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Category: FCT Update

  • Abuja industrial park: FG targets 40,000 jobs

    Still savouring current surge in economic growth, the Federal Government is targeting about 40,000 jobs to be created from the Abuja Industrial Park with projected impact of catalysing further growth in Nigeria’s economy.
    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, said on Wednesday that the park being developed by Zeberced Group, will create 40,000 jobs and improve Nigeria’s economy when fully operational.
    Wike stated this when he visited the site located at Idu Industrial Zone, Abuja, on Wednesday.
    The minister, excited by the level of development at the ark, promised to brief President Bola Tinubu on what he had seen.
    Quality and Size of the Project
    Describing the project as mind-boggling, Wike expressed optimism that it would grow the nation’s economy and create employment for the teeming youths in FCT.
    “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve never seen this in the entire country. This is the first time I am seeing this,” he said.
    He added that the project, which had been approved to operate as a Free Zone, would attract lots of businesses due to the availability of a stable power supply.
    The minister commended the company for its commitment to completing the project and for its decision to expand the access road to the park.
    He assured all of the continued support of the FCT Administration to ensure that the road project was completed.
    MFCT to Complement with Upgrade of Roads
    He expressed optimism that the road project, when completed, would accelerate the development of the Idu District.
    “From what the Managing Director of the company, Mr Adil Kurt said, the park is going to create not less than 40,000 direct employments and that is huge.
    “There is no government that will not support this kind of investment.
    “Having gone around, we can attest to the fact that this is really what we need to grow our economy. You can imagine how the whole of Idu will be developed.
    “This is what every government craves for, and we must give them the necessary support,” he said.
    Commendable Performance
    Wike further commended the Zeberced Group for maintaining a high standard in the delivery of the project.
    He particularly commended the company for branding all items being produced at the park, including polypropylene pipes, and sandwich insulation roofing sheets among others, as made in Nigeria.
    “For us, it is quality, and we thank God that we have some companies that are committed to making sure that they produce in Nigeria,” Wike said.
    The minister assured residents of adequate security and called for further investments in local production.
    Earlier, Kurt said that the park, which sits on 250 hectares of land, was being developed as a free zone, and currently features 208 workshops.
    He equally said that the park was designed to support small and medium-scale industries, among others.
    “The production of precast concrete, plastic and polypropylene pipes, as well as sandwich insulation roofing sheets among others, were already ongoing at the park.
    “The project will significantly contribute to the growth and development of the nation’s economy,” he added
  • The Jabi Lake Recreation Park lies Waste

    The Jabi Lake Recreation Park lies Waste

    Barring an urgent intervention by ‘Mr. Project’, Chief Nyesom Wike, the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Jabi Lake Recreation Park may soon be taken over by hoodlums and street beggars who throng the arena daily in search of sustenance.

     

    The real danger however, is the definite possibility of dangerous criminals infiltrating the arena some day and effecting traumatizing acts like an abduction.

     

    The Jabi Lake, an aquatic splendour of some sort, is one of the iconic landmarks of Abuja, the Federal Capital city of Nigeria, Africa’s most important country.

     

    Jabi Lake, Abuja: Aerial View

    Constructed in 1981, as an earthen dam, Jabi Lake is a body of water that was initially created as the first major source of water supply to the people of Abuja. The lake is over 1,300 hectares in total surface area. The reservoir may have initially supplied water to about 100,000 people..

     

    Even though man-made and limited in size, the lake has morphed into a natural aquatic ecosystem, with the potential of standing Abuja in the same stead as one of the beautiful cities in a hinterland decorated with a body of water like Cairo on the bank of the Nile River or the six great lake cities of the United States.

     

    See: Egypt Nile River_ Map, History, Facts, Location, Source

     

    In a bid to enhance its status as a recreation and tourist centre of good reckoning, the Jabi Lake area was reconstructed and re-kitted to become a beautiful recreation park in 2007. The new centre was inaugurated by then President Olusegun Obasanjo. As a reflection of the administration’s high hopes for the park, christened as the Jabi Lake Resort, it invited the American actor and global entertainment icon, Wesley Snipes to grace the occasion.

     

    Unfortunately, all that is history now. Jabi Lake Resort has become a shadow of its old self. The lake has been taken over be seaweed (water hyacinth) while wild bushes have grown around the precincts of the body of water, both completely defiling its scenic beauty.

    Overgrown with Seaweed

    Most infrastructural facilities provided have been totally vandalized. Armoured cables buried several feet in the ground to connect security lighting poles have been uprooted and carted away. Public conveniences have been taken over by hoodlums and the destitute who have converted them to their abodes.

     

     

    Uprooted Armoured Cable (left)

    Street beggars, urchins and hawkers abound, littering the complex with human and material wastes.  At the Jabi Lake recreation Park today, fitness enthusiasts who throng the arena daily to walk out, have to wangle through columns of beggars and their wards, mostly out-of-school children who pack into the arena to eke out a living.

     

    Mango and other ornamental trees planted for flora and climatic control are routinely violated and felled.

     

    Hawkers and other petty service providers have erected shacks and other makeshift shelters in the complex thereby giving it a complete slum-look.

    Destitute/Beggars

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Residents of the FCT, revelers, fitness enthusiasts and potential investors who spoke to Nigerian Anchor wonder why such a great recreation facility could be left to waste.

    Efforts to get the opinion of officials of the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) on the issue proved futile.

    Experts on tourism suggest the Ministry of the FCT should take steps to extricate property from whatever ownership encumbrances, revamp the facility and put it to some kind of commercial use.

    Better still, a Private, Public Partnership could be evolved to ensure that the complex, which was constructed at a great cost to taxpayers is not lost to hoodlums.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Confusion As Wike’s Office Refuses Protest Organiser’s Letter Requesting Use Of Eagle Square

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stirred controversy by refusing to acknowledge a formal request from the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement, a key organizer of the upcoming nationwide protests.
    The Take-It-Back group had written to Wike, seeking permission to use Eagle Square in Abuja from August 1 to 10, 2024, for the demonstrations.
    The letter, signed by Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilization for TIB in Abuja, emphasized the necessity of having round-the-clock access to the venue during the protests.
    Despite this, Wike asserted at a town hall meeting with critical FCT stakeholders on Saturday that his office had not received any such letter.
    “No letter was sent to my office requesting to use Eagle Square for the demonstration,” Wike claimed.
    This denial has led to accusations from Adenola, who suggested that the issue could stem from either bureaucratic delays or Wike’s unwillingness to admit receipt of the letter.
    Adding to the dispute, a source disclosed to SaharaReporters on Monday that “Wike’s office refused to acknowledge TIB’s letter requesting use of Eagle Square.”
    This revelation casts doubt on the minister’s earlier statements and has intensified the debate surrounding the protests.
    In a move seen as an attempt to suppress the planned demonstrations, Wike encouraged residents to disregard the protests and instead participate in celebrations with traditional rulers receiving their certificates on August 1.
    He also dismissed the protesters as “faceless,” a characterization that has provoked a strong response from the organizers.
    Adenola, speaking in an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, described Wike’s label of “faceless” as a “double insult,” highlighting that the protest leaders are “hungry Nigerians” and “unemployed Nigerians roaming the streets.”
    He stressed, “The greatest motivation of this #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest is hunger.”
    Adenola also clarified that the protest’s demands were formulated through democratic discussions among young Nigerians, reflecting their widespread frustrations.
    He emphasized that the Take It Back Movement is part of a larger coalition, not the sole organizer of the protests.
    “Take It Back is one of the organizers of this protest, but not the only organizer,” he stated, underscoring that the leadership of the protest comes from the collective will of the Nigerian people, not just a single entity.

  • Reps flays FCT ‘park and pay’ policy

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    The House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has criticized the “park and pay” system implemented by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    During an interactive session with Chinedum Elechi, the mandate secretary for the transportation secretariat, in Abuja on Wednesday, Mukthar Betara, chairman of the committee, expressed concerns about the policy, highlighting reports of harassment faced by residents and motorists from those enforcing it.

    The FCTA reintroduced the “park and pay” policy in August 2023 following agreements with two concessionaires, aiming to alleviate city congestion and enhance driving conditions. This policy had previously been suspended in April 2014 by a high court ruling that found it unlawful due to lack of legal backing.

    Betara sought details on the reintroduction process, the policy’s authorization, and how fees are remitted to the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). In response, Elechi confirmed that the policy is supported by a legal framework and that parking is confined to designated areas.

    “The park and pay are by regulation. We have legal framework. It is part of the way of controlling traffic.

    ” So, under the part and pay, designated areas are meant to be parks. So, it is legal. It is revenue paid through concessionaires.

    According to him, there is usually a ration between the concessionaires and the FCT. So, for areas where we have concessionaires, there is a percentage that goes to the concessionaires.

    ” It is 60 per cent, and 40 per cent goes to FCT. The infrastructure for the work is usually provided by the concessionaire. The revenue goes straight to the revenue account of the FCT, not transportation.”

    The committee chairman queried the mandate secretary about the contract process, asking how the contract was established.

    ” In appointing your concessionaires, what procedure did you follow? How much has been remitted to the FCDA from January to date? Who gave you the approval?” Betara asked.

    Hussaina Olayemi, the director of legal services, transport, explained that the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Abuja Investment Company, the FCT organisation responsible for public-private partnerships, were involved.

    “After their involvement, the concession was submitted to the federal executive council, for approval. So, we have the FEC approval,” Olayemi stated.

    The committee criticised the allocation of 60 per cent of revenue to concessionaires while the government receives only 40 per cent.

    Betara demanded clarification on what infrastructure the concessionaires are providing.

    Replying, Elechi stated that the concessionaire is responsible for marking roads.

    However, Mr Betara countered, asserting that no roads in Abuja have been marked by the concessionaire.

    “The way the concessionaires operate in Abuja, they harass people on the streets. I would have advised you people to have given the VIO this concessionaire.

    ”Let them take this up so that the whole revenue will go to FCT. Why are you personalising this for an individual?” Betara said.

  • Senate passes N98.5bn FCT supplementary budget

    Senate passes N98.5bn FCT supplementary budget

    The Senate on Tuesday, June 11, passed the sum of N98.5billion as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2024.

    The passage of the Bill was a sequel to the consideration of the report of the Senate committee on FCT during plenary.

    The Senate had last week stepped down the Bill, saying the details of the budget needed to accompany it.

    The vice chairman of the committee, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu West) presented the report on behalf of the chairman of the Committee Senator Bomai Mohammed (APC-Yobe South) who was absent during the plenary.

    Details shortly…

  • FG To Offer Nigerians 2 Months Free Rides On Abuja Light Rail

    FG To Offer Nigerians 2 Months Free Rides On Abuja Light Rail

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed plans by the federal government to offer Nigerians two months of free rides on the Abuja light rail service.

    Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the ministerial press briefing reviewing the one-year performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Wike disclosed that the Abuja light rail would be commissioned by the President on Monday.

    He added that the free ride would commence on Tuesday after the inauguration on Monday.

    According to Wike, this is part of President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda for the residents of the FCT and its environments.

    “For those who are saying that the rail system had already been commissioned, don’t make a mistake. What was earlier commissioned was the building. What we want to commission on Monday is commercial operations.

    “If you are going to the airport, from here to airport is 20 minutes. Seeing is believing. Go on Tuesday. We are going to allow for free rides for two months. You know, Mr. President, he can even say extend it to six months just to reduce the pain of our people. That is renewed hope agenda. When you say something, you do it,” Wike said.

  • Wike orders closure of International Conference Centre

    Wike orders closure of International Conference Centre

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has taken decisive action by ordering the closure of the International Conference Centre in Abuja. 

    The move comes after a thorough inspection revealed the urgent need for rehabilitation of the facility, which Wike deemed unworthy of its international status.

     Julius Berger has been tasked with carrying out the renovation, following the termination of the contract with the previous management company. 

    Wike emphasized the importance of transforming the centre into a world-class venue, appointing experienced diplomat Maureen Tamuno to oversee its management. 

    With an eight-month timeline for completion, the aim is to restore pride in Nigeria’s international conference facilities.

  • Popular Abuja Market On Fire

    Popular Abuja Market On Fire

    A fire has erupted at Wuse Market Abuja’s bustling commercial hub, on Tuesday evening. 

    The fire prompted immediate evacuations and a swift response from emergency services.

    The cause of the inferno has remained unknown, but the rapid mobilization of firefighters and security personnel to the site shows the gravity of the situation. 

    The market, known for its extensive array of goods and services, experienced an abrupt halt in activities as traders and shoppers alike were seen fleeing the vicinity.

    This incident follows a tragic event on February 29, 2024, where a fire claimed three lives in a residential building within EFAB estate, Karsana District, near Gwarinpa.

    The fire reportedly originated from an explosion linked to a diesel drum, leading to a fierce battle against the flames by both residents and the Federal Fire Service (FFS).

    The current fire at Wuse Market has caused significant concern among the populace, given the market’s prominence and the recent memory of the EFAB estate tragedy.

  • Protesters storm Maitama over ‘Illegal’ enforcement by Asabe Waziri, Police, FCT court officials

    Protesters storm Maitama over ‘Illegal’ enforcement by Asabe Waziri, Police, FCT court officials

    Protesters in their large numbers stormed Maitama district of the Federal Capital Territory, to protest what they described as illegal siege on a property, located at No. 1 Mekong Close.

    Two flats in the property of 15 flats have been in dispute between Abeh Signatures Limited and Asabe Waziri, a millionaire civil servant and staff of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL) for over two years.

    The Resident Facility Manager, Monday Fada, who led other protesters, said in the last one week, the peace of the area and the property has been disrupted.

    He alleged that the police are being used to perpetuate illegalities by aiding Mrs Waziri to gain possession of the property.

    Therefore, they called on the Inspector -General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun to call his men to order to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    “We had an invasion here on Friday by one Madam Asabe Waziri, using the police to come and disrupt the peace in our property without any valid court, no notice, nothing.

    “They had the backing of the police and they came and vandalized people’s property here.

    “We are calling on President Bola Tinubu, the FCT minister, and the Inspector -General of Police to intervene and restore peace to this property because that is what we need in here.

    “If there is any issue on the property, the court is there to hear the grievances of all parties. We want the rule of law to prevail, things should be done with due process.

    “These are investors who have invested heavily, so the president should not allow this to happen as it will discourage other investors,” he said.

    Last week, a lawyer, Mr Victor Giwa, wrote the IGP to halt the illegalities being perpetuated by the Nigerian Police and Ms Asabe Waziri.

    In the letter dated March 1, 2024, signed by Barrister Giwa, the lawyer accused policemen under the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations of giving backing to break into a property located at No. 1Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja.

    The lawyer called for the intervention of the IGP to halt what could lead to breakdown of law and order in the area.

    Giwa said in the, letter, “Staff of our client approached them to find out why they were criminally intimidating and trespassing into the property without any authorization or any valid Order of Court which no body answered. The hoodiums accompanied by the Police went straight to Flat 3B and 3C, broke down the entire doors and windows without consent or authorization of the resident who were not even at home and began to vandalize, destroy and bring out all the belongings inside the 2 Flats.

    “The Manager of the apartment upon approaching the hoodlums to find out what is actually going on, was threatened that if he tried anything funny, he will be shot and brutalized. The manager later found out from one of the policemen that they were instructed to come there upon the malicious instigation of one Asabe Waziri and the FCT High Court Director of Enforcement Mr Tony Chukwuemeka Ubani who are both parties to various Court cases revolving around this particular property.

    “Asabe Waziri and Mr Tony Ubani hoodwinked the DIG Police Force Operations to enforce an Order of Court which is not enforceable. The Case is already pending before the Court of Appeal Abuja Judicial Division and even the Court was of the opinion that the Order/Judgment cannot be enforced as it was just an Order to maintain Status quo.

    “The property that was criminally trespassed is also currently Lis Pendens and a subject of Litigation pending before a Court of law. This development is totally strange and unlawful as there is an already subsisting Court Order from FCT High Court Bwari restraining Asabe Waziri from interfering, trespassing, disturbing the quiet possession of the residents and she was further estopped from doing anything adverse to the property described as a two (2) bedroom unit of flat 3B and 3C, Abeh Signature Apartments, 1 Mekong Close Maitama Abuja pending the determination of the substantive suit with reference number: CV/3261/22. Please find attached a copy of the Court Order and pictures taken from the incidence annexed to this petition. The unlawful actions of parties involved caused a lot of damages to the properties of the residents worth Millions of Naira. We respectfully call on your good office to investigate into these illegal and unlawful acts and subsequently prosecute them accordingly. Please accept the assurances of our professional regards always.”

  • FCT police Denies reports of looted truck

    FCT police Denies reports of looted truck

    The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has debunked reports claiming a truck carrying food items in the Dei-Dei area of the FCT was attacked and looted on Monday morning.

    In a statement released by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the police said they were unaware of such attacks.

    However, Adeh asked that anyone or any persons with evidence of any such activities to come forward and report to the police.

    “The FCT Police Command is not aware of any looting of food trucks in Dei-Dei Abuja this morning, being the 4/3/2024, but if you have any information pls, come to us with details,” the statement read.