By Philip Yatai

Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has promised to ensure timely completion of ongoing renovation of the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

Wike gave the assurance after he inspected the ongoing renovation of the two national monuments in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the leadership of the National Mosque and the Christian Worship Centre had visited Wike and appealed for the completion of renovation projects.

Wike, after assuring them of his full support, promised to visit the two centres to see things for himself before deciding on the next line of action.

The minister told journalists shortly after the inspection tour that the renovation at the National Mosque stopped due to additional work that ought to be done.

He expressed satisfaction with what was done so far and gave the approval for funds to be released to the contractor to enable him to complete the additional work.

On the National Christian Centre, Wike said he would look at the cost of the phase two renovation project and approve it if it is within what FCT can fund.

He said that if the cost exceeds FCT approval threshold, he would approach President Bola Tinubu for approval, assuring that Tinubu would not abandon such important national monuments.

“He is not anti any religion; he takes all religion as one, because we are one Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has adopted the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business Initiative, to strengthen Public-Private Partnerships in driving sustainable development in the agricultural sector.

Mr Lawan Geidam, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, stated this when the officials of the Agribusiness Innovation International Limited (AGRICON), visited him in Abuja on Thursday.

Geidam added that the secretariat was in talks with several private organisations as part of efforts to reposition the agricultural landscape of the territory.

He said the private sector had a crucial role in the quest for sustainable food and nutrition security in the capital city, Abuja.

“The FCT Administration has keyed the into the ease of doing business initiated by the Federal Government to galvanise private sector investment in the socio-economic development of the country.

“This is being achieved through the injection of funds and efficient ideas that will help to enhance the development of the nation and the capital city.

“The agricultural sector is expected to be a major beneficiary of this initiative,” Geidam said.

He assured investors that the agricultural sector would receive the needed attention under the visionary leadership of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.

This, he said, would help to unlock the abundant potentials of the sector, not only to investors but the teeming population of the FCT, particularly in the provision of sustainable means of livelihood.

The mandate secretary recognised the contributions of AGRICON, which he said was adding value to the agricultural sector in the FCT.

He expressed optimism that private sector investment would transform FCT to a centre for agricultural innovation.

Earlier, Mr Maurice Ebo, Chief Executive Officer, AGRICON, lauded the FCT Administration for the opportunity to contribute to the development of Abuja.

Ebo said that the visit was to update the Mandate Secretary on the activities of the oganisation and the impact on the famers.

He added that the visit was also to brief him on the upcoming 2024 AGRICON Fair and Expo, which would focus on oil palm production for the benefit of FCT famers.

He acknowledged the potential of public-private partnerships in driving progress in the agricultural sector and improving the livelihoods of FCT residents. (NAN)

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned against the use of the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture complex in Garki, Abuja, as a drinking joint by shop owners.

Mr Ibrahim Masari, the Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, gave the warning during an emergency meeting with business operators and shop owners at the secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.

Masari, thereafter, designated 7.30 p.m. as the daily closing hour for all business and shop owners operating within the complex due to security concerns.

He expressed dismay at the level of lawlessness that transpired within the secretariat when he paid an unscheduled visit to the complex around 7.10 p.m. on Oct. 29.

He explained that the visit was to affirm the veracity of the information at his disposal about the heinous acts that happens at the complex late hours of the night.

“To my dismay, I discovered more than 500 persons within the complex at such late hours, enjoying themselves with alcoholic drinks and smoking indiscriminately.

“I was not aware of what the event or activity was all about, as there was no official communication whatsoever to that effect.

“After waiting patiently till about 8.30 p.m. with no signs of them exiting soon, I invited some of the private security guards on duty who accompanied me to disperse the gathering.

“This is very disturbing.

“Management will no longer condone a situation whereby non-staff and tenants in the secretariat will stay back after official closing hours to as late as 9 p.m,” he said.

The mandate scribe said that the 7.30 p.m closing hour would take effect from Thursday, advising members of the public to take note to avoid embarrassment from security personnel.

He stressed that the civil service rule forbids the sale of alcohol or any other intoxicating substances within working premises.

He added that an internal mechanism has been activated to sanction business owners who encouraged such lawlessness and disregard to the extant rules.

“Business owners and members of the public who transact businesses in the complex after 7.30 p.m will have themselves to blame, if caught flouting this directive.

“Our private security guards have been duly advised accordingly,” he said.

He explained that the decision was imperative taking into consideration the security of lives as well as government properties. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Oladele Eniola

Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero has commended Air Peace Airline’s Tuesday’s maiden commercial flight to Jeddah.

The airline’s spokesman, Mr Stanley Olisa, stated in Ikeja on Wednesday that the emir commended Air Peace for expanding its Asian footprints with Tuesday’s flight.

Air Peace operated its maiden commercial flight from Kano to Jeddah on Tuesday on a B777s jet carrying 231 passengers.

The airline had in the past been operating chartered flights to Saudi Arabia on Hajj operations.

The emir noted that with the launch of the scheduled nonstop flights to Jeddah, Air Peace would further deepen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, boost economies of both countries and advance mutual development.

Ado-Bayero also commended the Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, Dr Allen Onyema for the impact he was creating in the country through the airline.

He thanked the Saudi Arabian authorities, travel partners and the Nigerian government for making the launch possible.

Reacting, Onyema described Air Peace’s entry into Jeddah as a milestone, stating that Jeddah was the airline’s sixth international destination in nine years of launch of commercial operations.

“This is huge, not just for Air Peace, but for Nigeria.

“We are undoubtedly exemplifying our ambition of connecting Nigeria to the world with world-class flight services.

“Air Peace is on a mission to easing the air travel burdens of Nigerians and plugging the connectivity gaps that had hitherto existed.

“We are happy to be serving as a means of solidifying socio-economic ties between Nigeria and other countries of the world,’’ Onyeama said.

He noted that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia had always cooperated smoothly with religious tourism being a key driver of the relationship.

He said that in line with its route expansion drive, Air Peace would launch flight operations into London soon.

Onyeama expressed gratitude to the emir of Kano who felicitated with the airline during its recent ninth anniversary, describing the emir as a bridge-builder.

He also applauded Ado-Bayero for his contributions to nation-building, adding that the nation needed more of such traditional rulers.

He said Air Peace was modernising and increasing its fleet as it already signed an order for five new E175 aircraft in addition to existing orders for 15 Boeing MAX aircraft. (NAN)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has introduced e-booking and e-ticketing of vehicles in the Federal Capital City, Abuja, to block revenue leakages.

Dr Abdulateef Bello, Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), FCTA, made this known during a training of operational staff of the directorate on e-booking and e-billing systems in Abuja on Wednesday.

Bello explained that the move was to curb revenue leakages, promote transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in the FCT traffic management system.

He said that the implementation of the e-ticketing system would begin in the city centre due to the heavy traffic before it would be extended to the suburbs in days to come.

The director explained that the system would allow offenders to appeal or protest unsatisfactory bookings to ensure justice and address discrepancies.

“This evolution will empower DRTS officers to serve the public better by delivering services that are not only seamless but efficient and transparent.

“The new paperless system exemplifies our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to serve our community with unparalleled efficiency and integrity.

“This will equally eliminate the challenges associated with manual systems. It will also help us to manage fines and ticketing systems while minimizing revenue leakages,” he said.

Bello said that with the e-platforms in place, the directorate would be able to have a comprehensive record of all transactions.

This, he said, would ensure that every money due to the government goes to the government and accounted for.

He added that the systems offer seamless payment options for offenders and would enhance their overall experience while interacting with the officials of the directorates.

“It provides easy access to penalty records from various endpoints, audit trail history and other related data analytics.

“This will ensure accountability and informed decision-making,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was attended by all operational staff from the 22 commands of the directorates. (NAN)

Edited by Polycarp Auta

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has warned against any attempt to tamper with the political structure in Rivers.

Wike gave the warning after a closed-door meeting with members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, led by its Chairman, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mohammed was accompanied by the Governors of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri, Mr Caleb Muftwang, of Plateau and Mr Agbu Kefas of Taraba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a crisis had erupted in Rivers on Monday, after an attempt by the Rivers Assembly to impeach the incumbent Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara.

Wike told the visiting governors that he would not be intimidated by any one for his influence in Rivers or his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as FCT minister.

He explained that the impeachment move was not a military coup, but in line with the provision of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He dismissed the rumours going round that the fracas was born out of his interest in the finances of the state, which he dismissed as “absolute rubbish.”

“No body can take away the political structure in Rivers; nobody can intimidate me. If I want to do something, I will do it.

“The impeachment is not a military coup; it is provided under the constitution. Also, I am not interested in all the rumours, money, this, and that. Rubbish. Absolute rubbish.

“I just left the office, how many months ago? And I am FCT Minister, so which money? But nobody can take away our political structure. No one.

“You cannot work, and people will begin to bring enemies; those who fought you when you were struggling for the person to be in office. Nobody does that.

“I am not a political ingrate, but don’t touch the political structure of the state. I will not shut my eyes,” Wike said.

The minister thanked the forum for the visit and further thanked President Tinubu for finding him worthy to serve in his cabinet, stressing that he was still a member of the PDP working for Tinubu and not APC.

“Forget about the Obidients and the Atikus who have lost and felt that I did not support them, and those that I revoked their Certificate of Occupancy.

“Oh! Wike did this; Wike did that because I didn’t support Obi, and didn’t support their own Presidential candidate, and all of you just teamed up ‘Wike! Wike! Wike!’.

“I am not disturbed; I will do what is right; and my conscience is clear. I am not the person you think that you will now go to social media and say all kinds of things.

“You must be careful, I have the capacity to fight back”, he warned.

Earlier, Mohammed thanked Wike for the willingness to resolve crises, noting that the forum had waded into the matter because of the importance of Rivers to the party.

He also commended the Tinubu for appointing one of their own to serve in his government, noting that Wike’s antecedents spoke volumes about his ability to lead. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Water Board says plans are underway to improve revenue generation and reposition itself for better service delivery.

The acting General Manager of the board, Mr Daniel Salka, stated this in Abuja on Friday, while presenting computer hardware, software, and other accessories to five Area Offices and three Units of the board.

Salka disclosed that the board currently generates N300 million monthly, representing 52 per cent of the board’s annual target.

He commended the members of staff for the unprecedented feat and urged them to do better through rededication, professionalism and efficiency in service delivery.

Salka further called on the staff to redouble their efforts with the goal to increase the revenue base of the board.

He explained that the computers and the accessories were provided in partnership with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Business Advisory Project.

According to him, the aim is to reduce non-revenue water, boost service delivery and enhance revenue generation.

He assured that all other area offices and units of the board would also get the computers in due course.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Area Manager of Jabi, Mr Yusuf Yelwa, commended Salka for the motivation and promised to use the computers for the purpose they were procured.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JICA partnered with the board to actualize it’s corporate status in line with the FCT Water Board Act, 2017.

JICA is assisting the board with capacity building, non-revenue reduction effort, development of legal framework, and Customer Service Charter

“The agency is also supporting the application of smart bill, cloud billing systems for ease of doing business,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani