By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has thanked President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to be part of his administration’s quest to renew the hope of Nigerians.

Wike poured out his gratitude after inspecting ongoing rural roads projects in Bwari and Abuja Municipal Area Councils, in Abuja on Thursday.

The minister also commended Tinubu for what he described as ‘tremendous support’ to the FCT Administration to provide critical infrastructure and quality services to residents of the FCT.

The projects inspected included the 7.2-kilometre road linking Gaba and Tokulo communities in Bwari Area Council and the five-kilometre access road linking Saburi 1 and 2 in Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The roads are part of the 42.2-kilometre rural roads being constructed across the six area councils of the FCT.

Wike explained that the Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda was not meant for only the people in the cities but was designed to also ensure that those in rural communities feel the impact of his administration.

“I am very glad to say that the renewed hope agenda is working, particularly as it concerns the area councils.

“The renewed hope Agenda is not only for the cities; it is also to make sure that those in the rural areas feel part of the administration.

“We have been to Bwari and we attest to the fact that, that is a very difficult terrain. No wonder people talk of insecurity.

“But with the construction of that road, you can say that there is hope.

“I feel so happy that I am part of this administration and that people can see changes.

“Again, we are here in Saburi, and you can see the work going on. When we came to inaugurate the road, you could see the enthusiasm among the people,” he said.

The minister added, “I am proud that the contractors are doing very well and by the grace of God all the six projects in the six area councils would be completed before the end of the year.

“That will not stop us from commencing the 2024 infrastructure development in the area councils as we promised.”

He explained that the road projects were being funded from the 2023 emergency supplementary budget.

He added that the N1.28 trillion FCT 2024 statutory budget, when assented by Tinubu would also be used to construct additional roads in the six area councils.

Wike, who expressed optimism that the 2024 budget was realistic, added that 58 per cent of the capital budget would be expended on ongoing projects.

He also said that the remaining 42 per cent was earmarked for critical new projects, which would commence after the assent of Mr president.

“We are happy that everything we have started will be completed soon.

“This attest to the fact that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope” agenda is not just in theory; it’s practical – ‘seeing is believing’, the minister said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work of the ongoing road constructions in Kuje Area Council of the territory.

Wike stated this after he inspected the road projects in Abuja on Wednesday.

The roads include the six-lane dual carriageway from Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction and the five-kilometre dual carriageway from Garage Junction to LEA Secretariat, in Kuje.

The minister explained that the five-kilometre dual carriage way from Garage Junction to LEA Secretariat was nominated by the council’s chairman and stakeholders in the area.

He said that the contractor has done earth work covering 2.5km, adding that what would follow was the drainage.

“The contractor has agreed that the road will be completed before the end of the year. We are very impressed.

“The one from the Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction is a six-lane dual carriageway, being handled by Arab Contractors.

“As you can see, the work is going on very well and we are quite satisfied with the quality of work so far.

“The contractor has promised to complete all the earth work before the end of the year. This is a very interesting news to us, indicating that we will reach our target by end of the year,” Wike said.

Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the road, linking the Airport Expressway to Kuje township would cover 11km.

Ahmad explained that between the airport expressway to Kuje junction, the road would cross over two rivers and also cross over the Outer Southern Expressway that would link the city centre with Gwagwalada Expressway.

He added that the Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction would cover nine kilometres, while the remaining two kilometres would extend backward towards Kyami District.

He explained that one of the major constraints affecting the delivery of the road was the presence of five towers belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) along the road corridor.

The FCDA boss added that TCN have been contacted and have agreed to relocate the towers, stressing that until the obstructions were removed, work could not take place in the affected areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five-kilometre dual carriageway was among the six rural roads of 42.2km being constructed across the six Area Councils of the FCT by the current administration. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Angela Atabo

Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, the Special Adviser on Media to Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River, says the government is putting measures in place to make the state a tourist destination.

Ogbeche said this at an event organised by his friends and media practitioners tagged: “Celebrating Our Star Boy’’ to celebrate his appointment in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before his appointment, Ogbeche was the immediate past chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The special adviser said that although, the first few months in office were challenging but today, the state was fast becoming the safest in Nigeria.

“There are no kidnappings for the past seven months. Robbery and other criminal activities are on the downward trend because Gov. Otu  is committed to building a state that is the tourism destination in Nigeria.

“We have been building the Obudu cattle ranch. The airport at Bebi is soon to be completed and quite a number of other incentives that are happening.

“Besides, we are the first state to pay salary or wage award to workers before the Federal Government imbibed that idea, so crossover is working, it is our commitment to build a viral  and sustainable economy,’’ he said

Ogbeche said that Otu met a civil service that was corrupt, adding that he undertook verification and audit of staff .

The special adviser said the report was mind boggling as it revealed situations where one worker in the state had four different accounts in four different ministries.

He said that the report also revealed cases where one individual was receiving salaries for 10 persons to five persons.

He, however, said that the government was able to weed out quite a significant number of the corruption including that of pensions.

Ogbeche said that the government also undertook the ease of doing business to attract investors among others.

He commended his friends and colleagues for the initiative to celebrate him, adding that he was just wholly committed to journalism not knowing that it would pay off and translate into appointments.

“I was the Chief Press Secretary but later deployed as special adviser on Media for good reasons, the Governor of Cross Rivers is committed to rebuilding a state of our dreams.

“So, I just want to thank every one of you and to assure you that I am here to work with you to support our little interventions.

The Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Ms Lydia Samson, said the event was aimed at celebrating Ogbeche and his legacy as a true comrade.

She said that Ogbeche led by example as the chairman of NUJ, FCT Chapter and carried everybody along so members needed to imbibe that model and always let love lead.

“It is not a coincidence that Ramadan and the Lent season are going on simultaneously.

“What God is telling us as a people who believe in different religion is that it is time to forgive, to build bridges and to move forward.’’

She described Ogbeche as a man of peace with a heart of gold reaching out to everyone in brotherhood and love.

The President of NUJ, Mr Chris Isiguzo, said it was an interesting time for the union because in the last couple of months, a good number of journalists had been appointed to different positions of service.

“This speaks volumes to the place of journalism in the Nigerian polity; it simply means as a union, we are not doing badly.

“One man stands out in this, because within a few months, having been appointed as the chief press secretary to the governor of Cross River state; he has been promoted to a cabinet position.’’

He encouraged journalists to keep abreast with global best practices and imbue the habit of carrying out solution and development journalism and cease from magnifying the challenges and failures.

“Let us begin to advance solutions, fresh strategies on how to address our problems. That way, we will be building a more formidable structure that will be the envy of all,’’ he said

Dr Jummai Ahmadu, the President Helpline Social Support Initiative who described Ogbeche as the gender chairman, thanked him for championing the course of women.

She called on citizens to keep praying for the nation, adding that nobody can save Nigeria but Nigerians so citizens should be more patriotic and bless the nation not curse it.

“Let us see how we can contribute by reporting accurately so that the government will know that the  fourth estate of the realm who are the most important people that can make this country function well are doing their best to ensure that Nigeria takes back her glory.’’

Mr Yusuf Alli, the Regional Editor, Nation Newspaper, commended Ogbeche for the feats attained, adding that he deserved to be celebrated.

“Being called a Star Boy is not by age but by what you represent. You are a blend of the old, the new, the young and the future.

“You are a symbol of humility and a servant leader who made a difference in NUJ as chairman, that record spoke volume that is the root of these appointments.’’

Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, NUJ Chairman, FCT, chapter, described Ogbeche as a son of grace, very accommodating and a unifier.

“I just cannot help but to recognise the fact that there is a special kind of grace that works in his life and it is foolish to fight it.

“We are here today to identify with his qualities; friendly, endearing, strength and loving, they are good qualities.’’ (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

By Angela Atabo

The Federal Housing Authority (FHA), has solicited a partnership with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, to provide personnel with quality and affordable houses.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of FHA, Oyetunde Ojo, said this when he visited Gen. Musa in his office in Abuja on Friday.

Ojo said that the collaboration between FHA and the military would afford them proper and adequate housing.

He condoled with the army over the sad incident in Delta that took the lives of some soldiers and thanked the armed forces for the crucial role they play in defending the nation.

“The main purpose of the visit is to work for the provision of quality and affordable houses for the personnel of the Armed Forces in view of the crucial role and sacrifices they make.

“We deem it fit that with what your men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces are doing in this country, you deserve more than just having shelter, you deserve affordable and qualitative shelter,’’ he said

Ojo said that the morale of the personnel would be boosted once they know that their families are well protected in case of injuries, casualties or retirement by having roofs over their heads.

He said FHA decided that the army would be the off takers of this administration’s housing because of the critical role they play.

Ojo said that FHA has various house types and delivery models adopted to satisfy all Cadres and strata of Nigerians.

He noted that models such as the carcass of the one bedroom and studio formats would be targeted at junior and younger officers, while the senior officers could go for the finished ones.

Responding, Gen Musa acknowledged the importance of Housing for men of the Armed Forces because of the mobile nature of their jobs and at retirement.

Musa appreciated FHA for the gesture and asked that emphasis should be placed on quality in the case of Mass Housing.

He also expressed interest in the building of comprehensive estates that would have facilities as hospitals and recreational areas where personnel could train and dissipate energy.

“The military engineers will have to liaise with FHA in materialising this laudable initiative.’’(NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vincent Obi

By Angela Atabo

The Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAEng), has urged the Federal Government to offer incentives to oil and gas producers to increase their production levels.

According to NAEng, the measure, if rigorously pursued, will guarantee added production which can translate to more forex earnings with attendant positive impacts on the nation’s economy.

The NAEng President Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu, made the call at news conference, organised by the NAEng on Friday in Abuja.

“In connection to offering the economic incentives to producers, NAEng also recommends that steps be taken to conclude the approval or otherwise of the acquisition of assets,

“These are assets of existing International Oil Companies (IOCs) by indigenous entities who have negotiated with them.

“Further delay may discourage investment by the new owners and by others who may be interested in bringing in capital’’, he said.

Onwualu said that with respect to the downstream sector,

With respect to the downstream sector, the Academy recommended that government should consider divesting at least 51 per cent of its equity in the refineries, oil marketing and distribution facilities.

He said this would provide capital from the private sector for the upgrade of the refineries and also introduce independent governance for efficient operation.

He added that it would also lead to more sustainable high capacity utilisation of the refineries for the good of the nation.

The President said this would further result in foreign exchange savings as reliably operating refineries would provide products for local consumption as well as for export.

“We commend the directives recently given by President Bola Tinubu on Oil and Gas companies tax incentives, exemption, remission order 2024, Reduction of petroleum sector contracting costs and timelines,2024 and Local content compliance requirement.

“They likely to attract interest from both foreign and local investors which will ultimately have a significant impact on the growth of the oil and gas industry and result in major foreign exchange earnings increase for Nigeria.

“When properly and fully implemented, these directives should have a positive impact in the short to medium time frame.

“They are also expected to restore the vibrancy in our oil and gas industry, leading to increased activity levels in the industry’’, he said.

Onwualu further suggested that the government should consider directives on rapid improvement of the gas reserve base so that more of the often-quoted gas volumes would be certified and become bankable.

He said that concerted efforts should also be directed at the exploration for more gas deposits and the appraisal of existing finds.

He said the suggestion was based on the view that gas rather than oil was the internationally preferred source of energy.

The President said that increased activities in the natural gas sub-sector would undoubtedly also fast track the growth of the midstream segment of the petroleum industry and result in high gas utilisation and commercialisation.

“The NAEng believes that the fastest way to achieve economic development of Nigeria is to consciously develop and apply engineering and technological innovations.

“This is towards providing sustainable solutions to problems in different sectors of the economy in a systematic and coordinated manner.

“ The NAEng remains committed to assisting the Nigerian Government to achieve rapid national growth by tackling problems that are amenable to engineering solutions,’’ Onwualu said. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne