the FCT.

The project sites include the Southern Parkway, from Christian Centre to Ring Road I, being handled by Setraco and Vice President’s Residents being handled by Julius Berger.

Other projects visited were B6 and B12, Independence Avenue, also handled by Julius Berger, Wuye Engineering Infrastructure, being handled by Arab Contractors and N-20 Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Jahi District, being handled by Gilmor.

The Minister also inspected the Outer Southern Expressway from Villa Roundabout to Ring Road I, being handled by CGC.

He said: “So, for us we are happy with what we have seen, and we thanked God that the “Renewed Hope” agenda is working.

“Nigerians can see that the President has done well and the promise he has made to transform Abuja is turning out successfully and there is no need to doubt”.

The Minister identified non-fulfillment of promises by politicians as a major problem, adding that such actions make the electorate lose confidence.

He said that when politicians make promises and fulfill them, it gives people hope and makes them happy.

Wike commended Tinubu for the support, adding that the contractors have attested to the fact that funding was not a problem.

“We went to Southern Parkway being handled by Setraco and the contractor has reaffirmed that the project would be handed over to us in the first week of May.

“Then we went to VP’s Resident, being handled by Julius Berger and they said they have done not less than 90 per cent. That also, by the grace of God, will be handed over to us by May.

“We went to B6 and B12, Independence Avenue in Central Area, also being handled by Julius Berger, and they are quite confident that they are going to hand over the project in May.

“We went to Wuye District Engineering Infrastructure, being handled by Arab Contractors. They are 95 per cent ready and they made a commitment that it would soon be handed over.

“Then we went to the N-20 Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Jahi District, which is being done by Gilmore. I can see the level of work and I believe that by the second week of May, God willing, they will also hand over the project.

Read Also: FCTA: Tinubu, Wike have renewed our hope – Atang

“We are here now at Outer Southern Expressway, which is being done by CGC, and we have seen the level of work,” the Minister said.

Wike said that the essence of going to project sites was to see whether the contractors were delivering the project according to design and according to contract terms.

He reiterated his promise that no project would be abandoned, adding that no project would be awarded without the money to fund it.

He disclosed that he would meet all the contractors on Tuesday to finalise the readiness to complete ongoing projects.

He added that he would continue the project inspection on Wednesday to see the level of preparation for handing over of projects in May.

On why he decided to inspect the project during Easter break, the minister said: “Easter does not mean that you will not work; Easter does not mean that you will not eat.

“What Easter portrays is the unity for which Christ stands for all of us, and the need to preach for peace among we Nigerians”.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration has embarked on a journey of transformation in the capital territory.

Wike, who stated this in his Easter message to residents of FCT, in Abuja on Saturday, urged the residents to contribute to the realisation of the vision for better Nigeria.

He explained that the efforts to transform the FCT was driven by a renewed sense of hope and optimism, under the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“As residents of the FCT, let us keep faith with President Tinubu and his administration, and let us actively contribute to the realisation of his vision for a better Nigeria.

“On our part, the FCT Administration remains deeply committed to ensuring the welfare and well-being of all residents.

“We are working tirelessly to address the various challenges facing the Territory, from security to infrastructure development and education as well as healthcare provision.

“Many of our interventions, as many will attest to, are already yielding the desired results.

“However, I recognise that true progress can only be achieved through collective effort and collaboration,” he said.

He called on residents to join hands with the government in its quest for progress and development, towards building a brighter future for the current generation and the generation to come.

He also urged residents to remember the true essence of Easter celebration and embodied the spirit of sacrifice, compassion, and renewal in all that we do.

“In the story of Easter, we find the ultimate symbol of sacrifice in the selfless act of Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the redemption of humanity.

“Let us, therefore, reach out to those in need, to offer a helping hand to the less fortunate, and spread kindness and goodwill wherever we go.

Read Also: Wike to Abuja residents: Tinubu has given me tremendous support to perform

“In the Federal Capital Territory, we are blessed with a diverse and vibrant community that embodies the spirit of unity in diversity.

“Regardless of our differences in culture, religion, or background, we are bound together by the shared values of tolerance and respect for each other.

“This Easter, let us therefore celebrate our diversity as a source of strength and let us reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and harmonious society for all,” Wike said.

The minister also called on residents to celebrate responsibly and obey all extant rules and regulations, especially on environmental sanitation and traffic while also being security conscious. (NAN)

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, March 28, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has given him tremendous support to perform his duties. 

Wike commended Tinubu for the support to the FCT Administration to provide critical infrastructure and quality services to residents of the FCT, after inspecting ongoing rural road projects in Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Councils (AMAC) in Abuja.

The projects inspected included the 7.2-kilometer road linking Gaba and Tokulo communities in Bwari Area Council and the five-kilometer access road linking Saburi 1 and 2 in Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The roads are part of the 42-kilometer rural roads being constructed across the six area councils of the FCT.

Wike explained that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda was not meant for only the people in the cities but was designed to also ensure that those in rural communities feel the impact of his administration.

He said: “I am very glad to say that the renewed hope agenda is working, particularly as it concerns the area councils.

“The renewed hope Agenda is not only for the cities; it is also to make sure that those in the rural areas feel part of the administration.

“We have been to Bwari and we attest to the fact that it is a very difficult terrain. No wonder people talk of insecurity.

Read Also: Wike impressed with quality, pace of ongoing road constructions in Kuje

“But with the construction of that road, you can say that there is hope.

“I feel so happy that I am part of this administration and that people can see changes.

“Again, we are here in Saburi, and you can see the work going on. When we came to inaugurate the road, you could see the enthusiasm among the people. I am proud that the contractors are doing very well and by the grace of God all the six projects in the six area councils would be completed before the end of the year.

“That will not stop us from commencing the 2024 infrastructure development in the area councils as we promised”.

He explained that road projects were being funded from the 2023 emergency supplementary budget.

Wike added that the N1.28 trillion FCT 2024 statutory budget, when assented by Tinubu would also be used to construct additional roads in the six area councils.

The minister, who expressed optimism that the 2024 budget was realistic, added that 58 percent of the capital budget would be expended on ongoing projects.

He also said that the remaining 42 percent was earmarked for critical new projects, which would commence after the assent by the president.

Wike said: “We are happy that everything we have started will be completed soon. This attests to the fact that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope” agenda is not just in theory”.