The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wike

  • N15b VP’s house: Wike knocks Obi, dares protesters

    N15b VP’s house: Wike knocks Obi, dares protesters

    • ‘Nothing will stop ongoing projects in FCT’

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has knocked this year’s presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, over his comments against the Federal Government’s plan to spend N15 billion on the residence of the Vice President.

    On Monday, Obi faulted the N15 billion allocation for the Vice President’s residence in a series of tweets on his X handle.

    He faulted the plan, saying it was “shocking and disheartening”, considering the many important challenges facing the country.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima responded immediately, berating the former Anambra State governor.

    A statement by Shettima’s media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, accused Obi of dancing “naked in the public square, trying to curry the attention of those who care to listen to his falsehood and warped opinions about waste”.

    In his response, Wike said Obi was still deluding himself that he won the 2023 presidential elections, despite ending up in a distant third position in the February 25 poll.

    The FCT minister spoke during the flag-off of the resurfacing of roads in Asokoro District of Abuja.

    He said rather than commend the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the LP chieftain and other election losers were whipping up sentiments.

    Wike said: “People should commend the administration and not make statements, blackmailing and telling the public lies, just like they told that they won an election when they never won any election.

    “Nigerians know those who won elections through the electorate. Nigerians know those who won the election through social media. Let them continue to tell lies.”

    Commenting on the action of some protesters calling for his removal from office, the FCT minister said: “On Wednesday, somebody told me that there were some people who were carrying placards. Frankly speaking, I don’t have time to even see that; I was busy. I don’t want to be distracted. We want to be focused and deliver on the mandate Tinubu has given to us.

    “One thing you must also understand is that this is democracy. So, people are entitled to their opinions. But what is important is: your opinion must be in line with what is good for the people of the FCT.

    “We cannot continue to do the same thing, the same way and expect to achieve different results. One of the big things about leadership is that you must be firm and bold and courageous to make a decision. We have taken decisions to make sure that our people are happy with this administration.

    “We have taken a decision to make sure that we will do the best for the people, as mandated by President Bola Tinubu.”

    Wike added: “In the policies you make, it may not favour so many people. But what is important is if the generality of people, and not some people who benefit at the detriment of others.

    Read Also: N15 billion VP house: Wike knocks Obi, says ongoing projects in FCT won’t stop

    “When you bring a policy that will bring change, so many people will kick against it. The few who benefit will kick against it. But when you are focused, they have no choice but to align themselves with the policies of the government…”

    Reminding critics about the condition of the FCT before the current administration came on board, Wike said: “Let me tell Nigerians: you must commend the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigerians forget easily. As the time we came onboard, all the contractors abandoned their work. Today, you can see that all the contactors have returned to site.”

    Also, Wike’s support swelled yesterday.

    Several groups, including Abuja indigenes, under the aegis of Nigerians Patriotic Forum; Rivers State elders, under the Coalition of Rivers Leaders of Thoughts; and a coalition of 124 civil society organisations (CSOs), under the aegis of Coalition of FCT Indigenes and Residents, expressed support for the minister’s actions.

    They urged President Bola Tinubu to ignore those calling for his sack and allow him to sanitise the capital city.

  • N15 billion VP house: Wike knocks Obi, says ongoing projects in FCT won’t stop

    N15 billion VP house: Wike knocks Obi, says ongoing projects in FCT won’t stop

    The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, December 7, knocked the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi over his comments on plans to spend N15 billion on the residence of the vice president.

    Obi had on Monday, faulted the N15 billion allocation for the Vice President’s residence.

    Obi, in a series of tweets on his X handle, berated the plan as “shocking and disheartening”, considering the many important challenges facing our nation.

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, responded immediately and lampooned Obi.

    In a release issued by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima’s media aide, accused Obi of dancing “naked in the public square, trying to curry the attention of those who care to listen to his falsehood and warped opinions about waste.

    He said: “For good 24 hours, Obi danced naked in the public square, trying to curry the attention of those who care to listen to his falsehood and warped opinions about waste.”

    Pushing the narrative further, Wike said Obi is still deluding himself that he won the 2023 presidential elections, despite coming in distant third position.

    Wike spoke during the flag-off of the resurfacing of roads in Asokoro District of the Federal Capital Territory.

    He said rather than commend the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Obi and others who lost elections are busy whipping up sentiments.

    Read Also: Wike’s calculated gamble on jinxed project

    Wike said: “People should commend the administration and not make statements, blackmailing and telling the public lies just like they told that they won an election when they never won any election.

    “Nigerians know those who won elections through the electorates. Nigerians know those who won the election through social media let them continue to tell lies.”

    Speaking of protesters, who want him removed, Wike said: “On Wednesday, somebody told me that there were some people who were carrying placards. Frankly speaking, I didn’t have time to see that, I was busy. I don’t want to be distracted. We want to be focused and deliver on the mandate Tinubu has given to us.

    “One thing you must also understand is that, this is a democracy, so many people are entitled to their opinions. But what is important is, that your opinion must be in line with what is good for the people of the FCT.

    “We cannot continue to do the same thing, the same way and expect to achieve different results. One of the big things about leadership is that you must be firm and bold and courageous to make a decision and we have taken decisions to make sure that our people are happy with this administration.

    “We have taken a decision to make sure that we will do the best for the people as mandated by President Bola Tinubu.”

    Speaking further, Wike noted: “In the policies you make, it may not favour so many people, but what is important, is the generality of people and not some people who benefit at the detriment of others. When you bring a policy that will bring change, so many people will kick against it. The few who benefit will kick against it. But when you are focused, they have no choice but to align themselves with the policies of the government.

    “Don’t disturb yourself about people who were paid and they have collected the money and it ended yesterday. Nobody should be worried that people are demonstrating, if they don’t demonstrate, is it the devil that will demonstrate, people must have work to do.

    “We can boldly tell Nigerians that in these few months with the support of Mr. President, this is what we have done. By the grace of God in the one year in office of President Tinubu, Nigerians will see what Tinubu has done in FCT.  And that is what we stand for. By May 29, 2024 FCT will roll out its achievements.

    “No contract will be awarded without funding. If we do not have the money, we will not be awarded the contract.   

    “Let me tell Nigerians, you must commend the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigerians forget easily, as by the time we came on board all the contractors abandoned their work. Today you can see that all the contractors have returned to the site.

    “We must try as much as we can finish all projects or at least 80 per cent of projects that were awarded by the previous government because the government is continuous.

    “There were projects that were awarded in 2001, 2010, 2015, these projects have been abandoned. Do you expect us to abandon the projects?

    “Even if the building of the Vice President which will gulp N15 billion is not to be used by the Vice President, it should not be abandoned. The Visiting head of state can use it.

    “We did not award that contract, it was awarded in 2010 and all we are doing because of our policy of not leaving other projects to be abandoned, we thought we should continue with the projects.

    “Look at the Millennium centre, it was awarded in 2001, it was abandoned and we thought that such a project was necessary to be completed.”

  • Call for removal: Abuja indigenes are with you, group tells Wike

    Call for removal: Abuja indigenes are with you, group tells Wike

    A group, the Nigerians Patriotic Forum on Thursday, December 7, expressed their support for the reforms implemented by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister Nyesom Wike.

    The group stated that the indigenes of the FCT are pleased with the reforms carried out by the minister

    During a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, the chairman of the group, Alh Aliyu Sani, urged President Bola Tinubu to disregard any calls to remove the minister from his position.

    He expressed confidence in the minister and his team to restore Abuja to its original master plan and make it beautiful, clean, and safe.

    The group said allegations of land grabbing and dispossessing people of their properties by Wike were false.

    Sani said that such allegations were propagated by interests that were benefitting from the corrupt system the minister is seeking to address.

    He said: “As you may be aware, a group of Professional protesters operating under the auspices of The Network of Civil Societies for Economic Sustainability led some people to protest against the hardworking Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

    Read Also: Wike’s calculated gamble on jinxed project

    In their address, they alleged that Wike is undermining the Renewed Hope of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “They further alleged that the FCT under Barr Wike has become the epicentre of controversy. They further questioned his land reforms and claimed that he was involved in land grabbing and dispossessing people of their properties. Nothing can be further from the truth, than this well-rehearsed and repeated falsehood.

    “Keen followers of the dynamic leadership of His Excellency Nyesom Wike, are aware of his resolve to ensure that all title owners revalidate their Certificate of Occupancy with new security features, which is the introduction of NIN for individuals and BVN for corporate bodies.

    “It is in the public domain that since the coming of Wike as FCT Minister, he has been able to liaise with the Corporate Affairs Commission, wherein they uncovered 189 fake companies that have been used to secure the allocation of choice lands in the Federal Capital. This discovery has led to the arrest, detention, and ongoing prosecution of two perpetrators of this crime.

    “It is normal for corrupt individuals and land grabbers to sacrifice everything they have acquired to frustrate this laudable initiative. We won’t be surprised if they further reinforce to cause anarchy in the city capital to derail this policy. The Honourable Minister who inherited the menace of “One Chance” criminality in the FCT has come up with a workable solution to the problem, which includes rolling out buses and taxis to be driven by identified and well-profiled individuals.

    “The political hirelings, who raised the weighty allegation that the administration of the FCT minister lacks accountability, failed to give one example speaking in innuendos. Our group has strong confidence in President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who excelled with flying colours from Chicago State University to see the lies in the unsubstantiated claims of the group who are on a mission to remove a minister whom they see as an obstacle to their quest hide wealth that was acquired in corrupt and can’t be accounted for.

    “The Patriotic Youth Forum wishes to therefore pass a vote of confidence on His Excellency Nyesome Wike for the successes recorded so far. The Abuja original inhabitants are with him, they will stand by him and we are ever ready to come out to counter any protest aimed at tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of Wike, thereby dwindling his renewed vigour towards revitalizing the nation’s capital.”

  • Wike’s calculated gamble on jinxed project

    Wike’s calculated gamble on jinxed project

    For what many consider his over-enthusiasm in raising N15 billion to complete the long abandoned vice presidential house, Nyesom Wike, Minister of Abuja Federal Territory has gone through great stress and strain this past week. But one thing that is going well for the minister is that you can predict his stand on most issues. That makes him less dangerous than many of his predecessors that have used their positions to inflict pain on Nigerians. It is therefore safe for one to conclude Wike’s desperate attempt to complete the N7.1billion ill-conceived ‘befitting residence for our vice President’ by May 29, 2024 was informed by any other consideration other than meeting President Tinubu’s expectation that he finishes all abandoned projects.

     But let us first situate the sources of our nation’s nightmare. Successive past ministers of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have always substituted their brain waves for state policies which they then imposed on Federal Housing Development Authority (FHDA) for implementation.

    It has also been established that the Abuja masquerades that  have used the FHDA as conduit pipes to fleece the country since 1999 are part of the military baked ‘new breed politicians’ who as creation of “Nigerian army of anything is possible” share the same mind-set with soldiers’ of fortune whose only orientation is sharing spoils of war after victory. It is therefore not a surprise that many of them have been indicted since 1999 through the courts or National Assembly probes for massive corruption executed through “privatization, monetization, unbundling of PHCN and Constituency projects policies or outright stealing by state governors.

    While 10 Downing Street, has remained the residence of the British Prime Minister since 1735 and the White House the official residence of American President since 1800 without serious structural changes, our own “Nigerian Defence House”, made up of the main residence/president’s office, Aguda House/Vice President’s office and guest houses, built by Julius Berger at a cost of N25billion in 1989, has according to FHDA gulped about N8b in the name of renovation in a little over a decade.

    It was  the Abuja minister and the  FHDA that unilaterally  declared the Aguda House  unsuitable for our vice president  and went on to secure the Federal Executive Council (FEC)’s approval for a N7.1bn contract  to put up what they describe as “a worthy edifice to house Nigeria’s Vice President’. The project according to Minister Dora Akinyili was to be completed in 20 months.

    We also got to know through FCDA’s Director of Public Building, Arch. Adebowale Ademo that it was not the vice president, the end- user that decided on the facilities needed in the building but FCDA. And their preference are: the main building, three different living rooms, the vice president private room and conveniences, the second lady private lounge as well as a “chapel, a mosque and a dormitory for the security personnel.”

    Read Also: COP28: NNPCL seals LNG, CNG deals for domestic, international market

    And just as work was expected to be nearing completion in 2012, it was also the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Bala  Mohammed who  insisted N9 billion more was needed to complete the project. The request was turned down by the 7th Senate even after the N9billion was slashed to N6billion by the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP). The then Senate Committee on FCT, led by Senator Smart Adeyemi said either N13 billion or N14 billion or N16 billion for the project was “indefensible”.

    His position was supported by the then chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Herman Hembe, his counterpart at the Lower House who expressed dissatisfaction with the level of work done despite the claim that about 87 per cent of the contract sum had been paid. It is also on record that it was the minister who, feeling dissatisfied with the verdict of the two houses, took the case before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) where the case stalled following President Jonathan’s insistence that the nation could not afford 120 per cent variation.

    It was also another minister  of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Adamu Aliero  who threw a jibe at Vice President  Osinbajo to attract his attention by claiming “The vice president is staying in a guest house (Aguda House) meant for visiting heads of state.” The vice president in 2016 decided to go and inspect the project that was up till then a monopoly of successive ministers of Federal Capital Territory. His report after the inspection was damning.  For him “the N6bn already spent on the project was a misapplication of funds”. His advice to FHDA was that the building be “considered for other use” since according to him, “there is no need for a new residence for the vice president as the current one, called Aguda House, is up to standard with enough space and well managed.”

    Osinbajo has said Aguda House is good enough for the vice president. Shettima the current occupier has also not complained. If I were to advise Minister Wike therefore, I will say he should separate himself from his predecessors who as shown above have always wept louder than the bereaved.

    I think we should also remind ourselves that it was the FHDA that   presided over the sales of Asokoro legislative quarters to the lawmakers, the sale of the Senate President’s mansion, (a national monument) to David Mark just as they did for Dimeji Bankole, the Speaker of the Lower House. While this macabre dance was going on, contracts for a new Senate President and Speaker’s residences were awarded. And while David Mark accused by EFCC of short changing the nation ran to court to defend his spoils of war, the proposed Senate President and Speakers mansions have also become abandoned projects.

    In view of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s verdict, I think I will align myself with Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)’s call on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to use his leadership position “to promptly reject the plan by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to spend N15 billion for the construction of a ‘befitting residence’ for the Vice President, Mr. Kashim Shettima.”

    The body’s claim  that  spending N15 billion on ‘a befitting residence’ for the vice president at a time when the federal government is set to spend 30 per cent (that is, N8.25 trillion) of the country’s 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion on debt service costs” will be a betrayal of the people, is unassailable.

    After all, we have been told that the house with split ACs fixed was nearing completion before it was abandoned. The then FCDA Executive Secretary, Adamu Ismail, was also quoted as telling the Senate Committee on FCT that the proposed additional N9bn ( slashed to about N6bn) by the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) was meant to provide furniture, fencing, two additional protocol guest houses, a banquet hall and security gadgets.

    Since the building can be put into other use in its current state, I think Minister Wike should just ignore the above variations and turn the building into other use as suggested by Osinbajo. 

    For him it becomes a win-win situation.  He would have with one single stroke met the expectations of President Tinubu, a leader he desperately wants to please.   He would have also distanced himself from his predecessors who for reasons other than altruism were prepared to shave others’ heads in their absence.

  • Abuja One chance victim died before arrival at FCT hospital – Wike’s panel

    Abuja One chance victim died before arrival at FCT hospital – Wike’s panel

    Despite claims on national television and social media suggesting that Ms. Greatness Olorunfemi, a victim of a ‘one chance‘ syndicate private cab operator, bled to death at General Hospital, Maitama, Abuja, evidence suggests she received immediate attention upon reaching the hospital’s Emergency unit.

    The findings of the 10-man investigative panel set up by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and inaugurated on October 4, 2023, by the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Adedolapo Fasawe, concluded that Ms Oluwafemi’s body was brought in already deceased and received prompt attention.

    Presenting the report to Fasawe on Wednesday, December 6, Prof. Aminu Muhammad, the chairman of the panel, stated that the investigation was comprehensive, involving interviews with all individuals connected to the unfortunate incident.

    He, however, said three individuals did not comply with the panel’s invitation.

    According to him, among other pieces of evidence, closed-circuit television footage demonstrated that the late Olorunfemi received attention from the Nurse on duty within 40 seconds of being brought into the hospital, and a passing medical doctor attended to her precisely at the 3-minute mark.

     The report also confirmed that the Casualty officer attended to the body within 5 minutes.

    Muhammad, the President of the Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria, stated that the House officer on call performed all essential checks to verify that the body was brought in deceased.

    Read Also: Six ways to avoid ‘one chance’ vehicles

    The security officer on duty confirmed the presence of a lifeless body in the vehicle, while the driver of the vehicle that transported the body informed the panel that he believed that the body was lifeless.

    The panel contested reports alleging that the victim was left to bleed to death, citing a lack of evidence of blood from the scene of the victim’s pickup to the vehicle that transported her to the hospital, or on her clothing to substantiate such a claim.

    The panel cleared the medical workers of any wrongdoing, stating that there was no evidence indicating that the medical officers insisted on a police report before attending to the victim, especially given the prompt response time of the officers to the victim.

    Muhammad stated that Ms. Olorunfemi received attention 40 seconds after being brought to the hospital at 8:35:10 pm and according to CCTV camera footage, she was attended to at 8:35:50 pm, 8:39:00 pm, and 8:41:00 pm, respectively.

    He highlighted that the viral video circulating on social media, depicting the victim in a sitting position, does not provide any indication of life while adding that the cause of Ms Olorunfemi’s death was strangulation.

    The panel also deemed the testimony of a witness who asserted being in the same vehicle as the deceased during a national television interview unreliable, citing contradictions in the date she provided as the incident date.

    In its recommendations, the panel emphasized the necessity for expanding hospital infrastructure in the capital territory.

    The panel highlighted that hospital services are insufficient, with shortages in both equipment and personnel, thereby compromising service delivery.

    While acknowledging that the medical officers did not adhere to professional standards by examining the victim in the vehicle and open space within the hospital rather than placing her on a stretcher and providing private treatment in an E&E unit, the panel recommended training and retraining for medical personnel employed by the FCT.

    The panel further recommended that the Police should initiate an investigation into the matter, and a comprehensive autopsy should be conducted to determine the definitive cause and precise time of death.

    In her remarks, the Mandate Secretary, Fasawe explained that the panel’s report has refuted the social media allegation that the deceased was brought into the hospital alive.

    She noted that the report indicated that it was evident that Ms. Olorunfemi was a victim of insecurity, and this had no correlation with the emergency response treatment provided by Maitama Hospital.

    However, she offered an apology to the victim’s family for the way the body was attended to in the vehicle, acknowledging that it fell outside professional requirements.

    Fasawe said: “I assure you that we are looking into all the deficiencies in our systems and we will be attending to these failures.

    “I will like to apologize to the family of Ms. Greatness for the way the body was treated, even after confirming that on the day of her demise, a human body, I will say should be treated with dignity and respect. And this will not happen in any of our hospitals again.

    “Once again, I commiserate with the family of Miss Greatness. We look forward to further police investigations into the cause of this avoidable death. We hope the perpetrators of this evil will be brought to justice.”

  • Wike to flag off rehabilitation of roads in Asokoro

    Wike to flag off rehabilitation of roads in Asokoro

    The minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, will tomorrow Thursday, December 7, flag off the rehabilitation of road projects in the Asokoro District of Abuja.

    This is part of his commitment to the maintenance and optimisation of public infrastructure as well as ensuring the seamless functioning of essential services in the nation’s capital.

    The Asokoro district, known for its significance and strategic importance in the city, will witness comprehensive road rehabilitation aimed at improving accessibility, traffic flow, and overall urban aesthetics.

    According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the director press of office of the FCT, Anthony Ogunleye, the initiative is a testament to the minister’s dedication to ensuring that public infrastructure is not only developed but also meticulously maintained to meet the evolving needs of the city.

    The flag-off ceremony will take place at the AYA roundabout in Asokoro by noon.

    Ogunleye said: “The following are the streets in Asokoro that are to be rehabilitated: Abdoul Diouf Street, Akenzua Street, Gado Nasko Close, Gnassingbe Eyadema Street, Haile Selassie Street, Julius Nyerere Crescent, Justice Roseline Ukeje Close, Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Kyari Mohammed Crescent, River Yambo Street, Maitama Sule Street, Nelson Mandela Street, Patrice Lumumba Street, Samora Machel Street, Siaka Steven Street, Udo Udoma Street, Ukpabi Asika Street, Williams Tolbert Close, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Aya Ramp, Aya Roundabout, Usman Fodio Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Muhammadu Ribadu Street, J. F. Kennedy Street, Ali Akilu Crescent, Ibrahim Taiwo Street and Justice G. Sowemimo Street/Jose Marti Crescent.

    Read Also: Wike lauds arm forces for dedicating their lives for Nigerians

    “Other locations outside Asokoro include Burundi Street,  Cabinda Street,  Damba Close,  Ndande Crescent,  Suez Crescent,  Lumsar Street,  Addis Ababa Street,  Manzini Street,  Benghazi Street,  Manapulane +Casamance Street,  Bamenda Street,  Lukulu Street,  Kamina Street,  Tamale Street,  Matadi Street,  Algeria Street,  ASBA / Dantata Street, Off Ring Road-2,  Queen Elizebeth Street and  Gashua Close, Area-8, Garki.

    “The FCTA wishes to inform the public that the affected roads will be partially closed to traffic and road users will be diverted to other adjoining routes to allow for smooth conduct of the rehabilitation works.

    “The general public is to further note that the FCT Department of Road Transport Services, the police, and the Federal Road Safety Corps have been duly informed of this exercise and will be on the ground to ensure seamless traffic control and management during the period of planned rehabilitation works.”

  • Wike lauds arm forces for dedicating their lives for Nigerians

    Wike lauds arm forces for dedicating their lives for Nigerians

    Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commended women and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for dedicating their lives to protecting the territorial integrity of the country.

    He also commended them for combating crime and terrorism within the borders of the country.

    Wike gave the commendation when he hosted 35 students of the Senior Course 46 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, who were on study tour in Abuja on Thursday.

    The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, said that their commitment to leadership skills and knowledge was crucial to addressing the complex challenges facing the nation.

    He said that the theme of the study tour, “Role of Government in Society’s Approach in Combating particular Internal Security Challenges for Enhanced Professional Effectiveness” was relevant to the country’s peculiar need.

    He urged the senior officers to share their insights, opinions, and experiences during deliberation on how best to combat criminal activities in Abuja and the country.

    Earlier, the leader of the team, Brig.-Gen. Oluremi Obolo, Director, Department of Land Warfare in the college, said that the team was one of the 10 teams selected for this year’s environmental study tour.

    Obolo said that other teams were deployed to different states across the country, including Niger, Nassarawa, Kano, Benue, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, and Ogun states.

    “The essence of the Tour is to sharpen the intuition of the students to be able to study the nation’s geopolitical, social, and economic interactions.

    “The essence is to see how the student can gain from such study tours and become better officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    Read Also: Wike defends over N61bn FCT supplementary budget expenditure

    He explained that the college has been training mid-level cadet officers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, neighbouring countries and beyond for over 47 years.

    He added that the current students, essentially of the ranks of Major, have been on the course since August and needed to syndicate what they have been studying with the situation on ground.

    The team lead extended an invitation to the minister to attend a lecture as the guest lecturer on the theme, “Leadership, Governance and Development”, scheduled for Dec. 19.

    This, he said, would boost the students’ understanding of governance and development. (NAN)

  • Wike defends over N61bn FCT supplementary budget expenditure

    Wike defends over N61bn FCT supplementary budget expenditure

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has the defended N61, 553, 778, 259.93 billion FCT 2023 supplementary budget appropriation before Senate Committee on FCT and the House of Representatives Committee.

    During his separate presentation before the committees, Wike told members the amount is required to complete projects that will have direct impact on Abuja residents in the first one year of President Bola Tinubu in office.

    He said the budget revenue sources will be inflows from Paris Club Refund, Payee Tax Liabilities, Special Intervention Funds (palliatives), Internally Generated Revenue and the Infrastructure support fund.

    According to the breakdown, the Minister revealed that Paris Club Refund supplementary revenue stands at N25,790.082,458; Refund of IPPIS/PAYE N14,320,372,647.53; Special Intervention Fund (palliative) N5,000,000,000.00; IGR N9,443,323, 154.00 and Infrastructure support fund which stand at N7,000,000,000.00.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly begins assessment of roads

    He informed top on the list of the projects will include Abuja rail mass transit, provision of mass transit buses/rehabilitation of existing and serviceable and expansion of roads.

    Wike identified others to include rehabilitation of National Christian centre and rehabilitation of National Mosque in Abuja and many others.

    The Minister explained that the mass transit buses will be launched in December to address challenges of transportation that pave way for one-chance operations.

    Wike said most of the strategic projects awarded for years were abandoned due to lack of funding, which he said his administration would not tolerated..

    Chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Hon. Muktar Betara, who lauded the Minister for his passion to develop the territory, however urged him to reconsider the uniformed fees for obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy, saying highbrow areas like Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse and others cannot have the same fees with the satellite towns.

    The Chairman Senate Committee on FCT, Ibrahim Bomai, also lauded the Minister’s initiative to complete ongoing projects while other issues like security, education and health were provided for in the 2024 budget.

  • Wike directs FCDA to provide infrastructure to build justices houses

    Wike directs FCDA to provide infrastructure to build justices houses

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to provide infrastructure in areas earmarked for building of justices residential houses.

    He gave the directive yesterday after inspecting the sites for the construction of accommodation for justices of the high Court, FCT high Court and Court of Appeal, Abuja division, in Katampe and Jabi areas.

    Wike, who was accompanied by top management staff of FCT Administration, said the initiative was in line with President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda, which according to him, is an indication that the agenda is not a mere talk.

    The minister had about two months ago, promised to address accommodation challenges faced by justices in the territory.

    Wike also inspected the site where a building collapsed at Jabi in 2008, where seven persons died.

    He called on the department of Parks and Recreation to come up with a design that will benefit from a world class memorial centre.

    According to the minister, work will start immediately after the FCT statutory budget of 2024 is passed.

    Wike said: “In line with the directive of Mr President that we must make sure that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not mere talking but to bring back that lost hope of Nigerians to believe that things can be done right again.

    Read Also: Okrika indigenes to Wike: We are behind you

    “We went to Katampe hill where we are trying to provide accommodation for justices of the High Court, FCT High Court and justices of Court of Appeal Abuja division, it was the result that we went to see the sites and we found out that the infrastructure is yet to be provided.

    “We have directed the FCDA to quickly see that they provide infrastructure in those areas so that we can start the residential buildings”

    He also said: “In 2008, there was a collapsed building where seven people died, where the FCT Administration decided to make the place a memorial complex in remembrance of those who lost their lives.

    “I asked the department of Parks and Recreation to come up with a proper design that will stand the test of time in a manner that people will remember those who lost their lives. We will start the work immediately when the FCT statutory budget of 2024 is passed, after the passage of the budget we will start the procurement process. “This will make us to build a benefiting memorial centre that the world will see”

  • Okrika indigenes to Wike: We are behind you

    Okrika indigenes to Wike: We are behind you

    The executive director of finance and administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Boma Iyaye, has said members from the Okrika nationality are ready to support the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

    Iyaye said this when Wike received members from the Okrika nationality who paid him a “Thank You” visit on Sunday, at his residence in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

    He disclosed that the funds for the landmark Borokiri/Okrika bridge project have been provided, while the process for the commencement of the infrastructure has kick-started.

    He appreciated the FCT minister for giving them the opportunity to visit him, pointing out that the minister has been good to him over the years which he promised to reflect in his planned Author Biography.

    Iyaye said: “We will follow you to anywhere you want us to follow because of your impactful contributions.”

    Wike appealed to Iyaye to change the narratives at the commission by embarking on major infrastructure projects that will have a direct impact on the lives of the Niger Delta people.

    Read Also: Ex-minister disagrees with Obasanjo over democracy not working for Africa comments

    The minister commended the Okrika people who deemed it necessary to visit and appreciate him for facilitating the appointment of one of their own to the Board of NDDC, saying that it is good to appreciate someone who has impacted your life.

    He advised Iyaye to as a matter of priority embarked on critical projects, like the Borokiri/Okrika Bridge that will connect the Niger Delta areas with the Upland in Portharcourt, not building only classrooms as obtainable in the past at the NDDC.

    Wike further disclosed that he supported the appointment of Boma Iyaye as the EDFA because of his unwavering commitment and loyalty over the years.

    He advised him to sustain the momentum, as people have lost hope in NDDC, which he must rekindle, in line with President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

    The minister also encouraged the Traditional Rulers from the Okrika Nation and other residents to support the President for the overall benefit of all and sundry.