PRESS RELEASE
Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), a non-governmental, anti-corruption, civil society organization, after a diligent assessment, has commended and applauded the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Barr, Nyesom Wike for the overhaul of every nook and cranny of the capital city. This, the organization noted, can be seen through his sustenance of security of lives and property; religious dialogue and tolerance by inhabitants of Abuja; peaceful co-existence between settlers and original indigenes of Abuja; incredible road networks all over the territory; work-in-progress of road construction; all of which have gingered entrepreneurs by accelerating commercial activities and the development of the real estate sector like never before in the annals of history.
In a press release by the Executive Secretary, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, and Director, Media, Comrade Gabriel Gwajime, in Abuja Monday, the duo applauded the Minister for “the delivery on timely basis of most of the development infrastructure, including social amenities like potable water, solar electrification across the territory, street lightening and enhanced performance and productivity unlike what we witnessed in the past.”
The organization affirmed that the performing Minister, generally referred to as “Mr Projects,” when he held sway in Rivers State as Executive Governor, has taken governance to another level in the Federal Capital Territory, where he has become the cynosure of eyes of politicians alike, Abuja residents and Nigerians coming for business and going back to their base at the capital.
CWAI also noted the improved security of the territory is paramount in the heart of the Minister, as he is busy making sure that the traditional institution is working in tandem with the grassroots and his administration, so as to feel the pulse of the people and nip in the bud the security challenges like never before, as he is planning to deploy drones by partnering with the Parliamentary Republic of Hungary around the 800 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as securing inhabitants of the territory.
The organization further observed that, just recently, while he has upgraded the status of new chiefs for some chiefdoms namely, Karu, Kwali and Yaba within the Abuja metropolis and environs. Through Barr. Wike’s efforts, the issue of land speculators and grabbers in Abuja is becoming a thing of the past as the Minister has given marching orders for enforcement and working assiduously to restore back the Abuja Master Plan. As we write, we can authoritatively say that the Minister is, on weekly basis, visiting projects and sites to see first-hand and correct any anomaly and has given the people of Abuja date for the completion of most of the projects carried out.
CWAI has witnessed the massive infrastructural development being executed in the territory and has passed a vote of confidence on the Wike-led administration for marching words with action. Barr. Wike has performed as a foremost Minister in the Tinubu administration like never before where every nook and crannies of the territory is undergoing construction and rehabilitation.
The pace with which the work at various stages is going is unprecedented in the history of the capital city. This is backed up with the realization of democracy dividends and over all development and improvement of the well-being of the territory and Nigeria at large.
The release further averred that the myriads of achievements thus so far achieved by the Minister was made possible by his zero tolerance for corruption, negligence, delivery below schedules and expectations.
In view of this, CWAI stated that they are not surprised about what is happening at the capital city presently due to the torrents of infrastructural development and overhaul as the Minister is known as a workaholic and has a track record of achievements and milestones spanning over two decades of his public service life.
The organization also observed that Barr. Wike has given marching orders to contractors to light Abuja or face the music as he has vowed that it is not going to be “business as usual.” This, they added, the Minister has expressed dismay over the poor maintenance of street lights in the territory through the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Obuah.
The organization quoted the AMMC Coordinator as saying the present situation is unimpressive, adding that the darkness experienced in the city is due to poor maintenance and requires urgent attention and has urged the contractors to scale up their services as this does not befit the FCT as a capital city. Therefore, he urged the contractors to reverse the trend forthwith.
CWAI reliably gathered after diligent investigations that, some major roads will be completed, commissioned and considered as ongoing projects called “critical projects” across the Federal Capital Territory and expected for urgent delivery are already 98 per cent completed.
These projects, CWAI was assured, will be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu in May 2024. The projects include the construction of the Southern Parkway from the National Christian Centre to Ring Road 1, the development of the Outer Southern Expressway (SEX) from Villa Roundabout to Ring Road 1, Construction of the Vice President’s official residence within the Three Arms Zone.
The organization found out that other projects are the completion of B6 and B12 Circular Road, N20 from Northern Parkway (Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Expressway) and a whole lot of others.
Accordingly, this is a promise made and kept, because during the one year celebration coming up soon, the Abuja residents will have a lot of projects to be proud of and commissioned by the President. The Minister stated that “Mr President has given us all the support, so, we also have to make sure that all the support given by Mr President is not in vain and that’s why we are doing everything we can to complement his efforts in giving us what we require to do our job,” the Minister restated.
A foremost philanthropist, humanitarian and development consultant, Dr Emmanuel Musa, Chairman of EMNAMU Foundation and a resident of Abuja, aptly captures the Minister’s milestones and achievements by pouring encomiums and applauded the selfless efforts of Barr. Wike of the Federal Capital Territory since the creation of the city with the passion, drive and personal sacrifices, who is making sure he puts smiles on residents of the FCT.
The Minister is also doing everything possible to secure the lives of people and their property, including enhancing religious harmony between Christians and Muslims like never before seen. According to Dr Musa, “Minister Wike is a foremost minister and a performer of the Tinubu administration, who not only Abuja is proud of, but the entire country for his love for humanity and development.”
