Connect with us

NEWS

Transforming Abuja: Nyesom Wike’s Development Initiatives in the Federal Capital Territory

Published

on

Share

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Dr. Mariya Mahmud on the 21st August, 2023 assumed office as the 17th Minister and the 12th Minister of state of the Federal Capital Territory respectively shortly after their inauguration by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Wike who is immediate past Governor of River state, when he assumed office as Minister in his office while speaking to journalists pledged to make Abuja safe for all Nigerians saying that he has the full support of Mr President to bring immediate solution to the challenges facing the nation’s capital.
The FCT Minister said: “The President has given us the marching order, we must bring FCT back to what it is supposed to be and we are willing and we have the capacity to do that. That is what we have come to tell members of the media. It is not going to be business as usual.”The Minister continued: “So many people have complained that FCT has lost focus; so many people have complained that this is not the FCT they know, this is not the FCT of the founding fathers; it is not the FCT that they thought will compete with other cities of the world. And now is the time we must show that the Federal Capital Territory Abuja should be one of the cities that will compete with other cities of the world”.Wike also assured Abuja residents of massive infrastructural development, increased Internal Generation of Revenue, IGR, proper sanitation of the city, tackle the challenges of land speculation, insecurity, alternative transportation to motorcycles and tricycles in the Federal Capital City (FCC) would be provided to make movement in the FCC and from the suburbs to the FCC easier for commuters, stressing that mass transit buses and the Abuja Light Rail would be made functional again.Looking at all these promises from the Minister who assumed office exactly a year ago, what are those things he has achieved in just one year.To mark the one year in office of President Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister announced 9 days of inauguration of completed projects in FCT, these projects included inauguration of commercial operation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit, the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from the Villa Roundabout to the Ring Road 1 with four number of interchanges as well as the B6 and B12 Circle Road.The FCT Minister also inaugurated in February 2024, Wike inaugurated the resurfacing of 189 roads and remedial work on bridges in Maitama, Garki, and Utako districts, covering 57 kilometers across the three districts.These projects demonstrate the minister’s commitment to improving infrastructure and providing housing in the Federal Capital Territory.The Minister has started the construction of 30 Kilometres roads across the six area councils of the territory, most of the roads have been confirmed to be completed before the end of 2024.Wike has been instrumental in transforming Abuja, through these various development initiatives. Since assuming office, Wike has implemented numerous projects aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing security, and promoting economic growth.This essay will explore Wike’s development initiatives in Abuja, highlighting their impact on the city’s residents and the nation at largeAccording to Wike, prioritizing infrastructure development is because he recognizes its critical role in driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for Abuja’s residents.

In order to address the scourge of insecurity that reared its head the Minister donated operational vehicles, motorcycles, equipment and accessories to security agencies and vigilantes in FCT.On job creation, the minister’s initiatives have led to job creation in various sectors, including construction, hospitality, and services.Taiwo Aderibigbe, has been living in Abuja for over 20 years and he is the former chairman of Pegi Estate Community Development Association, PECDA, while speaking with Daily Asset, this is first time in 18 years that FCT is seeing remarkable infrastructure development and transformation, although more need to be done especially the decades abandon roads like Pegi-Dafara-Kuje and Apo-Wassa-Kuje roads.He said, “Indeed, it’s been a remarkable year. Chief Wike’s appointment was a masterstroke by President Tinubu, promoting national integration and democracy. For the first time in eighteen years, we’ve seen significant infrastructure development and transformation in the FCT, reminiscent of Mallam Nasir Elrufai’s tenure.”Within his first year, the Minister has increased the FCT’s internally generated revenue, reactivated thriving Area Council projects, and demonstrated political will in strengthening the bureaucracy. He also implemented the long-awaited FCT Civil Service Commission, allowing civil servants to aspire to the peak of their careers. His commitment to grassroots development is evident in his tours of the six Area Councils, interacting with residents, and assuring them of more projects.”The Minister has completed several high-impact projects, including the Wuye/Wuse Interchange Bridge, Constitution road by the USA embassy, Durumi Bridge, and Apo road, among others. These projects have transformed the city center and reduced congestion. No Minister has achieved this much in just one year”He appealed, “While we commend the Minister’s achievements, we urge him to complete decades-long projects like Pegi-Dafara-Kuje and Apo-Wassa-Kuje roads. These projects will reduce traffic gridlock, travel time, and open up more districts for development. We need more people-based infrastructural projects to feel the impact of government at the grassroots”.Even though more needs to be done especially in the area of land grappling, racketeering, and speculation, in the area of development of area councils which has been neglected by the past administration. The people in the area councils need to feel and see the presence of the government. Thank God for the new FCT Minister and Minister of state who are poised to ensure the development of both the satellite towns and the city center.Wike has shown this by the various ongoing projects ongoing in the area councils.In conclusion, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s development initiatives in Abuja have transformed the city, making it a hub for economic growth, infrastructure development, and security. His efforts have improved the quality of life for residents and made Abuja an attractive destination for investors and visitors. As the minister continues to implement his vision, Abuja is poised for even greater growth and development.

NEWS

Emulate Komaiyas Kingdom First Leadership Style, Ashimolowo Urges Leaders

Published

on

Share

By David Torough, Abuja

The Senior Pastor of, Kingsway International Christian Centre (KiCC), Pastor Mathew Ashimolow has called on leaders to emulate the leadership model, style and kingdom-minded approach of Pastor Korede Komaiya.

Ashimolowo made the remark during his visit to the newly dedicated Dreamland complex at Master’s City, Warri, where he ministered on the theme, “Timely Technology for Timeless Truth.

Speaking at the event, he emphasized the need for a generation of leaders who are spiritually grounded and equipped for contemporary challenges.

According to him, “This time requires leaders who are spiritually deep, mentally sharp, emotionally stable, and financially wise. What we see here today is the result of Pastor Komaiya’s kingdom-mindedness, heart and unwavering commitment to God’s work.”

Commending the vision behind the project, Ashimolowo noted that many leaders would have prioritized personal luxury over such a monumental kingdom investment.

“One thing I can tell you about this big work is that, many people would not build something this massive when they could build mansions for themselves. Yet, he still lives more or less in a rented place and modestly because his heart is kingdom-first,” he said.

He further stressed the importance of sacrificial leadership and investment in God’s work, adding that leaders must set the example for those they lead.

“Kingdom-mindedness is not common in this generation, especially among founders. If you cannot invest in your own ministry, how do you expect your members to invest? People are watching your priorities and your commitment,” Ashimolowo stated.

Expressing his admiration for the project, he recalled his reaction when he first saw images of the completed facility.

“I had never been here before, but when they sent me pictures after the finishing touches were completed, I was overwhelmed. I found myself speaking in tongues because I did not know what else to do,” he added.

The newly dedicated Dreamland complex, located at Master’s City, KM 3 Refinery Road, Warri, Delta State, features two four-storey wings equipped with elevators, a central heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, as well as a state-of-the-art main auditorium built to international standards.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Abuja Millennium Tower Costs N400b, Says Wike

Published

on

Share

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Thursday explained that the cost of completing the abandoned Millennium Tower project in Abuja has increased to between N300 billion and N400 billion.

The FCT Minister added that the increment in the cost of completing it based on the present budget of the administration, has made it financially unviable because it would affect other ongoing projects.

Wike stated this during an inspection tour of inspecting the ongoing construction of the extension of Collector Road CO1 linking Nile University area in the Institution and Research District with Lugbe, Abuja and the Arterial Road N1, from Wuye District to Ring Road II, Abuja.

The minister revealed that he has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to step in, reconsider the complex as a strategic national project, and assume its funding.

According to the minister, tying down such an enormous capital outlay to a single project would effectively cripple the territory’s finances and force the administration to abandon several other critical infrastructure projects needed across Abuja.

Responding to inquiries about the long-delayed landmark, Wike emphasised the need for a realistic approach to the city’s development priorities.

He said, “Well, you know that’s a national project. And I believe that it’s one project that the government should reconsider. It should be a tourist centre project. The capital involved is too huge for the FCT to handle as a single project”.

Tracing the genesis of the signature edifice, Wike noted that the contract was originally awarded decades ago under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

However, the minister said years of neglect, economic shifts, and delayed execution have pushed the financial requirements to an unprecedented high.

Wike further explained, “We have discussed with the contractor. Remember that the project was awarded under Obasanjo’s regime

“As I speak to you, it’s not less than 300 to 400 billion Naira that the contractor is talking about. And if you look at it, how do we carry out such a project? It means that every other project in Abuja we will have to abandon. But we are still talking to the President that he should reconsider it as a national project. So, that’s where we are”.

Despite the setback posed by the massive cost of the Millennium Tower, Wike expressed strong satisfaction with the pace and quality of ongoing infrastructure development across the territory, particularly praising major construction firms handling critical corridors.

On ongoing projects, Wike assured residents that all ongoing infrastructure projects awarded by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will be completed before the end of the year, expressing confidence in the contractors handling the various road projects across the capital city.

Wike said the Tinubu administration remained committed to delivering every project it had initiated, insisting that no road project would be abandoned.

“What should concern you is whether there is any project we have started and abandoned. Look at even the projects that were awarded since 2010. We have tried to see that all are completed, and the ones that this administration has awarded will also be completed,” the minister said.

He added: “I don’t want to be pessimistic. I’m very optimistic that all the roads that we have gone for inspection, after the commissioning and flag-off, will also be done. As far as I’m concerned, the latest by the end of this year.”

Continue Reading

NEWS

Obasanjo, Atiku’s Achievement Still Unbeaten, Says Lekan Ojo

Published

on

Share

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Jackson Lekan Ojo, has declared that no administration from 1999 to date has surpassed the achievements of the Obasanjo/Atiku administration.

Reacting to the recent attack on the former vice president by Presidency officials, Ojo lampooned them and stressed that there is nothing to show on the scorecard of the Tinubu administration apart from mounting debts.

According to him, “Most of the guys in the Presidency are unnecessarily loquacious. They speak, they are not thinking, they speak but they are not communicating.

How can somebody on this planet earth in this administration refer to the Obasanjo administration as wasted years. Honestly, most of the things we are enjoying today are from the Obasanjo/Atiku regime.

“The debt forgiveness is from the regime; the first time that we have EFCC that they are using today as a tool is from the Obasanjo/Atiku regime; the GSM revolution is from the regime; Due Process that a lot of government officials are no longer following today in the award of contracts is from the regime; ICPC is from the regime.

“Do you know that it was Atiku Abubakar that checked Sharia law, appealing to everybody and they respect him and the country was peaceful until Obasanjo second tenure when he started nursing tenure elongation and Atiku disagreed with him.

“That was why Obasanjo was not able to penetrate Northern Nigeria. That time he has already written off the office of the vice president.

“Obasanjo achieved all these things during his first tenure when Atiku was the chairman of the National Economic team. There wouldn’t have been political stability at that time because Obasanjo was not a democrat; he was a military man. It was Atiku as vice president that stabilized democracy. It was during this period that people like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala were brought home to this country when Atiku was chairman of the Economic team. People like Nuhu Ribadu, Oby Ezekwesili, Adeshina, and a host of others were brought in.

“Who is the Okonjo-Iweala in this administration, who is the Ezekwesili in this administration? Who again can serve as chairman of EFCC like Ribadu or El-rufai?

“Do you know during that time you can remember names of all Ministers because they were performing but how many Ministers today do Nigerians know their names?

“If Obasanjo was not nursing tenure elongation during his second term he would have been able to work well with Atiku. All the telecommunication and other achievements we are talking about today were all achieved during the first tenure when Atiku was chairman of the Economic team.”

Dr Ojo also faulted claims by the presidency that the Obasanjo/Atiku administration is responsible for huge pension debts.

Speaking at the 2027 general election, Dr Ojo expressed optimism that the ADC presidential candidate has the capacity to upstage President Tinubu.

“It is not Atiku’s battle. Today in Nigeria Atiku is the most popular, most relevant, he has the geopolitical spread. He has relationships with the South East and South West by marriage; he has business across the country, he has the capacity. 

“He has the political clout and sagacity to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The battle ahead is the battle of the populace. 90 percent of Nigerians are living below the poverty line.

“There is no time in Nigeria’s history that we don’t have a middle class but today we have only the rich and the poor. Small scale industries are no longer working. How much do you barb your hair now? What you used to pay for a return ticket for a flight between Lagos – Port Harcourt cannot even party for transport by land today. The air is not affordable, the roads are not safe. What is this government doing?

“How much was University school fees before. Is it this deception called a student loan? You are giving students loans when they are going to pay when there are no jobs after graduation. In the future if they want to contest for any position they will tell them they owe the Federal government. You are impoverishing people and you are plugging them into tactical indebtedness.

“How much is fuel today. When Buhari was paying subsidy how much did he borrow? Now that we are not paying for subsidy we have out borrowed Buhari’s eight years within three years. How much did Obasanjo and Atiku borrow during their time?

“The battle in 2027 is between the people, the APC and Renewed Hopelessness. People are crying. Kidnapping was limited during the Goodluck Jonathan administration to North East but today North East, North West, South East, South West, North Central are all affected.

“What is the achievement of this administration? This administration has failed woefully. This is the most corrupt administration in the history of military and democratic government in this country. This is the first time that we are hearing anything about a fake parastatal.”

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Top Stories

NEWS1 day ago

Emulate Komaiyas Kingdom First Leadership Style, Ashimolowo Urges Leaders

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Senior Pastor of, Kingsway International Christian Centre (KiCC), Pastor Mathew Ashimolow has called on leaders...

security2 days ago

Troops Neutralise Over 102 Terrorists, Rescue 393 Kidnap Victims, Arrest 345 Suspects in July

ShareBy David Torough, Abuja The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) neutralised more than 102 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested...

Entertainment/Arts/Culture2 days ago

Kanye West, Former Assistant Settle Sexual Harassment Case

Share‘Supergirl’ hits N164m, ‘Moana’ earns N86m in West Africa  ‘Supergirl’ and ‘Moana’ have recorded impressive box office performances, highlighting the...

Entertainment/Arts/Culture2 days ago

Phyno Releases ‘Na Afa Nna’ Freestyle, Hints at Forthcoming Album

ShareNigerian rapper and songwriter, Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike, popularly known as Phyno, has released a new freestyle titled “Na Afa Nna.”...

Entertainment/Arts/Culture2 days ago

Peter Okoye Calls Out Rudeboy for Shading Him amid Public Criticism

SharePeter Okoye, one-half of the defunct Nigerian Afrobeats duo, P-Square, has accused his twin brother, Rudeboy of always joining popular...

Entertainment/Arts/Culture2 days ago

Singers BNXN, Asake Release First Collaborative Single ‘Eja Meja’

ShareNigerian music stars Daniel Benson, popularly known as BNXN and Ahmed Ololade, aka Asake, have released their first collaborative single...

NEWS2 days ago

Abuja Millennium Tower Costs N400b, Says Wike

ShareBy Laide Akinboade, Abuja The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Thursday explained that the cost of...

CRIME2 days ago

Court Sentences Two to Death for Kidnap, Murder of DELSU Student after Nine-Year Trial

ShareFrom Francis Sadhere, Delta A Delta State High Court sitting in Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, has sentenced two...

NEWS2 days ago

Obasanjo, Atiku’s Achievement Still Unbeaten, Says Lekan Ojo

ShareBy Mike Odiakose, Abuja A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Jackson Lekan Ojo, has declared that...

NEWS2 days ago

Otedola Raises Stake, Acquires  Additional N222bn  First HoldCo Shares

Share Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has increased his stake in First HoldCo Plc after acquiring an additional 1.77 billion shares...