By Philip Yatai

Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has inaugurated Phase II of the rehabilitation and resurfacing of roads in FCT, towards making Abuja a befitting capital city.

Wike explained during the inauguration in Abuja on Thursday, that the Phase II would cover 49 roads in Asokoro and environs.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Wike had inaugurated Phase I in September, covering 135 roads in Garki, bringing the total number of roads being rehabilitated to 184 across the city.

The minister explained that the measure was part of a commitment to maintain and optimise public infrastructure in the FCT.

He assured residents that the project would be delivered within the scheduled period, adding that the funds for the projects were available.

“Today we are inaugurating the second phase of the road rehabilitation and resurfacing in FCT. In September, we flagged the resurfacing in Garki District and today we are flagging that of Asokoro District.

“President Bola Tinubu. Tinubu has given a matching order to me and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, to transform FCT to a befitting city.

“This is because of his commitment to improving the welfare and livelihood of residents of Abuja,” he said.

He added that similar projects would be inaugurated for roads in Wuse and Maitama Districts before the end of the year.

He assured the public that the roads would be completed before May 2024.

He commended the National Assembly for the speedy passage of the N61.6 billion supplementary budget to fund the implementation of projects.

“We must also commend President Tinubu-led administration for the foresight, because when we came, all contractors had abandoned sites and now we have turned Abuja to a construction site.

“He equally asked us to complete all on-going projects because the government is continuum.”

On her part, the FCT minister of state said that the development would reduce the rate of accidents, ensure safety, promote efficient transport networks and improve the economy of Abuja city.

Mahmoud commended Wike for taking a bold step towards transforming the FCT into a world class city.

Also, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Shehu Ahmad, said that the delivery of the Phase I projects had reached 60 per cent and above.

Ahmad said that the Phase II, which would be completed in five months, would affect movement of traffic in affected areas, adding that traffic and road users would be diverted to other adjourning routes.

The Permanent Secretary, FCT Administration, Mr Adesola Olusade, pointed out that the roads in FCT were constructed several years ago.

Adesola added that the rehabilitation and resurfacing became necessary because some of the roads have become weak due to extensive use and were manifesting various challenges.

He stressed that the projects would be executed within the time limit provided, adding that no contract variation would be entertained since the funds were on ground.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Philip Yatai

The six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), primary school teachers and pension scheme have shared N4.96 billion of statutory allocation for the month of October.

The amount was shared during the 182nd Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting, in Abuja on Monday.

FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, who presided over the meeting, commended members of the committee for their valuable contributions to the development of the FCT.

A breakdown of the amount shows that the six Area Councils got N2.53 billion while N2.43 billion went to other programmes and schemes in the FCTA.

Of the N2.53 billion, Abuja Municipal Area Council, received N517.55 million, Gwagwalada got N407.28 million, Kuje received N445.79 million, Bwari N390 million, Abaji N363.86 million while Kwali received N406.75 million.

Also, out of the N2.43 billion for programmes and schemes, N2.1 billion went to primary School teachers, N226.48 million earmarked as 15 per cent pension fund,

At total of N49.66 million was allocated as 1 per cent training fund, while N107.85 was allocated as 10 per cent employer pension contribution.

The minister appealed to the Department of Outdoors Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) to work in synergy with the six Area Councils to improve revenue generation in the territory.

She cautioned against friction among revenue generating departments, adding that collaboration would significantly improve FCTA’s Internally Generated Revenue. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Federal Government has restated its commitment to restore the lost glory of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Radio Nigeria, Kaduna.

The Minister of Information and National, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, stated this during his address to the staff of the two stations on Friday in Kaduna when he paid a working visit.

According to him, both institutions have fostered Nigeria’s unity, peaceful coexistence, religious harmony, democracy, civic consciousness, industry, and agriculture.

They have also boosted national awareness, social mobilisation, enlightenment, among several achievements in post-independent Nigeria.

“I am aware of the human and material challenges of the FRCN, Kaduna, and the NTA, especially poor working tools, outdated infrastructure, poorly motivated workforce, low competitive content, among others.

“My coming here today, in the company of the Directors General of the NTA and FRCN, is to genuinely seek a realistic approach to addressing some of these challenges, which is at the forefront of our priorities.

“We shall explore all the available options to ensure that we restore the lost glory of the NTA and FRCN.

“The case of the FRCN at national and state levels, is even more dire, particularly here at the Radio Nigeria, Kaduna, a once prestigious bastion of information that has produced innumerable broadcast icons.

“Indeed, Radio Nigeria Kaduna needs urgent resuscitation. We will surely act with urgency in this rescue mission.

“President Bola Tinubu carefully appointed all heads of parastatals in the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to help him succeed in this arduous task of rebuilding Nigeria,” he said.

He added that rebuilding the communication outfits and all other tasks would be achieved through Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is anchored on eight cardinal missions.

The missions include food security, poverty eradication, growth, job creation, access to capital, inclusion, rule of law and fighting corruption, he stated.

The minister said he is available to explore opportunities that would provide the necessary wherewithal to ensure that NTA and FRCN are equipped with modern technology and quality staff to maximise their potential.

We shall also make welfare a priority so that the workers shall put in their best, he said.

According to him, government will reward hardworking members of staff who toil day and night to inform, educate and entertain the public.

“The government is aware of your invaluable contribution to nation-building amidst great challenges.

“Together, we will not only address the current issues, but also build a foundation for a more robust and technologically advanced future for the NTA and FRCN,” Idris said.

Also speaking, the Director-General of FRCN, Dr Mohammed Bulama, said the visit by the minister is a sign of good things to come to the stations.

He said he was not surprised at the level of decay of facilities in FRCN.

“As a patriotic Nigerian, I know that something is fundamentally wrong with NTA, FRCN and others.

“The symbolism of this visit cannot be over-emphasised. God willing, all our stations and facilities will get the attention of the Ministry.”

Similarly, the Director-General of NTA, Malam Salihu Dembos, commended the minister’s insistence on coming over to see things for himself so as to work toward finding solutions to the issues.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that some workers of the two organisations later narrated their challenges which range from service interruptions, dearth of modern facilities, lack of training, poor welfare, and others. (NAN)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says the usage of obsolete equipment for broadcasting by FRCN and NTA is unacceptable.

“In this time and age of innovation, technology and digital transformation, using obsolete equipment for broadcasting is unacceptable,” he declared.

Idris spoke after an inspection tour of the transmitter stations of FRCN and NTA at Jaji and Kaita Road respectively, on Friday in Kaduna.

“I am in Kaduna to see for myself the facilities of FRCN and NTA Zonal Offices.

“It is important to note that the FRCN’s transmitter at Jaji was installed over 40 years ago. Some facilities have been there since 1962.

“We cannot go on with this obsolete technology.  Technology moves so fast now. So, relying on these pieces of old equipment to broadcast to Nigerians is no longer acceptable.

“So, I will go back to Mr President to tell him what I have seen so that we can invest massively into our public broadcast facilities.

“We want Nigerians to be enlightened on the workings of government; we want to foster unity among Nigerians.

“We want to also improve agricultural exchange, promote education and entertainment for our people. It is important that we take this kind of tour round the country to see facilities in other parts of the country.

“The newest equipment they have in Jaji were installed around 1980 and 1982. This is not acceptable. Technology is moving very fast, and we cannot stay behind. FRCN and NTA cannot stay behind.,” Idris stressed.

He said that there must be a deliberate effort to ensure that the outfits were in tandem with the best of technology around the world.

“I assure Nigerians that the new Ministry of Information and National Orientation has its focus on technology and innovation and, of course, we need to invest money here.

“There should also be the right attitude of those manning this equipment so that we can have the desired change,” Idris said. (NAN)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday emphasised the unwavering commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to enhance job security within the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the younger population.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President, in a statement said Shettima stated this while inaugurating the National Council on MSMEs.

The National Council on MSMEs is a high-level body established to provide strategic direction and oversight for the development of the MSMEs sector in Nigeria.

The council is chaired by the vice-president and comprises key stakeholders from government, industry, and the private sector.

The vice-president enjoined members of the council to utilise technology and their expertise to enhance the sector’s growth.

Shettima highlighted the critical role of MSMEs and younger Nigerians in driving job creation and economic stimulation.

“This council has a pivotal role to play in rekindling hope in the Nigerian project as President Tinubu is irrevocably committed to addressing the job security situation, especially within the MSMEs.”

While recognising the potential of technology, the vice-president also urged members to leverage its power to streamline processes and enhance service delivery.

The council’s mandate includes formulating policies to drive MSMEs development, fostering public-private partnerships, and promoting inter-agency collaboration.

Members of the newly inaugurated council includes the vice-president (Chairman); Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment (Vice Chairman) and two Governors from each of the six geo-political zones.

Others are the Ministers of Agriculture, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Communication and Digital Economy and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation and MSMEs, representative of the Private Sector; and the Director-General of SMEDAN (Secretary).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ministers, Director-Generals of relevant agencies, and representatives of MSMEs and industry associations. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Philip Yatai

The officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with security agencies, on Thursday, uncovered an alleged illegal oil refining warehouse in Mabushi, Abuja.

The warehouse, located opposite Mobile Filling Station along Ahmadu Bello Way, Mabushi, was thereafter, demolished by the Department of Development Control, FCTA.

The Director of the department, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, said that the refining warehouse was discovered during the ongoing city cleaning exercise.

Galadima said the warehouse, covering about three to four plots of land designated for commercial purposes had been converted to illegal operations where oil like diesel and other petroleum products were being adulterated.

He said the city sanitation task force would look into the provision of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCT Administration for further actions on the plots used for the illegal activities.

The director, who explained that no arrest was made, however, said some of the items being used in carrying out the illegal activity have been impounded.

“We have done the needful by moving the items to Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“From what we have seen so far, about three or four plots of lands designated for commercial purposes have been converted to unapproved activities.

“We believe that the owners are fully aware, and as such, there will be consequences.

“We are going to look at the provision of the law and make necessary recommendations to the FCT Administration,” he said.

He said the administration would be tough on any contravention of land use without approval. (NAN)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali