Tag: Wike

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has described as “temporary,” the hardship currently being experienced by most Nigerians.

Wike said he was optimistic that the economic policies of the Bola Tinubu administration would soon yield positive results.

“To change the economy is not by mouth. So, many things will go wrong, but in going wrong, it will get right. The wrong is the effect on you temporarily,” he said.

The minister spoke during the commencement of the resurfacing of 189 roads in the Maitama District, Garki and Utako in the FCT yesterday.

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Wike, who also called for prayers for President Bola Tinubu, advised Nigerians not to dwell on the negatives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration

He said: “What the President is doing today will yield positive results soon. We may be having some inconveniences, we agree.

“But be patient. You will see the turnaround of things. I will never support what will not work.

“I know that whatever position or whatever policies you see today coming out is not intended to make anybody suffer.

“We need to pray to make sure there is good health for Mr. President, for the wisdom, the strength for him to pilot the affairs of this country.

“It will not be good for us only to talk about the bad. We should also talk about the good side.”

Wike warned that he would not hesitate to revoke the contract of any contractor that fails to deliver.  

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has told wealthy men in the nation’s capital not to expect infrastructural developments if they don’t pay their taxes.

Wike said this on Tuesday, February 6, during the flag-off of 57 km road resurfacing projects, spanning 189 roads in the Maitama District of the FCT.

The minister, who said there had been initial pushback on his move to generate revenue through the payment of taxes, stated that he would not be deterred, but would continue to do what was right.

Wike said: “What we’re doing now is not within the area councils. This is the big men’s place. But when they tell them to pay tax now, they’ll begin to complain. They are happy the road is being resurfaced, but ask them where the money will come from if not tax.

“When we started to see how we could get more tax and more revenue, there was nothing they did not do to fight me. I’m not worried. I will not shake. I will do what is right. So, don’t expect to have good roads without paying tax.”

The minister also apologised to residents in the Maitama District for the inconveniences caused by the road resurfacing projects, noting that there could be no development without some sacrifices.

“You cannot talk about development without making sacrifices. There must be inconveniences, but after that inconvenience, you will benefit from it. So, these few days where you have had some kind of traffic problem, some people say ‘Oh, where it used to take them 2 minutes, it took them 40 minutes, it’s part of the sacrifice, it will not be like that forever.

Read Also: Wike: Our economy will turn around soon for the better

“Maybe the FCDA did not make announcements to enlighten the public that this is what was going to happen. So, I apologize on their behalf. But know that it was not intentional for people to suffer”.

The Minister also warned local contractors against failure to deliver on projects, stating that he would revoke the contracts of any developers who failed to deliver on projects. 

The minister stated that while he supported local content, he did not support local content without capabilities.

Wike also appreciated the Senate and the House of Representatives for their support, while emphasising that governance was more important than political divides.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at the weekend declared that more things will happen in Rivers state.

Wike, accompanied by prominent politicians and former rivals from the state, attended the coronation of Dr. Kelly Fred George as Chief Diagbani (Fred) George Amachree II, Head of Diagbani Amachree Group of Houses in Buguma, Asari-Toru LGA. 

During the event, he expressed optimism about ongoing developments and hinted at further progress.

Dr. Kelly George, a staunch supporter of Wike, resigned from Siminalayi Fubara’s cabinet but later reinstated his position during the political turmoil in the state.

Wike made the statement with particular reference to the presence of his former rival and erstwhile chairman of the state chapter of APC, Ojukaye Amachree, in his team. 

Addressing the newly coronated chief, he said: “Everybody is here from Akuku Toru to Degema to Asari Toru. The former rival Ojukaye is here. That is to tell you that a lot of things are happening and more things will happen”.

Wike, who was received by the crowd that attended the event, expressed confidence in the ability of Dr. George to unite and attract development to his area of authority.

He said: “Use your position for the interest of your people. Do not use your position to divide your people. Use it to unite them, use it to bring development to your people, knowing you well I believe you would do the right thing.”

Wike described George, a two-term commissioner under him and current commissioner of Works as “a dependable friend and ally”. 

He referred to him as a “first class brain” and  “one of those you can give an assignment and go and sleep.”

He said:  “This is another important assignment, to keep villages and communities together is not an easy task.

“You have been given another onerous task to keep the values and culture of your people when education and modernisation is trying to take away all our culture. It’s a very high assignment but I know you are equal to the task.”

In the entourage of Wike were Martin Amaehule, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly; Chief Victor Giadom, National Vice-Chairman APC, Southsouth;  Chibudum Nwuche, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; Tony Okocha, Caretaker Chairman of Rivers State APC.

Others were Amb  Desmond Akawor, former Chairman of Rivers State PDP;  Ojukaye Amachree, former APC state Party Chairman;  Frank Owhor, Member North East Development Commission; Frank Ogiri, Commissioner, National Population Commission; Ken Chikere, Kenneth Kobani, Ephraim Nwuzi, Emeka Woke, Chidi Amadi, Marcus Nle-Eji, Isobo Jack,  Sam Oge, Gift Worlu,  Shy Olu, Deinma Iyalla, Sampson Parker among others.

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike says providing infrastructure in rural communities for sustainable growth and development is key in the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Friday, while inaugurating the construction of 7.2-kilometre road, linking Gaba and Tokulo communities in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

According to Wike, President Tinubu’s administration will touch all rural areas across the country with basic amenities and infrastructure  to transform rural economies

Specifically, he said that in the FCT, each of the six area councils would get three rural roads by the end of the year, which, according to him, had never happened since the creation of FCT.

He noted that part of the drivers of insecurity in the territory was the absence of basic infrastructure in rural communities.

Wike said: “When you do not have access to roads, it makes it difficult for even security agencies to carry out their jobs very well.

Read Also: FCT community bestows Warlord, “Sarkin Yaki” title on Wike

“It is important to note that, while we are fighting insecurity, we must also provide basic infrastructure.

“All rural areas are agriculture-based, so, if you do not provide access roads, how will they bring the produce to the market?”.

The minister noted that his administration is changing the narrative of project delivery in the FCT, adding that no project would be awarded without the funds to execute it.

He warned civil servants against unnecessary bureaucracy that would delay the timely delivery of the project.

“I will not tolerate civil service bureaucracy  to hinder service delivery in the FCT. Anybody who sabotages my efforts will also be sabotaged,” he said.

Wike directed the contractor, Setraco Nigeria Ltd to employ the youths – males and females in the community as part of workforce to execute the project.

He also urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the project.

The minister pledged that all abandoned projects in the area would be resuscitated and completed.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that the rural road construction project was part of the Tinubu’s administration commitment to reduce infrastructural deficit in FCT.

“The 7.2 km Gaba to Tokula road may seem like a modest undertaking, but its impact will be far reaching. It will enhance connectivity and reduce the challenges of insecurity,” she said.

Earlier, Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Mr John Gabaya, said that the project when completed would touch the socio-economic fabric of the area.

Gabaya said that the road was first graded during Ibrahim Babangida military-led government, connecting about five communities.

He appealed to the minister to complete some other abandoned road projects in the area.

The traditional ruler of the area, Esu Bwari, Mr Ibrahim Yaro, thanked the minister for the gesture.

Yaro described Bwari as the food basket of the FCT and announced the donation of two cows and tubers of yam to Wike and the FCT minister of state.

The Esu also announced the conferment of a traditional title, “Barde of Bwari” (Warrior of Bwari) on Wike in appreciation of his rural development projects

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the minister on Thursday inaugurated an emergency construction and rehabilitation of nine-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road, in Gwagwalada Area Council.

Private School owners in the FCT have pleaded with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to halt the implementation of the five percent tax imposed on school fees in private schools in Abuja.

The chairperson of the Association of Private School Owners, Rukayat Agboola, made the call in a statement.

The FCT Education Secretary had imposed a five percent tax on all private schools in the FCT.

The levy was communicated to the schools by the Department of Quality Assurance (DQA) under the Education Secretary, FCT.

This, she said, should be the Renewed Hope Palliative Grant of President Bola Tinubu through the minister to private schools in the FC.

Agboola said that the intervention would assist the schools to remain in business and continue to serve as reliable partners in the president’s and minister’s quest for mass and quality education.

She said: “For instance, under the newly introduced tax regime, a private school with say 100 students charging N100,000 per term is expected to pay N500,000 and N1,500,000 per term and yearly respectively.

“A school having 300 students is thus expected to pay N1,500,000 and N4,500,000 per term and yearly respectively.

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“The retrospective application of the tax starting from the day of registration and accreditation of each school will further exacerbate the financial challenges faced by longstanding educational institutions.”

Agboola said that the group had earlier engaged with the Mandate Secretary for Education and Director, DQA, on concerns about the taxes and the inconsistency of the charges on payable school fees.

She said that issues discussed also included the Value Added Tax Act which exempts educational services from value-added tax coverage.

Agboola said that unfortunately despite the groups’ efforts to convince the DQA to drop the idea of a 5% tax imposition charge on school fees.

“We are disheartened to learn of the approval, as conveyed through a circular posted on social media under the hands of the Head of Accounts, DOA Mudi Mohammed.

“The burden of taxes and levies on FCT private schools has become overwhelming, leading to frustration and closure of many private institutions. There are many taxes and levies that FCT private schools contend with annually.

“These are tenement rate, premises inspection, continuous habitation, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Signage, ARCON Registration, DOA levy, and Environmental/Sanitary inspection.

“Also Mobile Advert for school buses, FIRS and FCT-IRS, NSITF, CAC Annual return, CAC Company Income Tax, PAYE on Staff, DOA Yearly dues, DOA Accreditation and DOA Re-Accreditation,” she said.

She appealed to the minister to use his good office to halt the imposed taxes on school fees and harmonize the taxes and levies, as well as waiver all outstanding charges payable by private schools.

She also said that the group was willing to meet with the minister to further discuss the issue and collectively proffer solutions to enhance quality education in the FCT

A community in Gwagwalada Area Council of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has bestowed the traditional title of “Sarkin Yaki”, (Warlord), Paikon Kore on the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike,

The Aguma of Gwagwalada, Chief Mohammad Magaji announced this on Thursday when the Minister inaugurated an emergency construction and rehabilitation of nine-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road, in the area council.

Magaji who commended Wike for the giant strides in rural development within a short time he assumed office said they were eagerly expecting his approval for coronation.

While thanking the Minister for taking the bold steps to develop rural communities in the FCT, Magaji expressed the optimism that the project would facilitate development of the area

Inaugurating the project,  Wike said it was part of 30-kilometre roads that would be constructed across the six area councils of the territory.

He assured the residents that President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda was not mere talk but action.

The Minister explained that the road construction was designed to make rural dwellers comfortable and open rural communities for development.

He added that two additional roads would be constructed in each of the area councils before the end of the year, to add up to three rural roads per area council.

The minister blamed the spate of rural urban migration on lack of roads and other basic amenities needed to make life comfortable.

According to him, the project will not only address insecurity, but improve access to school, enable evacuating of farm produce to the market and boost economic activities.

The minister assured the contractor that funding would not be a problem, stressing that he would accept nothing short of expected quality.

“Funding will not be a problem but do it well; the people are entitled to quality roads.

“I will not tell you when I will come here for inspection. I will not also depend on a report from the director overseeing the project.

“What I will depend on is what I see with my own eyes,” Wike said.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, pointed out that lack of access roads in communities had stagnated development in rural areas..

“For too long, the lack of proper road infrastructure has hindered the progress of our rural communities.

“farmers have struggled to transport their produce to markets; students have faced difficulties reaching schools; and medical emergencies have been compounded by the challenges of accessing timely healthcare,” she said.

Read Also: Wike approves N30bn to rehabilitate schools in FCT

Dr Olusegun Olusa, Oversite Director, Satellite Towns Development Department, FCTA, said the project, awarded to Setraco Nigeria Ltd, will be delivered before May 29 to mark President Tinubu’s one year in office.

The Chairman, Gwagwalada Area Council, Mr Abubakar Giri, commended the minister for the gesture, which he described as the first rural project to be executed by FCT minister in the area.

Giri said the road, when completed, would improve security in rural communities due to improved access to communities and boost the economy of the people.

According to him, 90 per cent of the people in the area are farmers, who will benefit immensely from the road projects by evacuating agricultural produce to the market.

(NAN)