By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has expressed joy that President Bola Tinubu’s promise to transform Abuja is turning out successful.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Saturday, after inspecting six ongoing projects across the territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project sites included the Southern Parkway, from Christian Centre to Ring Road I, being handled by Setraco and Vice President’s Resident being handled by Julius Berger.

Other projects visited were B6 and B12, Independence Avenue, also handled by Julius Berger, Wuye Engineering Infrastructure, being handled by Arab Contractors and N-20 Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Jahi District, being handled by Gilmor.

The minister also inspected the Outer Southern Expressway from Villa Roundabout to Ring Road I, being handled by CGC.

“So, for us we are happy with what we have seen, and we thanked God that the “Renewed Hope” agenda is working.

“Nigerians can see that the President has done well and the promise he has made to transform Abuja is turning out successful and there is no need to doubt,” he said.

The minister identified nonfulfillment of promises by politicians as a major problem, adding that such actions make the electorate lose confidence.

He, however, said that when politicians make promises and fulfill them, it gives people hope and makes them happy.

He commended Tinubu for the support, adding that the contractors have attested to the fact that funding was not a problem.

“We went to Southern Parkway being handled by Setraco and the contractor has reaffirmed that the project would be handed over to us in the first week of May.

“Then we went to VP’s Resident, being handled by Julius Berger and they said they have done not less than 90 per cent. That also, by the grace of God, will be handed over to us by May.

“We went to B6 and B12, Independence Avenue in Central Area, also being handled by Julius Berger, and they are quite confident that they are going to hand over the project in May,” he said.

The minister said the inspection tour took them to Wuye District Engineering Infrastructure, being handled by Arab Contractors, adding that they were 95 per cent ready and they made a commitment that it would soon be handed over.

“Then we went to N-20 Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway in Jahi District, which is being done by Gilmore. I can see the level of work and I believe that by the second week of May, God willing, they will also hand over the project.

“We are here now at Outer Southern Expressway, which is being done by CGC, and we have seen the level of work,” the minister said.

Wike said that the essence of going to project sites was to see whether the contractors were delivering the project according to design and according to contract terms.

He reiterated his promise that no project would be abandoned, adding that no project would be awarded without the money to fund it.

The minister disclosed that he would meet all the contractors on Tuesday to finalise the readiness to complete ongoing projects.

He added that he would continue the project inspection on Wednesday to see the level of preparation for handing over of the projects in May.

On why he decided to inspect the project during Easter break, the minister said: “Easter does not mean that you will not work; Easter does not mean that you will not eat.

“What Easter portrays is the unity for which Christ stands for all of us, and the need to preach for peace among we Nigerians,” he noted.  (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration has embarked on a journey of transformation in the capital territory.

Wike, who stated this in his Easter message to residents of FCT, in Abuja on Saturday, urged the residents to contribute to the realisation of the vision for better Nigeria.

He explained that the efforts to transform the FCT was driven by a renewed sense of hope and optimism, under the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“As residents of the FCT, let us keep faith with President Tinubu and his administration, and let us actively contribute to the realisation of his vision for a better Nigeria.

“On our part, the FCT Administration remains deeply committed to ensuring the welfare and well-being of all residents.

“We are working tirelessly to address the various challenges facing the Territory, from security to infrastructure development and education as well as healthcare provision.

“Many of our interventions, as many will attest to, are already yielding the desired results.

“However, I recognise that true progress can only be achieved through collective effort and collaboration,” he said.

He called on residents to join hands with the government in its quest for progress and development, towards building a brighter future for the current generation and the generation to come.

He also urged residents to remember the true essence of Easter celebration and embodied the spirit of sacrifice, compassion, and renewal in all that we do.

“In the story of Easter, we find the ultimate symbol of sacrifice in the selfless act of Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the redemption of humanity.

“Let us, therefore, reach out to those in need, to offer a helping hand to the less fortunate, and spread kindness and goodwill wherever we go.

“In the Federal Capital Territory, we are blessed with a diverse and vibrant community that embodies the spirit of unity in diversity.

“Regardless of our differences in culture, religion, or background, we are bound together by the shared values of tolerance and respect for each other.

“This Easter, let us therefore celebrate our diversity as a source of strength and let us reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and harmonious society for all,” Wike said.

The minister also called on residents to celebrate responsibly and obey all extant rules and regulations, especially on environmental sanitation and traffic while also being security conscious. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has assured 2024 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia of a hitch-free exercise.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, gave the assurance at a one-day seminar for officials and intending pilgrims, at the permanent Hajj camp, Bassan Jiwa, in Abuja on Saturday.

Mahmoud, who was represented by her Chief of Staff, Dr Abdullahi Isah, said that the administration was proactive in ensuring that all intending pilgrims complied with relevant policies to participate in the spiritual journey.

This, she said, was in spite of the challenges imposed by new policies introduced by Saudi Arabia and relevant authorities for the 2024 exercise.

To achieve this, the minister said that the administration introduced the seminar aimed at educating the officials and intending pilgrims about the possible challenges of the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

This, according to her, attest to the seriousness of the administration’s desire towards recording more successes in the exercise.

“It is the conviction of the current administration that the pilgrimage to the holy land is a journey of a lifetime which every Muslim with all the means is enjoined to partake.

“The present administration remained committed in doing everything possible to ensure that FCT contingent gets the best treatment compared to any other state of the federation or even the world in all ramifications,” she said.

Mahmoud said that the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board had begun implementation of strategies to actualise the success of this important religious obligation.

She identified some of the strategies as orientation and education of intending pilgrims, radio enlightenment programmes, and medical screening.

Others, according to the minister, are inoculations and other programmes organised to address possible obstacles that may hinder the success of the Hajj operation.

“I am, therefore, convinced that with the commitment of the entire officials, coupled with full-fledged conduct of our intending pilgrims both at home and in the holy land.

“This year’s Hajj operation, in spite of all possible challenges, would by the grace of Allah, be rated higher than the previous ones,” the minister said.

The Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Malam Abubakar Evuti, said that the board had conducted two phases of education and orientation exercises, adding that the radio enlightenment programme would commence after fasting.

Evuti added that the board registered low turnout of intending pilgrims for the 2024 exercise due to the high cost of hajj fares.

He, however, said that the board would continue with its line of activities in accordance with the efforts by the FCT administration.

This, he said, would ensure optimum service delivery, so that the intending pilgrims would attend Hajj Mabrur. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the deployment of the 10 pioneer Permanent Secretaries of the FCT Administration.

The FCT Head of Service, Dr Udo Atang, announced the deployment in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Atang said that Dr Adams Babagana was deployed to Health Services and Environment, while  Wanki Ibrahim was deployed to Treasury and Budget.

He also said that Asmau Muhktar was deployed to the Social Development Secretariat, while Dogo Bodinga was deployed to Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat.

The head of service added that Olusa Olusegun was deployed to the Area Councils Services, Adetoyi Kolawole to Women Affairs, while Grace Adayilo Agriculture and  Rural Development Secretariat.

Also deployed were Olubunmi Olowookere to Legal Services Secretariat; Ibe Chukwuemeka to Education Secretariat; and Okonkwo Nonubari to Transportation Secretariat.

“The posting takes immediate effect. Thus, the affected officers should handover to their immediate subordinates in their current Secretariats, Departments and Agencies,” Atang said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wike had on March 18, inaugurated the permanent secretaries in line with the provisions of the FCT Civil Service Commission Law, 2018, which commenced operation. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal