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Tag: Nysome wike

  • May 29 delivery of Abuja light rail sacrosanct – Wike

    May 29 delivery of Abuja light rail sacrosanct – Wike

    The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike has expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far on Abuja light rail project, reassuring that its delivery on May 29 is sacrosanct.

    The minister gave the assurances on Wednesday after inspecting the ongoing construction of access roads to the train stations from Metro Train Station in Central Area to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The minister reassured journalists who accompanied him on the inspection tour that the rail project would be commissioned on May 29 by President Bola Tinubu to mark his one year in office.

    NAN reports that the stations visited are, Wupa station close to Idu and Bassanjiwa station close to the airport.

    “This is part of our routine inspection of ongoing projects to see what the contractors have been doing.

    “We are working day and night to see that we fulfill; the promise we made to President Tinubu and residents of the FCT, that by May, Mr President will ride on the Metro line.

    “We want to have access roads to the various train stations, because if you do not create access roads to the communities who will be using the train, then the aim is defeated,’’ he said.

    The minister acknowledged the seriousness of the contractors to deliver the project.

    “You have heard what the representative of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd. said that they will be working day and night to see that the project is completed.

    “For me, it is a major project, so that it can reduce the influx of vehicles into the city. It is going to help us,’’ he said.

    On availability of funds, the minister said that FCT Administration was fully prepared and had secured some funding sources to deliver the projects.

    Speaking on insecurity that might affect the workers on site, Wike assured that security had improved significantly in the territory.

    According to him, if people are working at night in Abuja, it means the city is secured.

    Earlier, the minister inspected the ongoing construction of a single lane expressway from Idu Industrial Layout to Zuba, being constructed by Salini Nigeria Ltd.

    Wike explained that the project was delayed because it crossed a rail line and required a permission from the Federal Ministry of Transport to proceed.

    According to him, if approval is given, then the contractor will be able to do some work and facilitate the speed.

     

  • Wike’s security interventions reducing crimes in Abaji – Chairman

    Wike’s security interventions reducing crimes in Abaji – Chairman

    Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, Chairman, Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says security interventions by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, are reducing kidnappings and other criminal activities in the area.

    Abdullahi stated this during a security town hall organised by the Office of the Minister in collaboration with the Abaji Area Council, in Abaji on Friday.

    The meeting was organised for the minister to interact with residents of the area to find a lasting solution to insecurity in the federal capital.

    The council chairman said that before the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, Abaji was experiencing constant kidnappings and other criminal activities.

    He blamed part of the challenge on the location of the area, sharing boundaries with Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa states.

    He, however, said that the proactiveness of the current administration and Wike’s security interventions have played critical roles in turning the tide around.

    “By the special grace of God, the current administration has reduced these ugly activities to a minimal level and today, we are experiencing considerable peace and security.

    “We must also appreciate our security agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies, youth and voluntary organisations for their immense support and contribution in ensuring considerable peace,” he said.

    The council boss also commended the FCT Minister for initiating the construction of a five kilometre road each, in the six area councils as part of rural development efforts.

    “This has proved our disposition that FCT is in safe and competent hands,” he said.

    He appealed for a military checkpoint in Yaba town and an upgrade of Gawun Police Station into a full Divisional Police Station with additional manpower.

    Other requests by the chairman include additional vehicles and logistics for security agencies and completion of abandoned roads and other projects in the area.

    On his part, the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, commended Wike for the relentless service to the residents of FCT, particularly on improving security and other development projects.

    While commending the improved security being recorded in the area so far, the traditional leader appealed for the establishment of army barracks in Abaji.

    He appealed to the Minister to ensure the completion and take-off of the proposed University of Science and Technology, Abaji.

    Yunusa thanked President Tinubu for appointing a well-experienced politician, Mr Wike, to manage the affairs of the FCT as the minister.

    Responding, Wike granted most of the requests, except for the University of Science and Technology, which he said was being looked into.

    He urged the residents to support the government to address insecurity and sustain the relative peace being enjoyed in the area and FCT in general.

    The minister called for the support of residents and community structure to support security agencies with valuable information to foil criminal acts.

    “We believe that interacting with you will give you that confidence that the government is with you, the government will not forget you, and the government will work with you to see that these challenges are sorted out,” he said.

     

  • ‘One chance’: FCTA moves to ban unpainted taxis, buses

    ‘One chance’: FCTA moves to ban unpainted taxis, buses

    The Ministery of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration will soon bar unpainted taxis and buses from plying FCT roads.

    The Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, made this known while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday.

    Wike explained that the move was to address the incidence of ‘one chance’ in the city.

    according to him, ‘one chance’ involves criminals posing as taxi drivers who rob, assault, and sometimes murder their unsuspecting passengers.

    The minister, who said that the menace of ‘one chance’ had been brought down, added stricter measures were necessary to end the trend in the FCT.

    “We are not going to allow vehicles that are not painted with FCT colour and registered by the FCTA to ply commercial in the territory.

    “That way, you know the driver is certified by the FCT and the buses and the taxes were also approved by the FCT.

    “When this is done, you as the passenger will not take the risk of going to enter any vehicle that you don’t even know,” he said.

    Wike added that Uber operators would also need to register to operate in Abuja, so that the government would know who the divers were.

    He also said that the drivers need to be certified and profiled by the security agencies,” this is a city, if you don’t have rules, there will be problems.”

    The minister expressed concern that the capital territory does not have an official terminal where residents can go and board a bus to a specific destination.

    “That way, you know the drivers and the vehicle that you are entering.

    “But currently, everybody is just on the road. You are going to Nyanya, a car is on the road, you enter; you are going to Wuye, a car is on the road you enter.

    “What we are trying to do in the 2024 fiscal year is to at least build three terminals for a start, so that we will know the buses and taxes that will carry people from such terminals.

    “When this is done nobody will take the risk of going on the road to waif for a taxi. That way, you will be able to reduce crime,” he said.

     

  • JUST IN: APC appoints Wike’s political allies into caretaker committee

    JUST IN: APC appoints Wike’s political allies into caretaker committee

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the  ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dissolved the Rivers State Executives of the Party at all levels.

    Briefing journalists after the meeting of the NWC at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka,  announced the NWC’s decision to appoint a seven-member Caretaker Committee to steer the Party’s affairs in the state for the next six months.

    Political allies of the immediate past governor of Rivers state and minister of the federal capital territory, Nyesom Wike lead the newly constituted Rivers state APC caretaker committee.

    The chairman of the seven member caretaker committee is Chief Tony Okocha an ally of the FCT minister while other members, all known People’s Democratic Party, PDP stalwarts include: Chief Eric Nwibani who is the secretary; Hon. Chibuike Ikenga; Prince Stephen Abolo; Hon. Silvester Vidin; Senibo Karibi Dan-Jumbo and Miss Darling Amadi.

    The National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, Esq., who read out the Party’s decision signed by the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Deputy National Secretary, Barr. Festus Fuanter, disclosed that the Caretaker Committee is mandated to conduct a comprehensive and fresh electronic party registration of all members in the State.

     

     

     

  • FCT open for discussion with UAE on tourism development – Wike

    FCT open for discussion with UAE on tourism development – Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, said on Monday, that the FCT Administration was open for discussion with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on tourism development.

    Wike stated this when the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Salem Al-Shamsi visited him in his office in Abuja.

    The minister noted that UAE, particularly Dubai city has become a tourist centre of the world, stressing that Nigeria was looking towards making its capital city, Abuja, a tourism centre.

    He said that officials of the FCT Administration would be part of President Bola Tinubu’s entourage for the forthcoming COP28, in Dubai, adding that the team would open discussion on Abuja’s tourism potential.

    This, according to him, will be of economic benefits for the two countries.

    “We believe in the relationship that President Tinubu is facilitating between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. It is important for Abuja city to consolidate on it.

    “We would like to partner with the United Arab Emirates because we have a lot in common. I am glad that the relationship is getting better and better than what it used to be.

    “I know for President Tinubu, governance is business, and whatever is going to make Nigeria great is what he stands for.

    “So, we are here as his foot soldiers to complement his effort to see that his renewed hope agenda is fulfilled,” Wike said.

    Wike urged the UAE to quickly resolve the visa issue and Emirates flight, to enable Nigerians to travel to Dubai and other cities of the UAE for tourism and do business.

    Earlier, Al-Shamsi, expressed his love for the Nigerian people, and his excitement that President Tinubu would attend the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) in Dubai.

    “This is going to be something great for us,” he said.

    On the visa and Emirates flight issue, the ambassador assured the minister that it would be resolved soon.

    The UAE will host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).

    The conference would be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, at Expo City Dubai, to discuss and agree on bold, practical, and ambitious soluti

  • Fubara’s Impeachment: Call Wike, Security agencies in Rivers to order – Edwin Clark tells Tinubu

    Fubara’s Impeachment: Call Wike, Security agencies in Rivers to order – Edwin Clark tells Tinubu

    The National leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) chief Edwin Clark has advised President Bola Tinubu to call on the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nysome Wike to order over impeachment plot against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    Fubara who is not on good terms with Wike, paid a visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex after a fire outbreak but he was attacked by police men who tear gassed and poured water on him.
    Reacting to the development, the elder statesman in a statement on Monday said Nigeria is not in a barbaric state where people can do whatever they like.

    “I have been greatly disturbed by the reported developments in Rivers State in the last 24 hours. I have been reliably informed that there is a plot to unlawfully remove the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Siminalaye Fubara, who has spent only about 5 months in office.

    “I understand the sad episode is being orchestrated by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike. And that the intention is to remove the Governor, force his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu to resign, and install the Speaker of the House of Assembly, another Ikwerre person as the governor of the State.

    Let me warn strongly, we won’t allow that to happen!

    “President Bola Tinubu must call Nyesom Wike and the security agencies in Rivers State to order, to avert any untold crisis in Rivers State.

    “Last night, the hallowed chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly was burnt, in what apparently is part of the plot to destabilize the State.

    “The Governor was tear-gassed and was even threatened with being shot at when he visited the Assembly Complex after the incident, to assess the level of damage.

    “We are not in a barbaric state where people can do whatever they like; we are in a democracy and the tenets of constitutional democracy must be upheld by all.

    “Rivers people have suffered enough political crises, the state should not be allowed to degenerate again into its dark past, and the Niger Delta Region by extension. The consequences would be dire for the stability of the region and the National Economy.

    “What has Governor Fubara done wrong? Refusing to be further “remote controlled”?

    “Mr. Nyesom Wike was Governor for 8 years, nobody hassled him. He governed Rivers State like an Emperor, he did not show any iota of respect and regard to anyone, not even those who imposed him on Rivers people in 2015.

    “President Tinubu must act fast and avert the unfolding crisis in Rivers State in the interest of his administration, the nation’s democracy, and the Country at large,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Wike sacks 21 heads of FCT parastatals, agencies

    BREAKING: Wike sacks 21 heads of FCT parastatals, agencies

    Shake up as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike,  approved the sack of 21 heads of FCT parastatals, agencies and companies.

    The Director of Press, Anthony Ogunleye, in a statement issued Wednesday said the order relieving them of their appointments is with immediate effect.

    The affect agencies, parastatals and companies are: Group MD/CEO, Abuja Investment Company Ltd, CEO/MD, Abuja Markets Management Ltd, MD/CEO, Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company, CEO/MD, Abuja Property Development Company

    Others are: CEO/MD Abuja Technology Village Free Trade Zone Company, CEO/MD Abuja Film Village International, CEO/MD Powernoth AICL Equipment Leasing Company Ltd, MD Abuja Broadcasting Corporation, MD, Abuja Enterprise Agency, GM, FCT Water Board, DG, FCT Emergency Management Agency.

    Ogunleye stressed that the sack also affected the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board, Director General, Hospital Management Board, Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Director, FCT Scholarship Board, Director FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Director, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Center.

    The sack did not leave out Director, FCT Health Insurance Scheme, Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department and Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council

    Ogunleye added that the affected persons are to hand over the affairs of their offices to the most senior officers in rank.

    He said appointments into the offices would be made in due course.

     

  • Wike promises foreign investors of better deals in Abuja

    Wike promises foreign investors of better deals in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has promised foreign investors that are willing to invest in the nation’s capital, Abuja, to feel free and do so, as better deals await them.

    FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, gave this assurance in the just concluded Africa International Trade Exhibition meeting in Midtown, New York, United States of America.

    The The Minister, who was represented at the meeting by the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said FCT Administration will always evolve measures that would bring about effective economic programmes and policies that will create conducive business environment for investors.

    The Minister listed major areas that the Administration and residents need most to include Agriculture, tourism, infrastructure development, transportation, healthcare, waste management and hospitality industry.

    Wike explained that the participation of FCTA in the investment summit has opened up more opportunities for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the Territory.

    The Minister said Abuja Investment Company Limited and Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre will be driving the initiative for easy implementation.

    “The Administration’s participation in the investment summit was very important. The summit offers us the opportunity to present the investment opportunities in FCT, and greater opportunity to talk about the potentials in the agricultural sector.”

    “It was a platform to call on our people, especially the people in diaspora, to come on board and assist us to tackle the issue of food insecurity.

    “And then we have tourism, infrastructure development, transportation, healthcare, waste management and hospitality industry. All these are areas that people can come and invest. And we really need collaboration and public partnership because without collaboration, without partnership we cannot achieve what we want to achieve”.

    He used the forum to solicit for huge investment in affordable housing; noting that the Administration is poised to improving the socio-economic status of the masses in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.

     

  • I’m still a PDP chieftain but… Wike

    I’m still a PDP chieftain but… Wike

    The immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has insisted that he is still a Chieftain of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but did not regret serving as minister in the government of the President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Wike is currently the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), one of the presidential kitchen cabinet positions.

    Wike, who featured on Channels TV Politics Today, said: “I am not working for APC. I am working for Tinubu who have trust in me to help him deliver the renewed hope renewed agenda.

    “I owe nobody any apology at all. I was in PDP and I worked for Ahmed Bola Tinubu to become the President of Nigeria.”

    He stressed that no body in the PDP has the gut , to suspend or discipline him.

    He said: “who will discipline me? I should be the one calling for the discipline of these people who violated the party’s constitution, in the way that the party supported rotation.
    “Who will suspend me? I want to dare anybody.”

    The ex-governor said that he informed PDP leadership before he took the ministerial offer of President Tinubu, stressing that he remained a PDP chieftain despite working for the APC government.
    “I want to support Asiwaju (Tinubu) to finish well.”

    He stressed also that he owed no one an apology for supporting power shift to southern Nigeria.

    “We are just waiting for the presidential panel to finish, you will know who actually are those who are working well for the party.

    “How can anybody talk about expelling me? A state that brought a governor? A state that brought three senators? A state that produced 32 House of Assembly members? A state that produced 11 out of 13 House of Representatives.

    “The person that would suspend me is the one that couldn’t produce a governor, is the one that couldn’t produce three senators?

  • N5bn palliative: FCT considering transportation, food – Minister

    N5bn palliative: FCT considering transportation, food – Minister

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCTA is considering transportation and food supplies support with the N5 billion palliative received from the Federal Government.

    Wike stated this in Abuja on Monday after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT.

    The Federal Government had on Aug. 17 announced a N5 billion palliative for each state of the federation, including the FCT, to cushion the impact of the removal of the petrol subsidy.

    Some of the state governments have confirmed receiving N2 billion from the amount, while awaiting the N3 billion balance.

    However, the minister said that the FCT was not included in the N5 billion palliative until he wrote a memo informing President Bola Tinubu of the development.

    He added that Tinubu has approved the amount, adding that other states have received N2 billion already, expressing confidence that the FCT will equally receive soon.

    “But we are yet to decide on what to do with the N2 billion palliative. We have not chosen any area yet.

    “Are we going to concentrate on food, but we are thinking that the issue of transportation is very very important, particularly the urban mass transit.

    “People would like to have easy transportation to go to where they want to go, and if you give them rice and they eat the rice today, what about transportation tomorrow?

    “So, we have not come up with what actually we are going to use the money for, but I believe food support and transportation is very key,” he said.

    The minister added that efforts were ongoing to bring back urban mass transportation to be able to reduce the suffering of the masses in terms of transportation.