By Philip Yatai

Mr Nyeson Wike, Minister of the Federal  Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja,  says his administration is ready  to partner with the State of Qatar, to develop the tourism sector and improve security in the nation’s capital.

Wike made the offer when the Qatar Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Ali Al-Hajri, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Monday.

The minister noted that Qatar has a lot of influence in the international community due to its economic potential and level of development.

He said that FCT was open to cooperation on tourism and security that would be mutually beneficial to both countries.

According to him, tourism and security are top priorities in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“I will be happy if we can have a relationship, particularly as it relates to tourism. We have a lot of potential here that we can explore in terms of tourism with Qatar. So, it will be in our interest if you can explore this.

“We are willing to give out land for the building of a tourist center. We are willing to see how we can partner with people outside Nigeria to fully complete the Millennium Tower and Cultural Centre, which are the main tourist centers in Abuja.”

Wike said the FCT recorded appreciable achievements in terms of security and the provision of infrastructure due to  President Tinubu’s efforts to change the narratives in the country.

He also pledged the commitment of the FCT administration to continue to provide support to all foreign missions in the nation’s capital.

“You will agree with us that in the past few years, it wasn’t that good but things are moving on.

“We are ready to cooperate with you in terms of security. It’s very key. Yes, there was a time when it did appear that we had some security issues. But as it is today, there is a lot of difference.

“Security is one of the eight-point priorities of the President’s renewed hope agenda. So, we can assure you that we will make it very convenient for all our friends who reside and carry out business in Abuja,” the minister said.

Responding, the Ambassador noted that Abuja was one of the biggest capital cities in Africa with investment potentials.

Al-Hajri said Qatar was ready to increase bilateral relations with Nigeria, adding that opportunities existed for investments in the tourism, education, and health sectors in the FCT. (NAN)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

By Philip Yatai

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has sought for technical and infrastructural support from MTN Nigeria Communications Plc to strengthen emergency response and management in the federal capital.

The acting Director-General of the agency, Mr Mohammed Sabo, made the appeal when he led the management team of FEMA on a courtesy visit to the MTN corporate office in Abuja on Wednesday.

Sabo explained that FEMA needed the support of the telecommunication company to disseminate information on preparedness and safety awareness through Short Message Service (SMS) alerts.

He added that the agency haf volunteers, vanguards, local divers, and disaster marshals in remote communities that needed to be trained.

Sabo said that FEMA officials equally needed training on the use of technology in disaster management.

The acting DG further appealed to the company to sponsor FEMA’s town hall meetings on emergency management.

Sabo equally requested the development of mobile applications for emergency management and the issuance of Closed User Groups lines to the Agency.

This, according to him, will ease communication among FEMA officials and community structures in emergency management.

Responding, the Head of Sales and Trade Development, MTN, Mr Ohwofasa Obazenu pledged the commitment of MTN to partner with FEMA.

Obazenu said that the focus of the company in 2024 was on Sustainable Development Goals, noting that FEMA’s request falls within the scope.

“We will partner with you. We will look at our budget and our focus for the year,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philip Yatai

The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has threatened to blacklist Setraco Nigeria Ltd. if it failed to deliver the Southern Parkway Road project before May 29.

Wike gave the warning in Abuja on Wednesday, after inspecting some road projects in the territory.

The southern parkway road project connects Ecumenical Centre, through Federal Capital Development Authority office complex/NTA and Nnamdi Azikiwe Way in the city centre.

When the minister queried the contractor on installation of streetlights, the Managing Director, Mr Ziad Mouannes, said they would have to meet with the minister to discuss issues of variation.

Wike, who could not hide his disappointment, said he would not be a party to any variation, stressing that he had paid the company about 97 per cent of the contract sum.

“We agreed on the funding pattern, and I can authoritatively tell you that we have not failed.

“When I asked them about the streetlights, he (the company’s Managing Director) talked about variation. From the records that I have, we have paid 97 per cent.

“You know I will never accept that, because we have funded the project very well without any failure on our part. I have told them categorically that there cannot be any variation on that project.

“If they don’t complete it on time, I am going to blacklist the company, that is the truth of the matter. Nobody will toy with us; nobody will try to outsmart us; we are not going to accept it,” the minister said.

He further emphasised that the issue of variation was not on the negotiation table.

Speaking generally on the road projects inspected, the minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of work so far.

“We saw what Setraco is doing, it is quite comprehensive, and that will change the landscape of the area, and I am happy with the quality of job.

“Then we went to Guzape where Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Ltd is constructing the road network, and we are happy that the company reiterated its commitment to deliver the project by May 20.

“At Arterial Road N20, also by Gilmor, from Northern Parkway (N8) Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Way to the Outer Northern Express Way, you can also see the quality of work they are doing.

“I strongly believe that we will meet the time, and I am happy with the quality of Job,” he said.

Responding to the Ministers concern on variation, Mouannes insisted that the company should be given the opportunity to have a meeting with the officials of the FCTA to discuss and settle the matter.

He assured the commitment of the Setraco to the execution of the project within agreed specifications. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philip Yatai

The City Management Team of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday, began demolition of shanties built under bridges by illegal squatters.

The team, supported by security personnel, also sent the squatters packing as part of efforts to strengthen security measures to secure the lives and properties of residence.

Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director Development Control, who led the team in Abuja, said that the exercise was a fallout of the sensitisation of the squatters who were asked to vacate the areas or be forcefully removed.

Galadima, who was represented by Mr Hassan Ogbole, Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, Development Control, FCTA, explained that the exercise was in response to the FCT Minister’s directives that the areas should be cleaned up.

According to him, the directive stemmed from the security concerns around and under bridges in the FCT.

“We went out in January to enlighten the illegal squatters, who are taking refuge in the area on the security threats their habitation poses to residents in the area and asked them to vacate the areas.

“We are here as a follow up to that task of cleaning up the shanties and other nuisance within and around subways and under bridges in the capital city.”

He said that the exercise, which began with the cleanup of the bridge by Abia House, along Ahmadu Bello Way, would cover 10 more bridges across the city.

To ensure that the squatters do not return to the area, the director said that the City Management Team had discussed with relevant stakeholders and departments how to make the best use of the space.

The director said that the stakeholders had recommended that the operator of the park in the area should take over the management of the under bridge.

“Gone are the days where spaces are recovered, and they are not being put to good use.

“Therefore, we have proposed, subject to the approval of the FCT Minister, to hand over the spaces under the bridges to park managers to manage them and put them to good use,” he said.

Galadima expressed concern that some of the pillars of the bridges have been exposed to erosion and other engineering challenges due to the activities of the squatters and other scavengers.

He disclosed that a provision was made for scavengers and “panteka” in Wasa layout, adding that the FCT Administration would organise and profile them and possibly relocate them to the area.

“We certainly don’t want them scattered all over the place,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary, Command and Control, Department of Security Service, FCTA, said that clearing the bridges of miscreants would ensure the safety of lives and property of residents.

Olumuji said that the public have been complaining about the unwholesome activities of criminal elements taking place under the bridges.

He explained that most of the time, when they rub their victims, they run down under the bridge to take refuge.

“We will make under the bridges in FCT very hot for all the criminals.

“As we cleared all the bridges, the Police Division in the affected locations would secure the place pending the taking over of the space by the assigned park manager,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab