By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has issued a one-week notice to squatters taking refuge under bridges in Garki, Wuse and Maitama districts in Abuja, to vacate or be forcefully removed.

Dr Fred Kpakol, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Environmental and Waste Management, gave the notice on Tuesday while sensitising the illegal squatters on government decision to clear the areas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation was led by the officials of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB).

Kpakol explained that some of the areas taken over by the squatters were supposed to be green areas but turned into slums.

He said apart from carrying out nefarious activities in the city, the squatters were also in the habit of burning firewood in the night to light up the areas, cook and other practices that affect the lifespan of the bridges.

The official warned that after the expiration of the one-week notice, every tent under the bridges would be demolished.

“You are aware of the prevailing kidnappings and other atrocities people commit from different places and run to take refuge under the bridges. This is unacceptable.

“This is because the security of the city is very important. As such, anybody that comes here to stay must have to leave.

“We have given them one week, within which we will come and evacuate them from these places,” he said.

Also, Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement, AEPB, Mr Kaka Bello, identified some of the affected bridges as the bridge close to Transcorp Hilton on Ademola Adetokumbo way, and the Park Way Bridge close to Wuse market.

Others, Bello said, include the bridge along Ahmadu Bello Way close to Diamond Bank Junction and the bridge along Muhammadu Buhari Way.

One of the squatters, Iya Gizo, a widow from Nasarawa State, said that she was living under the bridge because she had nowhere to go.

She appealed to the government to provide an alternative area for them to relocate to.

Also, Mr Emmanuel Abraham, an artisan operating under the bridge near City Park in Wuse II, appealed for government support to enable him find a suitable place to carry out his business. (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Philip Yatai

The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has told elite in the FCT not to expect good roads and other infrastructure without paying tax due to the FCT Administration.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, while inaugurating the resurfacing of 189 roads and remedial work on bridges in Maitama, Garki and Utako districts.

He complained that the elite in FCT were not meeting their tax obligations to the government, a development he described as disturbing.

He disclosed that the elite rose against him when he began implementing laws and initiatives to improve internally generated revenue in the FCT.

“Here (Maitama) is a big man’s place and when we tell them to pay tax, they will begin to complain.

“They are happy that the roads are being resurfaced, but where will the money come from if not tax.

“When we began taking steps to see how we could get more revenue for the FCT, there was nothing they did not do to fight me, but I am not worried; I will not shake; I will do what is right.

“You don’t expect to have a good road without paying tax,” he said.

He asked the Chairman House Committee on FCT, Mr Aliyu Betara, who resides in Maitama to tell his colleagues to pay their tax.

“I will use you my friend as a point of contact, tell them to pay their tax so that we can pay the contractors on time and then we have good motorable roads,” the minister said.

Earlier, the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Sen. Ibrahim Bomayi, commended Wike for improving the revenue base of FCT.

According to him, the resurfacing of the roads would not have been possible, if not for the ingenuity of Wike in improving internally generated revenue in the federal capital. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Philip Yatai

Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, inaugurated the resurfacing of 189 roads and remedial work on bridges in Maitama, Garki and Utako districts on Tuesday in Abuja.

The roads cover 57 kilometres across the three districts; all in Abuja Municipal Area Council.

The minister said the measure was part of a commitment to maintain and optimise public infrastructure in the federal capital territory.

He said that the project was also part of efforts to renew the hope of residents in good governance in line with the “Renewed Hope’’ agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike called on Nigerians to believe in President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope’’ agenda, stressing that the policies and programmes therein were not intended to make the people to suffer.

He urged residents to be patient as the roads’ resurfacing would cause them some inconvenience.

“You cannot talk about development without making sacrifices. There must be inconvenience. After the inconveniences you will benefit,’’ he said.

The minister commended the National Assembly and FCT area council chairmen for their support to deliver the dividends of democracy to FCT residents.

Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said the project would be delivered by May.

In his remarks, Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, noted that roads in Maitama were weak because of long usage, adding that the resurfacing was timely.

Maikalangu called on the minister to address the problem of water shortage in Maitama District which had compelled residents to drill boreholes.

He pledged the support of the area council in the on-going efforts to transform the federal capital territory.

Also speaking at the inauguration, a traditional leader, Sapayi of Garki, Alhaji Usman Nga Kupi, commended the minister for the efforts to transform the FCT landscape and the improvement of security in the territory.

He pledged the support of the traditional council, and appealed to the minister to ensure the completion of the Karshi-Apo Road to address the traffic gridlock experienced there.

In 2023, the minister inaugurated similar projects covering 184 kilometres in Garki, Wuse and Asokoro Districts.

This brings the total number of roads being resurfaced and rehabilitated in Abuja to 373. (NAN)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on Monday, took its dry season sensitisation campaign to the streets of Abaji, the headquarters of Abaji Area Council of the FCT.

Mrs Florence Wenegieme, Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FEMA, who led the campaign, said that the goal was to ensure zero loss of lives and properties to dry season related disasters.

Wenegieme explained that the sensitisation campaign, which would cover the six area councils of the territory, was to avert common disasters throughout the dry season.

The director, who took the team around the streets of Abaji, explained that the measure was to ensure that people were aware of human induced dry season disasters and how to prevent them.

She advised residents against behaviours and practices that could cause fire disasters and other forms of disasters, particularly bush burning and the sales of petroleum and products in undesignated places.

She also identified other dangerous behaviours as scooping of petroleum products during accidents involving petroleum tankers and storage of petroleum products in homes or car trunks.

Other disaster-induced practices, she said, included the sales of petroleum products under high tension electric wires, and not switching off electrical appliances when leaving the house.

The director urged community members to be their brothers’ keeper during emergencies, by reaching out to the aged, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

Earlier, the acting Director-General of the agency, Mr Mohammed Sabo, stressed the need for an active Local Emergency Committee (LEC) to improve disaster management at the grassroots levels.

Sabo explained that LEC was a critical component of disaster management that ensures prompt response in cases of emergency.

He added that the committee is expected to operate at the Area Council’s level to meet the emergency needs of people in communities.

“The LEC is the coordinating body for emergency management in the area councils and should have the capacity to respond to disasters promptly.

“I also enjoin community members to strictly adhere to the warnings on fire disasters, which are predominant during the dry season,” he said.

On his part, the Council Secretary, Mr Agaba Agumuguo, assured the FEMA boss that the LEC would be set up, trained, and inaugurated to begin operation.

Agumuguo, who spoke on behalf of the Council Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Abubakar, noted that having the committee in place and functional is critical to safeguarding the lives and properties of the people of Abaji. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, has promised to complete all abandoned projects across the six Area Councils of the territory.

Wke gave the assurance in Kuje on Monday, while inaugurating the construction of a five-kilometre dual carriageway in Kuje, Kuje Area Council of the federal capital.

“Any project that was awarded before now, and abandoned, we have to go back to those projects, because government is continuum.

“It is public money, so we cannot allow government money to be wasted simply because we were not the ones that awarded it, no.

“We will continue with those projects since it will have a positive impact on the lives of our people. That is what is important to us, and we are going to do it,” he said.

He explained that the five-kilometre road project was nominated by the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Sabo.

He said that the project was part of efforts of the current administration to take development to rural communities, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

He said that transforming the rural economies through the provision of road infrastructure has nothing to do with political party, but simply about good governance.

“This has nothing to do with a party; this is about governance; this is about touching every rural area, and every area council.

“Whether All Progressive Congress is in charge of this area council, or Peoples Democratic Party is in charge, or no party is in charge, we are going to touch every area council.

“That is the directive of President Tinubu,” the minister said.

Wike disclosed that in the next one or two weeks, the FCT Administration would begin a total renovation of not less than 25 schools and complete abandoned hospital projects.

He said: “We are not just talking about only roads, we are also talking about schools, we are also going to come to hospitals that have been abandoned.

“Take for example, the Utako General Hospital that has not been completed; the General Hospital Gwagwalada. We are going to put them in order for the use of our people.”

Earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud said that while urban development often takes the spotlight, it is imperative not to overlook the needs of rural communities.

“I have no doubt that rural road infrastructure forms the backbone of rural economies and contributes significantly to the overall development of a nation.

“Improved road networks that connect rural producers to markets, enabling them to sell their goods at fair prices and access essential services more easily.

“This enhances productivity, creates employment opportunities, and stimulates local economies,” Mahmoud said.

The Chairman of the council, Sabo, described the event as the first of its kind since the return of democracy in 1999.

The chairman said that the dualisation of the road would solve the challenges of perennial flood and overflow of drainages along the road during the rainy season.

He pledged the council’s continued support to complement Wike’s efforts to bring development to the people.

The traditional leader of the area, the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, commended the minister for the commitment to renew the hope of residents.

Jibrin said that the road, when completed, would improve the movement of people in the area and enhance economic growth and development.

He further announced the conferment of the traditional title of the “Jikan Dan Majidadin” (A symbol of Goodwill) Kuje, making the third traditional title conferred on the minister.

He was conferred with the traditional title of “Sarkin Yaki” (Warlord) of Paikon Kore by the Aguma of Gwagwalada, Chief Mohammad Magaji and the “Barde of Bwari” (Warrior of Bwari) by the Esu Bwari, Mr Ibrahim Yaro.

Dr Olusegun Olusa, Oversite Director, Satellite Towns Development Department, FCTA, explained that the project, awarded to Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Ltd, was a dual carriageway from Tipper Junction to LEA Secretariat, Kuje.

A developer, Mr Patrick Ojo, who spoke on the sideline of the event, said that the project would impact tremendously on the people of Kuje.

Ojo said that the journey from Kuje to Gwagwalada, through the road should be less than seven minutes’ drive but taking longer due to traffic congestion on the road.

“So, the project, when completed, will decongest this road and will by effect, also allow free flow of traffic,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that minister had on Feb. 1, inaugurated an emergency construction and rehabilitation of nine-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road, in Gwagwalada Area Council.

The minister had also inaugurated the construction of 7.2-kilometre road, linking Gaba and Tokulo communities in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, as part of efforts to transform rural economies. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says providing infrastructure in rural communities for sustainable growth and development is key in the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Friday, while inaugurating the construction of 7.2-kilometre road, linking Gaba and Tokulo communities in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

According to Wike, President Tinubu’s administration will touch all rural areas across the country with basic amenities and infrastructure  to transform rural economies.

Specifically, he said that in the FCT, each of the six area councils would get three rural roads by the end of the year, which, according to him, had never happened since the creation of FCT.

He noted that part of the drivers of insecurity in the territory was the absence of basic infrastructure in rural communities.

Wike said: “When you do not have access to roads, it makes it difficult for even security agencies to carry out their jobs very well.

“It is important to note that, while we are fighting insecurity, we must also provide basic infrastructure.

“All rural areas are agriculture-based, so, if you do not provide access roads, how will they bring the produce to the market?”.

The minister noted that his administration is changing the narrative of project delivery in the FCT, adding that no project would be awarded without the funds to execute it.

He warned civil servants against unnecessary bureaucracy that would delay the timely delivery of the project.

“I will not tolerate civil service bureaucracy  to hinder service delivery in the FCT. Anybody who sabotages my efforts will also be sabotaged,” he said.

Wike directed the contractor, Setraco Nigeria Ltd to employ the youths – males and females in the community as part of workforce to execute the project.

He also urged the benefiting communities to take ownership of the project.

The minister pledged that all abandoned projects in the area would be resuscitated and completed.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that the rural road construction project was part of the Tinubu’s administration commitment to reduce infrastructural deficit in FCT.

“The 7.2 km Gaba to Tokula road may seem like a modest undertaking, but its impact will be far reaching. It will enhance connectivity and reduce the challenges of insecurity,” she said.

Earlier, Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Mr John Gabaya, said that the project when completed would touch the socio-economic fabric of the area.

Gabaya said that the road was first graded during Ibrahim Babangida military-led government, connecting about five communities.

He appealed to the minister to complete some other abandoned road projects in the area.

The traditional ruler of the area, Esu Bwari, Mr Ibrahim Yaro, thanked the minister for the gesture.

Yaro described Bwari as the food basket of the FCT and announced the donation of two cows and tubers of yam to Wike and the FCT minister of state.

The Esu also announced the conferment of a traditional title, “Barde of Bwari” (Warrior of Bwari) on Wike in appreciation of his rural development projects

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the minister on Thursday inaugurated an emergency construction and rehabilitation of nine-kilometre Paikon Kore – Ibwa Road, in Gwagwalada Area Council.

The community equally conferred the traditional title of “Sarkin Yaki, (Warlord), Paikon Kore on Wike. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi