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Category: FCT Update

  • Buhari Not Linked to FCT Land Revocation  – Garba Shehu

    Buhari Not Linked to FCT Land Revocation  – Garba Shehu

    Spokesperson, Garba Shehu has denied recent reports linking some of the lands seized by the Ministry of the Federal Capital Management to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He clarified that the affected property does not belong to former President Muhammadu Buhari but assigned to the “Muhammadu Buhari Foundation,” an organization established by supporters of the former leader.  

    Mr. Shehu said that during his presidency, Buhari declined a personal land allocation in the FCT, citing ownership of an existing plot.

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    He explained that the land in question was allocated to the foundation but faced challenges when the authorities imposed unusually high fees for the certificate of occupancy, unlike fees issued to similar groups. 

    This situation eventually led to the land revocation.  

    Garba Shehu expressed the hope that his clarification addresses widespread speculation and urged the public to avoid misinformation linking the former president directly to the seized property.

  • Stop Further Demolitions – Senate Orders Wike

    Stop Further Demolitions – Senate Orders Wike

    Concerned by widely circulating reports about sharp practices bordering on land grabbing, amongst others, the Nigerian Senate has instructed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to stop all demolitions in the FCT, except those ordered by the courts.

    The instruction by the senate shall subsist until full investigation is completed on the demolition exercise in the FCT.

    READ ALSO: Defamation Saga: Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee asked to Debar Farotimi

    An ad hoc committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, has therefore, been empaneled to look into the matter. 

    The committee is expected to submit a report within two weeks. 

    This decision follows concerns raised by Senator Ireti Kingibe, who claimed that proper procedures were not followed during the demolitions that were recently approved by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT.

  • Senate Advances FCT Development Commission Bill

    Senate Advances FCT Development Commission Bill

    On Wednesday, the Senate moved forward with the FCT Development Commission bill, passing it through the second reading.

    The proposed law seeks to establish a commission responsible for managing the growth of satellite towns located within 60 kilometers of Abuja’s borders.

     Senator Wadada Aliyu, who introduced the bill, addressed the pressures on neighboring towns due to Abuja’s rapid expansion as Nigeria’s political and economic hub. 

    The bill outlines a framework for the commission’s operations, including local offices and administrative units to ensure efficient management. Additionally, funding will be secured through a first-line charge, adhering to legal requirements.

     During the debate, senators had mixed reactions, with some raising concerns about the availability of funds and the possibility of overlapping functions with other agencies. The bill will now go through the committee stage for further review.

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  • Rivers APC Chairman Refutes Claims of Wike’s Health Issues

    Rivers APC Chairman Refutes Claims of Wike’s Health Issues

    Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee, has dismissed rumors suggesting that Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is unwell. 

    Okocha, who is a close ally of Wike, addressed the speculations in an exclusive interview, following a media briefing on recent developments within the state’s APC and the court’s ruling blocking federal allocation access to Rivers.

    These rumours surfaced after Wike appeared on national television, looking frail while responding to an allegation from Governor Siminalayi Fubara. 

    Social media users expressed concern over Wike’s appearance, questioning whether his weight loss indicated a hidden illness. 

    Some even suggested he should step back from his political duties to focus on his health.

    Okocha quickly dismissed these claims, stating that Wike’s health is not an issue. He emphasized that such rumors were baseless, as the minister continues to fulfill his duties with vigor. 

    Okocha noted that it is normal for individuals, especially those in demanding positions like Wike’s, to face criticism regarding their physical appearance, but he assured that Wike is neither sick nor struggling with any health issues.

  • Wike Dismisses Claims Of Building Homes For Judges To Curry Favours

    Wike Dismisses Claims Of Building Homes For Judges To Curry Favours

    As would be expected, FCT Minister, Wike, has refuted allegations that the construction of homes for judges is intended to curry favours.

    Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, Wike clarified that the housing project is not his personal initiative but part of a welfare package designed by President Bola Tinubu to support judicial independence.

    Wike insisted that he is simply fulfilling his role by implementing an already approved project.

    Wike explained, “(Tinubu said) ‘Where are the judges living? They have no homes and are therefore open to political manipulation and for me, as a president who wants to guarantee the independence of the judiciary, judges must have their homes’.

    “I am not Mr President; I am only lucky to be appointed as a minister under this administration and who is in the position to implement his policies. And Mr President said, look, this is what he wants; come up and see what we can do.

    “It was approved by Mr President, sent to the National Assembly in the 2024 budget that there should be construction of judges and Justices quarters. That they should move judges from where they are renting houses, living among criminals.

    “A policy anybody should commend Mr President, it is in the budget of 2024, appropriated by the National Assembly, assented to by Mr President which is a law. What is the problem? I am only the implementor, go and implement this.

    “Federal Executive Council approved the contract and everything, it is not my policy, how will you now want to kill me that I am implementing what the Federal Government approved?”

    Wike insisted that there is nothing wrong even if it was his idea to construct homes for judges, adding that he had done something similar as the governor of Rivers State.

    The former Rivers State governor lamented the criticisms for this project instead of commendation, especially from those in the legal profession.

  • Police to grant security clearance to Abuja drivers from 2025 – Wike

    Police to grant security clearance to Abuja drivers from 2025 – Wike

    Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, says the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services will give security clearance to commercial vehicle drivers in the nation’s capital, effective from January 2025.

    Speaking at the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja on Thursday, Wike stated that the move is to curtail kidnapping and cases of ‘one-chance’ robbery in Abuja.

    The minister disclosed that any commercial bus or taxi driver who is not cleared by the security agencies will not be allowed to operate with the FCT.

    He said, “Most of the Keke Napep and most of the motorcycles are informants. Everybody here who is a beneficiary is being profiled by security.

    “And so what we are coming up with is that from January next year, there will be nobody that will operate as a taxi driver or a bus driver without having approval from security, with security profiling you and without going about with Abuja colour. Nothing like using any vehicle on the road. No, we won’t allow that. We won’t allow that starting in January.

    “We will take the vehicle number, the names of the drivers, and the rest so everybody will have confidence that this is the vehicle I’m entering in case anything happens.”

    Wike also handed over some new cars to beneficiaries to use as taxis. He encouraged the beneficiaries not to be ashamed that they are being empowered to be taxi drivers.

    The minister stated that many Nigerians who reject taxi driving jobs at home gladly embrace such when they travel abroad.

    “They are not paying a dime. No, the government is saying this is our support to feed your family and reduce the cost of transportation in the city… Abuja should compete with other cities in the world,” he said.

  • FCT Teachers Call Off Strike After Wike’s Intervention

    FCT Teachers Call Off Strike After Wike’s Intervention

    The teachers are set to resume work today, October 8, 2024.

    Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called off their three-week strike following the intervention of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. 

    The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the FCT announced the suspension after an emergency meeting of its State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) in Abuja.

    The teachers had initially gone on strike on September 18 over unresolved issues related to welfare, including the payment of allowances, minimum wage arrears, and salary adjustments. 

    This recent action was part of ongoing efforts by the union to secure better conditions, following previous strikes in October 2023 and January 2024.

    The union acknowledged that Wike’s intervention included the release of 40 percent of the 25-month 2019 minimum wage arrears. 

    They also appreciated his commitment to settling the remaining 60 percent by directing the FCT Treasury to use a portion of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the area councils.

     The union emphasized that they will continue pushing for the fulfillment of outstanding entitlements, such as peculiar allowances and salary reviews, to prevent future strikes.

  • FCT Police Take Custody Of Suspect In Alleged Kidnap, Attempted Murder In Abuja Hotel

    FCT Police Take Custody Of Suspect In Alleged Kidnap, Attempted Murder In Abuja Hotel

    The FCT Police Command says it has taken custody of a 30-year-old male suspect of Ondo State, Joseph Efe, from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Command.

     

    Joseph was arrested on 17th September 2024 in Abuja for the alleged kidnapping, robbery, and attempted murder of the young lady, Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, a 25-year-old female of Abia State, whom he confined in a room at Top View hotel, Wuse, Abuja.

     

    A video which has since gone viral showed the Ijeoma confined in a room with her legs tied.

     

    Reports claimed she was kidnapped to be used for a money ritual.

     

    Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed the receipt of the suspect in a statement issued on Monday evening.

     

    “While discreet investigation into the matter has commenced, the FCT police command wishes to reaffirm its commitment to collaborate with other relevant security agencies in the effort against crime and criminality within the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement reads.

     

    The command had said it was waiting for the NSCDC to hand over the suspect to it for diligent investigation.

     

  • Peter Opara Appointed as New FCT Police Commissioner

    Peter Opara Appointed as New FCT Police Commissioner

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has confirmed the appointment of CP Peter Opara as the new Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
    The appointment was announced on Saturday by Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations.
    Opara replaces CP Benneth Igwe, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police and posted to Zone 7, Abuja, as the Zonal Assistant Inspector General of Police.
    CP Opara brings extensive experience to his new role. He previously served as the Commissioner of Police in the Force Secretary’s office and as the Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance in Imo State Command. He has held various key positions, including Personal Assistant to former PSC Chairman, IGP Mike Okiro (Rtd), and DCP at the Legal Studies Police Academy (POLAC) in Wudil, Kano. His career also includes roles as Area Commander in Aba and Uyo, Area Crime Officer in Kubwa, and Senior Deputy Defence Adviser at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, New York. Opara has served as Personal Assistant to several top police officials, including the Inspector General of Police, DIG Operations, and CP Lagos State Command.
    Additionally, the PSC has approved the appointment of CP Festus Eribo as the new Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, replacing CP Miller Gagere Dantawaye. Eribo, a law graduate from the University of Calabar, has held several prominent positions, including Liaison Officer at the Police Service Commission, Assistant Commissioner of Federal Operations at Force Headquarters, and Area Commander in Lagos and Oyo States. He was also previously the Commissioner of Police in Taraba State.
    The Commission had earlier sanctioned the posting of four other Commissioners of Police to Abia, Lagos, and Ebonyi states, in line with recommendations from the Inspector-General of Police.
  • Access Road: AMAC Chairman Assures Kafe District of a Facelift

    Access Road: AMAC Chairman Assures Kafe District of a Facelift

    Residents of Kafe District in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) may soon heave a sigh of relief as the deplorable access road to that part of town may soon get a facelift.

     

    AMAC Chairman, Hon. Christopher Maikalangu who made the promise yesterday, September 14, said however, that he shall convey the appeal of the residents for a complete revamp of the road to his boss, the Honorable Minister Nyesom Wike.

    He made the pledge during an inspection visit to the neighbourhood at the weekend, following earlier  appeals by the residents to the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory for some attention to be given to the only access road to the area.

     

    After touring the road that proceeds from the Junction of the MFCT Minister’s residence, Life camp, through the Magistrate Court till the end, serving about 48 Mass Housing Estates, Mr. Maikalangu expressed sympathy for the plight of the residents.

     

    While assuring that AMAC shall make arrangements to fix the widening potholes early next year, he promised to “report to his boss,” the Honorable Minister, who he said, shall be in the best position to construct an enduring carriage way.

     

    Earlier, Chief Uche Okereke, Chairman of Kafe District Stakeholders’ Forum (KDSF), while conducting the Chairman on the tour, hinted that the current stretch of road, complete with the solar street lights and other accessories were the private efforts of the Stakeholders.

     

    He explained that as a result of the numerous potholes and some failed portions of the road, residents have to endure commuting through traffic gridlocks, daily to work and return.

     

    The Chairman was accompanied on the visit by Amb. Alewa Akawu Nasiru, the AMAC Technical Consultant on Tenement Rate Administration.

     

    Amb. Nasiru enjoined the residents to ensure full compliance in the payment of their tenement rates and other levies to complement the gesture of the Chairman who has shown himself to be a listening leader.

     

    Expressing confidence in the likelihood of the current spate of development getting to Kafe, Amb. Nasiru said, “there is real presence of government in all nook and cranny of the FCT.

     

    The current minister, whom I call talk-and-do minister, is doing a great work in the delivery of democracy dividends. In no more than three months, we are sure that the FCT will become a brand new version of its old self.”