NEWS
I Won’t Fail FCT Residents, Wike Assures
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, at the weekend, assured Abuja residents that with the support of President Bola Tinubu, he can’t afford to fail in his duty as FCT Minister.
Wike stated this shortly after inspecting some ongoing road projects within Abuja.
He added that he has no reason to criticise his predecessors in office or give excuses.
The projects are, the provision of Wuye District infrastructure, the FCT Highway 105 (11km six lane dual carriageway) linking the Airport Expressway to Kuje and the official residence of the Vice President.
On his impression about the projects, Barr Wike said he was very happy with the speed and quality of work and commended the contractors.
He said the contractors have also assured that the Wuye/Wuse flyover, which is 85 percent complete and the Vice President’s official residence will be ready by May this year.
The Minister further stated that the FCT Highway 105 (11km six lane dual carriageway) linking the Airport Expressway to Kuje when completed, would open up the area and bring a lot of changes to the FCT.
keeping to faith with their commitment to handover the project by May.
According to the Minister, “I have to commend the various contractors, the Arab Contractors and Julius Berger. The first site we went to is almost 85 percent complete, one of those interchanges in Wuye District. The contractors are keeping to faith with their commitment to handover the project by May.
“And then we also went to the Kuje road which is the six lane road. It’s about 11 kilometers. That road from the airport road down to Kuje will open up that area of the Area Council. The last time when I went to flag off one of the rural roads,
road. It’s about 11 kilometers. That road from the airport road down to Kuje will open up that area of the Area Council. The last time when I went to flag off one of the rural roads, we didn’t see much about the contractors and I did say that the contractors are not serious. But going back there today, one is very impressed with the level of work and the quality of work. I’m quite impressed with what I saw”.
Speaking further on the official residence of the Vice President, the Minister said the contractors were at the stage of electrical installations, which might not be quite visible but assured that a lot of changes would be seen in the next few weeks while, assuring that the project would be ready by May.
He said, “We were at the VP’s residence which is being handled by Julius Berger and like I said, they have made further commitment that by May, they are going to hand over. Why we may not be seeing enough of what we think should be improvements is because they are concentrating on electrical cables. By the next two, three weeks, you will see a lot of changes. They are known for quality and we are really financing them well”.
Barrister Wike also reiterated that no ongoing project in the FCT would be abandoned. He said the projects that are considered as priority have been included in the FCT’s 2024 statutory budget for adequate funding.
According to the Minister, “We have always said that we are not going to allow any project to be abandoned. We have taken our priorities and most of these projects are also being included in our 2024 statutory budget, which will soon be presented to the National Assembly by Mr. President when he returns from Qatar”.
The Minister also addressed the concern of residents over the seeming delay in the road resurfacing exercise, particularly in the Asokoro District. He assured that the project would also be ready by May.
He said, “What we have said is that these things will be completed before or handed over by May. If you look at the AYA road, it’s being handled by Julius Berger and you know their own style of work, they like to scrape and then take all together when they want to asphalt. So, it is not as if it has been abandoned. When they want to asphalt, they take all at the same time. So, there is nothing like abandonment. What is important to us is if they are going to meet up to the date that they have committed themselves.
“Frankly speaking, I’m very happy with the quality and the speed. By May, a lot of Nigerians will see the changes as far as the FCT is concerned”.
14.The Minister was accompanied on the road inspection tour by the Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr. Hadi Shehu Ahmed, the Director Engineering, Engr. Obiora Ezeoha, former Senator representing the FCT, Sen. Phillip Aduda, senior officials of the FCT Administration, among others.
Earlier, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad said the Administration is currently constructing 11 kilometres of the 76-kilometre Kuje-Gwargwada-Rubochi-Abaji-Nasarawa six-lane highway.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed the allegation suggesting that internal sabotage within the Nigerian military contributed to the tragic events in Yelwata, Benue.The Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on Tuesday, said the claims were unfounded and not supported by credible evidence.
Gusau said the Nigerian military had consistently denied any involvement in the massacre. According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has publicly stated that the military was not responsible for the killings in Yelwata.“Furthermore, the Nigerian Military has emphasized its commitment to protecting civilians and upholding the rule of law.“There is no credible evidence to substantiate claims of internal sabotage within the military related to the Yelwata incident.“Investigations by independent bodies, including human rights organizations, have not found any links between the military and the perpetrators of the massacre.“The violence in Yelwata is part of a broader pattern of intercommunal clashes in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, primarily between farmers and herders.“These conflicts are driven by longstanding disputes over land and grazing rights, ethnic tensions, and competition for resources,” he said.Gusau said that while the military had been deployed to maintain peace, the root causes of the violence lied in complex socio-economic and political factors.He added that attributing the Yelwata massacre to internal sabotage within the Nigerian military was misleading and detracts from the real issues at play.According to him, it is essential to focus on addressing the underlying causes of intercommunal violence and to support efforts aimed at fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and sustainable peace in the affected regions.“The CDS has only called for a holistic approach and the need for the cummunities and the security agencies to work closer to address the issue.“He also call on the communities not to hide criminals and also assure them the military ans other security agencies are there to protect lives and properties of law abiding citizens,” he added. (NAN)
As part of sustained efforts to restore peace and stability across the North Central region, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed additional air assets under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ejodame said the strategic move had reinforced the NAF’s commitment to enhancing security, supporting ground operations, and reassuring communities affected by banditry, kidnapping, and communal unrest. He said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, conducted a firsthand evaluation of air operations under OPWS, to assess the effectiveness of these expanded efforts.According to him, the visit included a high-level strategic engagement held on Tuesday, at the Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.Ejodame said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; a representative of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Adm. Olusegun Ferreira; the Commander of OPWS; and the Maritime and Air Component Commanders, alongside other key stakeholders, were part of the meeting.According to Ejodame, critical updates were provided on the current tempo of joint operations aimed at restoring lasting peace across the region.In his remarks, the CAS revealed that the newly deployed air assets had been successfully integrated into ongoing operations, delivering real-time intelligence and precision targeting support.He stated NAF aircraft had continued to conduct surveillance, armed reconnaissance, close air support, and precision strike missions with remarkable success.Abubakar noted that the current deployment aligns with the Federal Government’s overarching mission to stabilise the Middle Belt region.He highlighted the impact of recent coordinated air and ground operations across Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States, which have led to the dismantling of several militia camps, bandit enclaves, and criminal hideouts.“These outcomes reinforce our unwavering commitment to protecting innocent lives and supporting national peace-building initiatives.“As long as peace is threatened, our resolve remains unshaken.“The NAF will continue to deliver timely, decisive air support in synergy with sister services, ensuring the protection of lives and properties while advancing our mission of restoring peace to the Middle Belt and beyond,” he said.The Service Chiefs jointly emphasised the importance of synergy among the armed forces and other security agencies, noting that jointness remains a cornerstone for operational success under Operation Whirl Stroke.They reiterated that the ongoing operations are part of a broader goal to create a secure environment where residents can live and conduct their legitimate activities without fear. (NAN)
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday restated the determination of his administration to fast-track approvals for viable infrastructural projects in the country.Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this known at the 2025 Nigeria Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit on Tuesday in Abuja.
The president therefore urged private sector partner to be focused and more committed. According to him, what matters to the average Nigerian is the availability of basic infrastructure such as power, roads, health facilities and quality schools. He called for a more strengthened public-private sector partnership that emphasises innovation, efficiency, commitment and integrity above mere capital and investments.” We need more than investment. We need innovation, we need efficiency, and above all, we need integrity.” I urge you to look beyond the risks and recognise the immense opportunity to shape a nation that is not just rising, but ready.“The projects that emerge from this summit must not gather dust on paper or linger in bureaucratic limbo.” We will fast-track approvals for viable projects. We will ensure coordination across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to enable swift implementation.“We do this because we know that what matters to the average Nigerian is not promises, but power in their homes, roads to their farms, access to clean water, modern hospitals, and quality schools. We must build.” We must deliver. And we must do it together,” he said.He observed that a 21st-century economy cannot be built on 20th-century infrastructure, pointing out that the “old model of public-only infrastructure funding is no longer sustainable.“Our national aspirations far exceed what public budgets alone can deliver. That is why we must innovate, and why we must work together.” We are not looking for investors to carry burdens. We are offering opportunities to create value.” We seek long-term partners who are ready to help us bridge our infrastructure gap with purpose and precision,” he added.Tinubu recalled that his administration, on assumption of office two years ago, was quite aware “that a functional relationship between the public and private sectors would be the magic wand of transformation.”He reaffirmed that the administration was still fully committed to that very public-private partnership that is passionate about delivering sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.” We have strengthened the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and enhanced its capacity to regulate, superintend, and de-risk PPP transactions.” We are determined to deliver infrastructure that is both sustainable and inclusive. Our economic reforms have laid a stable foundation.” From the removal of unsustainable subsidies to the liberalisation of the foreign exchange regime and the optimisation of government revenues, we have acted boldly and responsibly.“We are streamlining bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving transparency in our project pipelines.” We have aligned our processes with global best practices and investor expectations.”The President urged participants to ensure the event is “remembered not for fine speeches, but for bankable projects, signed deals, and enduring progress.”The Minister of Interior, Mr Tunji Ojo, commended the ICRC for championing game-changing projects across diverse sectors.Ojo noted that with President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima in the saddle, Nigeria is taking its rightful place in the comity of nations.The Regional Director, Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, IFC, Dahlia Khalifa, applauded the ongoing reform in Nigeria’s PPP framework.Khalifa acknowledged IFC’s collaboration with authorities across key sectors to achieve the country’s overall objectives and strengthening the existing relationship between the organisation and Nigeria.She added that Nigeria under President Tinubu has demonstrated strong commitments to timely and transparent resolution of disputes arising from PPP projects.Solomon Quaynor, the Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation at the African Development Bank, said the theme of the summit implies that partnerships are not just optional but are essential.He said the infrastructure deficits “demand that the government and the private sector work together in commercially viable PPPs.”Quaynor added that the bank was working with other partners on the Lagos-Abidjan highway project to boost regional economic integration in West Africa.“PPPs are complex long-term projects. They need to be designed properly and designed to survive different political administrations because by their very nature, they are long-term,” he stated. (NAN)
Police Arrests 42 Armed Bandits, Remands 10 Herders over Benue Killings
Share…’Religious Bandits Fueling Crisis’, Alia Insists From Attah Ede, Makurdi The Benue State Police Command said it has arrested 42...
Lassa Fever Death Rate Rises as Cases Spread — NCDC
ShareThe Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported a rise in the fatality rate of Lassa fever,...
CBN Takes Steps to Strengthen Banking Sector, Issues Routine Transitional Guidance
ShareThe Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has introduced time-bound measures for some banks still completing their transition from the temporary...
Cybercrime: First Bank Invests N15bn to Protect Systems From hackers in 5 months –CEO
ShareFirst Bank HoldCo Plc says it has spent more than N15 billion to protect its systems against criminals between January and...
Man Seeks Divorce After 17 years, Citing Loveless Marriage
Share One Moshood Kolobo of Temidire Community, Oko-Olowo area, Ilorin, on Wednesday applied to the Area Court, Centre-Igboro, for the dissolution...
GTCO Begins Deduction of USSD Fee From Airtime Balance
ShareGuaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), says it will begin the deduction of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD fee from the...
Man Remanded for Allegedly Raping Physically Challenged Teen
Share An Ikorodu Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 50-year-old man, Linus Anozie, in a correctional center for allegedly...
Amazon CEO Says AI to Reduce Number of Workers Needed
Share Amazon’s management on Wednesday said that it expects that artificial intelligence (AI) software will reduce the number of office workers...
Police Arraign Man Over Alleged Assault
Share The Police in Lagos on Wednesday arraigned a 36-year-old man, Joseph Obuseh, in a Badagry Chief Magistrates` Court for allegedly...
Police Grant Pastor Adefarasin Bail, Recover Stun Gun
ShareThe Police Command in Lagos State says it granted Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock...
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish