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Tag: Wike

  • Insecurity: Wike condemns constant travels by Abuja council chairmen

    Insecurity: Wike condemns constant travels by Abuja council chairmen

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has frowned at the constant travels by area council chairmen in the wake of security challenges in the city.

    The Nation reports that Wike had summoned an emergency closed-door meeting with heads of security agencies in the FCT, as well as Chairmen of the six Area Councils, following the high rate of kidnapping and killings in Abuja by bandits.

    Read Also: Wike orders arrest of street lights vandals

    Wike stated that he would not be happy to receive news of Area Council Chairmen abdicating responsibilities and travelling, especially while there were security challenges in their various councils.

    He said: “This time around, we will not be happy when Area Council Chairmen will abdicate their responsibility and travel out. We have gotten reports that council chairmen travel anytime, and then if anything happens, of course, they will not call anybody’s name, they will call the FCT Minister.

    “However, we cannot fold our hands, we have invited them to a meeting this afternoon to see how we can also resolve the problem.”

  • Kidnapping, killings in Abuja: We are not sleeping – Wike

    Kidnapping, killings in Abuja: We are not sleeping – Wike

    Following the high rate of kidnapping and killings in Abuja by bandits, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed not to rest on his oars in securing the nation’s capital.

    He stated this alongside the minister of the state, emphasizing that other security agencies were vigilant and cognizant of the security challenges in the territory.

    Wike gave the assurance on Tuesday, January 16, in his office when he summoned an emergency closed-door meeting with heads of security agencies in the FCT, as well as xhairmen of the six Area Councils

    Recall that public outrcry had trailed reports of the deaths of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, who was kidnapped along with 22 others in the Bwari Area of the FCT, and 13-year-old Folasade Ariyo, who was kidnapped alongside eleven others, among whom were three of her siblings, and their mother at the Sagwari Estate Layout, in Dutse-Alhaji Area of Abuja.

    Following the killing of Folashade Ariyo, and two others, the kidnappers had proceeded to demand N700m in ransom for the rest of the victims, after initially demanding N60m, leading the Father of the late Folashade, Mr Oladosu Ariyo, to solicit help from the Nigerian Bar Association.

    Addressing reporters before the closed-door meeting, Wike said he and the Area council chairmen will join hands to proffer solutions to the security challenges in the country.

    He said all hands must be on deck, adding that they owed a duty to make sure Abuja is safe.

    Wike said: “All of us are aware of the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly Bwari and some other areas that have witnessed security challenges. Our concern is that for the Federal Capital Territory that has virtually every Nigerian, we owe a duty to make sure that this place is safe, to do all we can, and we assure Nigerians who reside here, that there is no need for panic.  

    Read Also: BREAKING: Wike holds emergency security meeting over kidnapping, killings in Abuja 

    “We are taking every step to make sure that those challenges are things that we must have to resolve. So, this meeting is practically to look into such challenges and see how we are able to resolve the problems. And that is why we invited all the council chairmen, because they also have a responsibility in their various area councils. So, we will put our heads together and come up with solutions. So, for the press, it is just for you to know that we are not sleeping, security agencies are also not sleeping. We will provide every support that they require in order to allay the fears of the citizens.”

    He also stated that he will not be happy to receive news of Area Council Chairmen abdicating responsibilities and travelling, especially while there were security challenges in their various councils.

    “This time around, we will not be happy where Area Council Chairmen will abdicate their responsibility and travel out. We have gotten reports that council chairmen travel anytime, and then if anything happens, of course, they will not call anybody’s name, they will call the FCT Minister. However, we cannot fold our hands, we have invited them to a meeting this afternoon to see how we can also resolve the problem.”

    Also present at the meeting was the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmud.

  • Insecurity: Wike urges FCT residents not to panic

    Insecurity: Wike urges FCT residents not to panic

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration is taking steps to address security challenges affecting some sections of the territory.

    Wike gave the assurance while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, before a close door emergency meeting with security agencies and other critical stakeholders in the FCT.

    The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that there has been a spike in the abduction and killing of residents by bandits, especially in Kuje and Bwari Area Councils.

    The minister, who acknowledged the challenges, urged residents not to panic, as government has taken measures to address the ugly situation.

    “All of us are aware of the security situation in FCT, particularly in Bwari and some other areas that we have witnessed security challenges.

    “Yes, I am aware that sometimes too, the press overblows what is happening, but all of us are concerned and we owe a duty to make sure that FCT is safe.

    “We will do all we can, and we assure Nigerians who reside here that there is no need for panic. We are taking every step to make sure that the challenges are resolved,” he said.

    The minister explained that the meeting was to assess the security challenges in the FCT and adopt practical solutions.

    He said that the meeting was expanded to include the Chairmen of the six area councils, because they also have a responsibility in ensuring peace and security in their areas.

    “So, we will put our heads together to come up with solutions; we are not sleeping, the security agencies are not sleeping, we will provide every support that they require to allay the fears of the residents,” he said.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Wike holds emergency security meeting over kidnapping, killings in Abuja 

    Wike frowned at constant travels by the area councils’ chairmen in the wake of challenges, particularly the current kidnappings and other  security issues in the FCT.

    He described the development as unacceptable, saying: “This time around, we will not be happy where area council chairmen will abdicate their responsibilities and travel out.

    “We have gotten reports that the council chairmen travel any time, and if anything happens, they will not call anybody’s name but the FCT minister’s.

    “So, council chairmen should know that they must wake up to their responsibilities. It is not everything that happens people will say that the ministers are not taking steps.” (NAN)

  • BREAKING: Wike holds emergency security meeting over kidnapping, killings in Abuja 

    BREAKING: Wike holds emergency security meeting over kidnapping, killings in Abuja 

    Following the incessant rate of kidnappings and killings of Abuja residents by bandits, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike is currently holding a high profile security meeting with security heads in the nation’s capital.

    Also in attendance at the meeting are Area Council Chairmen, to whom he issued a directive to enhance their efforts and address the challenge effectively.

    Read Also: Wike orders arrest of street lights vandals

    Wike said he is working round the clock in combating the bandits. 

    He urged Abuja residents not to panic.

    The minister assured that normalcy will soon return to FCT.

    Details shortly…

  • Wike orders arrest of street lights vandals

    Wike orders arrest of street lights vandals

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has directed security agencies to clampdown on criminals vandalising street lights in the federal capital, Abuja.

    Secretary, Command and Control Centre, Department of Security, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr Peter Olumuji, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja yesterday.

    Wike had on assumption of duty as FCT Minister, identified the restoration of street lights as one of his cardinal agenda to light up the city, as part of efforts to make Abuja a befitting capital city.

    However, while efforts were ongoing to restore and make all streetlights functional across the city, some miscreants resorted to vandalising the facilities, particularly the solar-powered ones in some parts of the city.

    While noting that street lighting of the FCT had improved drastically in line with the directive of the FCT Minister, Olumuji acknowledged the ongoing sabotage by unidentified criminals.

    He said that the FCTA Department of Security Service had received reports on the vandalisation of the streetlights, taking place mostly in the middle of the night.

    He said the reports indicated that the miscreants target the solar-powered streetlights, their batteries, solar panels, and the lightning mechanisms, including the poles.

    “The streetlights were bought with taxpayers’ money and installed to brighten the city at night and ensure that FCT is secured, but sadly, some criminal elements among us are vandalising them. This is sad,” he said.

    He said the FCT Minister had directed the Police Commissioner, FCT Command, in charge of internal security to clampdown on the criminals sabotaging ongoing efforts to light up the city.

    Read Also: Wike orders clampdown on street lights vandals in FCT – Official

    He added that the officer in charge of critical infrastructure and national assets at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) was equally asked to work with the police to track and arrest the culprits.

    “The minister had directed the security agencies to ensure that all the miscreants that go about vandalising streetlights are apprehended and prosecuted to end the wicked act.

    “They are making progress and soon, some of the vandals apprehended would be paraded and taken to court for prosecution. The streetlights were installed for the benefit of all residents and to enable people to move freely within the city at night.

    “However, you cannot vandalise the streetlights and still complain that the government is not doing anything,” he said.

    Olumuji said that while there are plans to replace the vandalised streetlights, residents should learn to take ownership of facilities installed in their areas by reporting any suspicious movement to security agencies.

    He explained that good illumination improves security within the city because no criminal element wants to operate under the glare of light.

    “They always carry out their trade under darkness. So, when you have all the streetlights working, it improves and aids better security of lives and properties,” he added.

  • Wike orders clampdown on street lights vandals in FCT – Official

    Wike orders clampdown on street lights vandals in FCT – Official

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has directed security agencies to clampdown on criminals vandalising street lights in the federal capital, Abuja.

    Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, Command and Control Centre, Department of Security, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja on Monday.

    NAN recalls that Wike, on assumption of duty as FCT Minister, identified the restoration of street lights as one of his cardinal agenda to light up the city, as part of efforts to make Abuja a befitting capital city.

    However, while efforts were ongoing to restore and make all streetlights functional across the city, some miscreants resorted to vandalising the facilities. particularly the solar-powered ones in some parts of the city.

    While noting that street lighting of the FCT had improved drastically in line with the directive of the FCT Minister, Olumuji acknowledged that the ongoing sabotage was by unidentified criminals.

    He said that the FCTA Department of Security Service had received reports on the vandalisation of the street lights, taking place mostly in the middle of the night.

    He said the reports indicated that the miscreants target the solar-powered streetlights, their batteries, solar panels, and the lightning mechanisms, including the poles.

    “The street lights were bought with taxpayers’ money and installed to brighten the city at night and ensure that FCT is secured, but sadly, some criminal elements among us are vandalising them.

    “This is sad,” he said.

    He disclosed that the FCT Minister had directed the Police Commissioner, FCT Command, in charge of internal security to clampdown on the criminals sabotaging ongoing efforts to light up the city.

    He added that the officer in charge of critical infrastructure and national assets at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps was equally asked to work with the police to track and arrest the culprits.

    “The minister had directed the security agencies to ensure that all the miscreants that go about vandalising street lights are apprehended and prosecuted to end the wicked act.

    “They are making progress and soon, some of the vandals apprehended would be paraded and taken to court for prosecution.

    “The street lights were installed for the benefit of all residents and to enable people to move freely within the city at night.

    Read Also: Wike: Detractors’ plots against me have always failed

    “However, you cannot vandalise the street lights and still complain that the government is not doing anything.,” he said.

    Olumuji said that while there are plans to replace the vandalised street lights, residents should learn to take ownership of facilities installed in their areas by reporting any suspicious movement to security agencies.

    He explained that good illumination improves security within the city because no criminal element wants to operate under the glare of light.

    “They always carry out their trade under darkness.

    “So, when you have all the street lights working, it improves and aids better security of lives and properties,” he added.

    (NAN)

  • Nobody has plotted against me and succeeded, Wike tells detractors

    Nobody has plotted against me and succeeded, Wike tells detractors

    • FCT minister apologises for not supporting Obuah’s governorship ambition

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has told his detractors that their plot to bring him down will fail.

    He said no such gang-up against him succeeded in the past.

    The former Rivers State governor spoke at the weekend when he visited his loyalist and former Rivers Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, at his Omoku country home in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.

    Wike, who was accompanied by the Minister of Petroleum (State), Heineken Lokpobiri, and other dignitaries, was received by a crowd of supporters.

    The FCT minister went down the memory lane, recalling the circumstances that surrounded his first meeting with Obuah, who is popularly called ‘Go Round’ and how their friendship had grown over the years, despite many challenges.

    He said Obuah had become a target by those plotting his downfall, adding that such persons would fail because God is with him.

    Wike said: “Anybody that God has raised, you cannot bring down. It doesn’t matter how many they are; it doesn’t matter the number of meetings they hold. They will not succeed.

    “It is not about today. You praise Wike. Heaven and earth know that without Wike, this and that. The next day, Wike must go down. It is not going to work. You cannot bring me down.

    “I’m not the most intelligent person; I’m not the most handsome person. But as it pleases God, He chooses to put me where I am. So, anybody wasting his time to plot against me, you are plotting against yourself.

    Read Also: Moghalu backs CBN’s decongestion move, says relocating staff to Lagos “logical”

    “They should go and check the history of those who plotted and what happened to them. They all failed. You must be a man of character.”

    Wike apologised to Obuah and the people of his local government for not supporting his governorship ambition in 2023.

    He said: “In 2023, if you look at those who ordinarily I should support for governorship, ‘Go Round’ should have been one of them at the forefront. That is if we do things based on your contribution, based on your support. ‘Go Round’ is the first of the two persons that ought to get my support.

    “…So, I used this opportunity to apologise to all of you in Ogba/Egbeme/Ndoni for taking a decision that hurt you. I’m sorry. It is because you know your judgment may not be right all the time.

    “But I’m a human being, I may make mistakes. But what is important is for you to realise that you have made a mistake and apologise to the people.

    “So, I beg you to beg ‘Go Round’ for me to forgive me. I hope one day another opportunity may come. But let nobody lose faith, let nobody lose hope.”

  • Wike: Detractors’ plots against me have always failed

    Wike: Detractors’ plots against me have always failed

    The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has told his detractors that their efforts to bring him down will be unsuccessful, emphasizing that past attempts to undermine him also failed.

    The former Governor of Rivers State conveyed this message over the weekend during a New Year visit to his loyalist and former Rivers Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah, at his Omoku country home in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni (ONELGA) Local Government Area.

    Accompanied by the Minister of Petroleum (State), Heineken Lokpobiri, and other dignitaries, Wike was warmly received by a crowd of supporters.

    Reflecting on the history of his friendship with Obuah, popularly known as Go Round, Wike recounted their initial meeting and highlighted how their bond had grown over the years despite facing numerous challenges.

    The minister said Obuah had become a target by those plotting his downfall but said such individuals would surely fail because God is with him.

    He said: “Anybody that God has raised you cannot bring him down. It doesn’t matter how many they are, it doesn’t matter the number of meetings they hold. They will not succeed.

    “It is not about today, you praise Wike, heaven and earth knows without Wike this and that. The next day Wike must go down. It is not going to work. The grace u carry you cannot bring me down.

    “I’m not the most intelligent person, I’m not the most handsome person, but as it pleases God He chooses to put me where I am. So anybody wasting his time to plot against me you are plotting against yourself. They should go and check the history of those who plotted what happened to them. They all failed. You must be a man of character”.

    Wike insisted that Obuah’s successes had brought many enemies to him and remembered how he was stripped off all his belongings by his predecessor to stop him from becoming the chairman of the party in 2014.

    He said: “My relationship with Felix Obuah started in 2004 when he became the Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. That was my second tenure and his first tenure. He showed that he is a man whom God has blessed and therefore he always contributes to people in appreciation of God’s blessings in his life.

    “And that is what brought about the nickname ‘go round’. Being a successful man is not the amount of property you have. Being a successful man is not how rich you are. It is the impact you make in the lives of people. You are a successful politician is not because you have been able to acquire a lot of wealth.

    “How many people can you identify that you have made a positive impact in their lives? Go-round is not just a successful man, he is a successful politician who has impacted people. That is why just ordinary family thanksgiving you can see the number of people that are here.

    “You must also note that this carries a lot of enmity, it brings a lot of jealousy and envy. Some so many people had the opportunity here from the local government and may have been this and that, can they say while they were there, they were able to do this and that?

    “That is why everything is being done to bring Felix Obuah down. But nobody can bring anybody down. Felix Obuah is a man of character. Do you know why he was denied chairmanship of ONELG in 2006/2007? I can tell you. We were all together working for one gubernatorial candidate and because he was supporting that gubernatorial candidate they denied him a ticket.

    “But did he die? Did he go down? Rather he is going up and up. Now when the battle was tough that is how you know men of character. In 2014, this young man was to run for chairmanship of the PDP in the state. It was very turbulent. The then Governor, my predecessor took everything that this young man worked for in life, his lands in Omoku, his lands in Port Harcourt, his school, and the government of Rivers State then revoked it for public purposes just to punish him and to make him say look I’m not going to run for this chairmanship of the party again.

    “His lovely wife came while we were in Abuja saying sir, this is all we have. How are we going to train our children in school? What is the Chairman of the party? He told the wife I was not born with this property, it is by the grace of God. God gave me the strength and the enablement I have to buy this and that and do this.

    “It is the same God, who wants me to do this and he will not allow me to go down. But I’m going to contest for the Chairmanship. He did it to the glory of God and he won. He took over the machinery of the party and supported me, I became Governor.

    “And those things which God gave him which somebody has decided to take, I didn’t waste time I said take back your property. Today is he not the one here? There is nothing that I have told around to do, he may not be happy, and it may be painful to him, but one of those people who will not hesitate to say well since you have said I should do this I will do it”.

    Wike used the opportunity to apologize to Go Round and the people of the local government for not supporting the governorship ambition of their son in 2023.

    He said if support and contributions were the yardstick used to decide the governorship candidate of PDP in the last election, he would have supported Go Round.

    Wike said: “In 2023 if you look at those who ordinarily I should support for governorship, go-round should have been one of them at the forefront. That is if we do things based on your contribution, based on your support, go-round is the first two persons that ought to get my support.

    “I summoned him to my house. So I used this opportunity to apologize to all of you, for Ogba/Egbeme/Ndoni for making a decision that hurt you. I’m sorry. It is because you know your judgment may not be right all the time.

    “But I’m a human being, I may make mistakes. But what is important is for you to realize that you have made a mistake and apologized to the people. So I beg you to beg go-round for me to forgive me. I hope one day another opportunity may come. But let nobody lose faith, let nobody lose hope. Whom you are you are. No amount of gang up that can make you to lose faith in your God.

    Read Also: Betta Edu: Ohaneze youth wing backs Tinubu, condemns media

    “We will still be what we are. That strength that God has given us, that know how that God has given us we will replicate it at the appropriate time. At the appropriate time, we will know who knows left and who knows right. So this is not the time for politicking.

    “Leadership is all about firmness. Leadership is all about courage. Leadership is all about transparency. When a leader takes a wrong decision nothing stops that leader from coming back to say I’m sorry for that decision I took. That is leadership.”

    Wike observed that his detractors were trying to downplay his achievements in office and his influence in the party especially ahead of the last elections adding that some people were referring to him as wicked.

    He said: “Anything anybody wants we have the capacity. Somebody said here about Egi, I don’t want to go there. Somebody said they brought the Deputy Governor. They brought the deputy governor now not so. No problem. We know how water entered the melon.

    “Some people today are claiming they brought. No problem. I’m not dragging anything with anybody but what is important is that all of us know how water entered the melon. Before I left office, I finished the first phase of the dualization of Ahoada to Omoku.

    “And I told you I’m going to start the second phase from Ojoko down to Omoku. I prepared the payment and said every month Julius Berger be taking N4billion. Dualization from Emuoha to Kalabari I awarded to Julius Berger, collect so and so amount of money every month.

    “I initiated the ring road. As Governor I approved it at the State Executive Council because I believe, that there will be continuity and consolidation. I laid the foundation but nobody laid the foundation for me. I came, I saw nothing. No handover note to me.

    “I didn’t have a car even for my swearing in I had to borrow a car from Ondo State. The Governor of Ondo State then, Mimiko donated their car for us to use for my swearing-in. But before I left as Governor I provided vehicles for everybody that was coming as Governor and Deputy Governor.

    “Don’t bother about people abusing me on social media. Is it a ghost they will abuse? Why are you people worried? They said Wike wicked. Don’t worry yourself. It is the same wicked man that asks go round to step down.

    “I was wicked then when I asked go-round to step down, Boma Iyaye, step down, so so person step down. And you benefitted from the wickedness. Don’t worry, whatever you sow you will reap”.

    Wike said he would not play politics with the peace of Rivers adding that the electoral positions shared between APC and PDP in the state should remain in the interest of peace.

    He asked the people of the council to keep supporting Go Round and to remain alert reiterating that he would continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s disposition for peace in Rivers.

    Wike said: “I didn’t come here to talk this party and that part, no. At my level now my own is to bring everybody together. When you see two of your children quarreling do you need to take sides?  Your own is to preach peace.

    “APC and PDP I bring peace unto all of you. So you people should maintain peace. PDP has a local government, PDP has National Assembly, PDP has a governor. APC has taken Assembly. That is why APC can come out here and talk. That is why PDP can talk.

    “But if only one team has taken all, there will be a crisis. It is not good to be too greedy. That is why you are seeing peace now. And peace shall reign in this state. Let me also tell you Mr President has called us and Oba spoke to me. If there is one Traditional Ruler I respect it is the Oba of Ogbaland, His Eminence. I said it in his palace not because of him but even when the late eminence was there, He was one of the people who blessed me when I was going for Governorship, and His Eminence cannot tell me something I said now.”

  • Rivers crisis: We have fulfilled our part of peace accord, says Wike

    Rivers crisis: We have fulfilled our part of peace accord, says Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, January 12, said that his camp had fulfilled its part of the peace accord initiated by President Bola Tinubu and endorsed by all the parties involved in the Rivers state political crisis.

    Wike, a former Rivers Governor, spoke when he visited the Oba of Ogbaland in the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers, His Royal Highness Eze Nnam Obi III.

    The minister told the king that he was disposed to peace in the state and would not disappoint the monarch.

    He said: “We accepted whatever decision Mr. President has taken and we have on our own part fulfilled every condition given by Mr President because I told you I will not let you down.

    “It just to let you know that your request of making sure there is peace in the state of which you asked Mr President to intervene, we have accepted.

    “And I want you to use this opportunity to continue to pray for Mr President for God to continue to give him wisdom to pilot the affairs of this nation”

    Read Also: Wike angry over poor state of Abuja Metro rail

    Wike eulogised Tinubu for intervening in the crisis and demonstrating his interest in peace.

     The former governor said: “He is not from this state. So many people have piloted the affairs of this country, the crisis has engulfed other states and you hardly would see somebody to come out and say irrespective of the political party, I need peace in the state.

    “If there is peace in the states, it will help peace in Nigeria. So, I will urge you and your council to continue to pray for Mr President for God to continue to give him wisdom to pilot the affairs of the country.”

    Wike was accompanied by the Petroleum Minister (State), Heineken Lokpobiri; his predecessor, Chief Timipre Sylva; Felix Obuah, Senator Sam Anyanwu, Senator Barinada Mpigi, and Chief Victor Giadom.

  • Wike angry over poor state of Abuja Metro rail

    Wike angry over poor state of Abuja Metro rail

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday expressed shock over the state of the Central Metro Rail Station and the Kukwaba stations.

    Wike warned that he will not tolerate excuses from the contractor, Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).

    He gave the warning when he inspected the Metro Train Station in the Central Business District, and the Kukwaba II station in the Piwoyi district alongside top officials of the FCT Administration.

    Wike also expressed shock over the state of insecurity at the Central station and the engineering design of the Kukwaba station.

    He said the contractor will have to work round the clock to be able to ensure the delivery of the project by the given deadline of May 24.

    Wike had promised that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would ride on the train and Commission it May 29 to mark his one year in office.

    He said: “When we first visited the Metro station, I discovered that there were many security lapses, and I remember when I first came after our inauguration, I did say that we have to work on the issue of security by putting up the fence around the Metro Station, to ward off criminals, but unfortunately, that has not been done. To my surprise, it was discovered that the contract was not even awarded to CCECC, it is a different contract awarded by the FCT, and this is my first time hearing that and we are going to take it up immediately, to see that it is being put in place.

    “We must also talk about the kind of vandalization and stealing that is going on there. We have security companies that were awarded contracts to secure those areas, yet things are happening. Excuses are being given on how security agencies release those that are caught but for me, that is not enough, and we are going to make sure that we have a different method to be adopted, to see that we can’t continue to give excuses every day.

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    I have also directed that all the stations must be cleaned and also all the necessary things there must be provided. There’s no room for excuses at all”.

    On whether the state of work at the stations could affect the May 24 deadline, the Minister said he was not a pessimist, and expressed hope that the project will be ready before May.

    He added that companies handling the projects must speed up work.

    “This is one project that I’m so passionate about, and you know that Mr. President gave me a directive that must not be taken for granted. Therefore, we must come and make sure that things are in good shape. So, I’m not happy, the company must speed up, and those who are doing the access roads must also speed up. Here we are standing, and we have been assured that this road will be completed before May, we just hope so and this is the best I can tell you now. I’m not a pessimist, but also, I doubt. But by putting all our energies together, we might achieve it”, he stated.