Day: August 21, 2024

Shortly after assuming office as FCT minister on Aug. 21, 2023, Mr Nyesom Wike announced short, medium, and long-term plans to restore the Abuja Master Plan.

Wike, along with FCT minister of state Mariya Mahmoud, explained that overhauling the FCT would reposition it to be among the best cities in the world in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

He added that emphasis would be placed on infrastructural development, taking one project at a time, to restore the city to its glory.

The minister said that development would also be extended to the six Area Councils as part of strategies to decongest the city and open rural economy.

Sadly, Wike was confronted with the sight of abandoned projects that characterised the capital city.

The minister noted that FCT had, over the years, witnessed foundation laying ceremonies of several structures worth billions, only to be abandoned midway or at advanced stages of the construction.

While assessing them, he pointed out that some of the contracts
were awarded in 2007, some in 2011, while others were awarded between 2015 and 2017, with all abandoned.

Confronting the challenge, Wike said that revenue leakages would be blocked so as to mobilise the needed resources for infrastructural development in the FCT.

‘I will ensure that Abuja gets the best. You will see projects upon projects, and projects that will be completed and not abandoned.

‘I am not a party to abandoned projects. I start a project when there is money as such we will look into our finances before we begin any project,’ the minister had said.

Innovatively, Wike got most of the contractors back to site after agreeing on a payment plan with money from the FCT Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and 2023 Supplementary Budget.

To improve IGR, the minister inaugurated a Task Force on the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy for mass housing developments and the recovery of land use contravention fees in the FCT.

He equally introduced innovations and enforced the payment of outstanding grou
nd rents and other taxes in the FCT, a decision that increased the territory’s revenue generation significantly.

This is evident with the recent declaration of N126.54 billion collected and remitted between January and June by the FCT Internal Revenue Service.

The then acting Executive Chairman of the service, Mr Haruna Abdullahi, said that the figure was 53.5 per cent higher than the N82.46 billion collected in the first half of 2023.

The minister also secured the approval of Tinubu to withdraw FCTA from Treasury Single Account, to enable the administration to access funds from financial institutions to fund projects.

These initiatives paid off, as nine months later, the Wike-led FCTA announced the completion of numerous projects which were inaugurated in May to celebrate Tinubu’s one year in office.

Some of the projects included the official residence of the Vice President, the Abuja Rail Mass Transit system, Inner Southern Expressway from the Outer Southern Expressway to the Southern Parkway.

Others
are full scope development of about 6.7km of 10 lanes Outer Southern Expressway from Villa Roundabout to Ring Road 1 Junction, and construction of Southern Parkway from the Christian Centre to Ring Road 1, named after President Bola Tinubu.

Equally inaugurated were the completed B6 (Constitution Avenue)/B12 (Independence Avenue) roads in Central Area, and Wuye interchange bridge.

The full scope development of the Arterial Road, N-20, from Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Expressway to Murtala Mohammed Expressway, was also partly completed and named after noble laurel Wole Soyinka.

Another milestone of the Wike-led FCTA was the completion of engineering infrastructure in Guzape District Lot II, and the resurfacing of 189 roads covering 57 km within Abuja city centre among others.

He assured that other ongoing projects would be completed by December 2024, including the rehabilitation and resurfacing of 366 roads in Wuse, Garki, Asokoro and Maitama Districts, covering 117 km.

Also ongoing are the rehabilitation of Distr
ict Hospital Gwarimpa, Cottage Hospital Gwagwalada and District Hospital Utako, Greater Abuja Water Supply Project and rehabilitation of 19 public primary and secondary schools across the territory.

The minister also recently inaugurated the construction of three bus terminals in the FCT to ensure a secure and convenient travel experience for commuters in the FCT.

He also inaugurated the construction of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal Complex to strengthen the administration of justice.

Road users and residents described the feat as unprecedented, saying that Wike was the best thing that had happened to FCT.

‘I have been living in Abuja for 16 years but never witnessed a speedy delivery of road projects until Wike happened.

‘Look at the road to Asokoro from Apo, which was under construction for several years, but Wike delivered it in just eight months,’ said a resident, Mr Andrew Moses.

Similarly, Mr Shuabu Yunusa, a taxi driver said, ‘It is now seamless going to Asokoro from Apo. The Tinubu-l
ed administration is really working and deserved our commendation.’

In keeping to his promise not to leave rural communities behind in the development agenda, the minister has inaugurated the construction of rural roads of more than 42.2km across the six Area Councils and promised to complete them by December.

Similarly, the minister has also handed over Staff of Office to four newly coronated Chiefs of Karu, Kwali, Pai, and Yaba, as part of measures to strengthen traditional institutions and improve governance in communities.

According to him, the traditional rulers are expected to draw the attention of the government to any development, security and other issues that require government attention and response.

Beyond infrastructural development, stakeholders said that Wike has carved his name in gold by ensuring the implementation of the FCT Civil Service Commission (CSC), 2018, against all odds.

The minister, on Oct. 13, 2023, announced President Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of CSC for the F
CTA, in line with the provisions of the law.

This, he said, was to allow career progression for civil servants in the Administration, from director to permanent secretary and, hopefully, Head of Civil Service.

On March 12, Wike announced Tinubu’s approval for the appointment of Mr Udo Atang, as pioneer Head of Civil Service of the FCTA.

Mr Emeka Ezeh was also appointed Chairman of the Commission’s Board, along with six others as commissioners, representing the six geopolitical zones.

Similarly, 10 other directors in the FCTA were appointed as pioneer Permanent Secretaries for various Secretariats of the Administration.

The excited pioneer head of FCT civil service, described the development as a demonstration of the reality of the renewed hope agenda of the Tinubu-led government.

Commending Tinubu and Wike for renewing the hope of FCT workers, Atang said: ‘the staff of the Administration have never had it this good.

‘In the new FCTA system, every member of staff is a potential permanent secretary and h
ead of service.’

To ensure gender equality, as well as women and youth participation in governance, Wike, within one year in office, has created Women Affairs Secretariat and Youth Development Secretariat.

This has increased the number of secretariats in the FCTA from eight to 10 with a view to ensure inclusive governance.

On security, the Wike-led FCTA has supported security agencies, including vigilante groups, with motorcycles and operational vehicles, fitted with modern communication gadgets.

This, according to him, is to enable security agencies to navigate hard-to-reach communities in rural areas and improve security operations within the city.

Wike equally inaugurated a Joint Task Force, consisting of all security agencies in the FCT, to curb the menace of ‘one chance’ and another to curtail the activities of arm rubbers, kidnappers and all forms of crimes within the FCT and its environment.

While assessing the performance of the Wike-led FCTA on security, Mr Adamu Gwary, Director, Security Servi
ces Department, FCTA, argued that the impact was impressive, considering the reduced incidents of security breaches.

Sharing Gwary’s view, Prof. Kailani Muhammed, Director-General of the Confederation of All Progressives Congress said that FCT had become a safe haven where residents could afford to sleep with their two eyes closed.

Despite the laudable feats within one year in office, stakeholders have stressed the need to invest more on people-oriented projects such as provision of clean water, quality health services and transportation system.

This, according to them, will impact significantly on the lives of the common residents of the FCT.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Joint Steering Committee on National Housing Data Centre, to develop and implement a blueprint for ensuring transparency and easy access to housing.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, inaugurated the centre on Tuesday in Abuja.

Dangiwa said that the centre would be useful for policy and decision making towards affordable housing and the well-being of Nigerians.

He said that the measure was imperative in order to meet the housing needs of Nigerians and unleash the sector’s potential as an enabler of economic growth.

According to him, there are many issues in the sector that need fixing.

‘The lack of credible, scientific, and verifiable data on the state of housing in our country stands out as the most pressing and embarrassing.

‘This is because, without data, we cannot know the magnitude of the problem we are facing, and the resources we need to allocate.

‘This is coupled with the challenge of substandard houses that do not meet the
conditions of safety, security and other parameters as set out by the UN and the World Health Organisation (WHO),” he said.

Dangiwa added that there was no industry-accepted data to guide the government, housing agencies, and financial institutions in planning and outlining strategies to fix Nigeria’s housing problems.

‘What we have had over the decades are speculations and estimates.

‘At the Ministry, we consider this a national emergency for the housing sector and as a government, we can not allow it to continue.

‘Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, for housing and urban development, fixing Nigeria’s housing data problem is a top priority, ‘ he said.

The minister said it was as a result of the challenges that they were inaugurating the Joint Steering Committee on National Housing Data.

‘The Committee has been established as a strategic partnership among key stakeholders in Nigeria’s housing market.

‘The mandate is to develop and implement a blueprint for ensuring transparency a
nd ease of access to housing data in Nigeria.

‘It will be essential for policy and decision-making towards affordable housing and the well-being of Nigerians,’he said

Dangiwa said that key deliverables of the committee would be to develop the framework and modalities for setting up the National Housing Data Centre (NHDC).

He said that the committee would cover technical requirements, specifications, including transactional and legal documentation

‘It will also create a framework for data gathering channels from public and private institutions.

‘It will design a framework for distributing housing data to institutional and retail investors in the Nigerian financial market, ‘ he said.

The minister said that the committee would develop a framework for data distribution to all participants in the housing market and establish the framework and timelines for setting up a mortgage exchange.

Mr Kehinde Ogundimu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company (NMRC), pledged t
he commitment of the committee to deliver on the mandate.

‘We will work together and put forth something that will be credible, reliable, and that people can use to make informed decisions,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that membership of the committee includes a representative from Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to serve as the Chairman

Others are representatives from National Population Commission, National Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank of Nigeria, NMRC, and Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

Also included are Federal Housing Authority, Family Homes Funds Limited, Mortgage Bankers Association of Nigeria, Housing Development Association of Nigeria, among others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has sought for technical assistance from Australia, Belgium and Canada to deepen Nigeria’s extractive industry reforms.

The reform programme is designed to deal with challenges of corruption, oil theft, illegal mining, stealing of minerals, pipeline vandalisation and associated governance challenges.

Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of the NEITI, made the call during a courtesy visit by the Belgian Ambassador and High Commissioners of Australia and Canada to NEITI House, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visiting diplomats include the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Leilani Bin-Juda, Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt and Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jamie Christoff.

The visit focuses on engendering partnership and exploring ways to deepen engagement.

Orji therefore called for collaboration on anti-corruption and natural resource governance, capacity bui
lding, diplomatic support and engagement, information, data and knowledge sharing.

‘As supporting member countries to the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), your visit is an opportunity to seek and domesticate technical support of your respective countries to the EITI.

‘This will connect directly with Nigerian citizens who earnestly desire that the abundant natural resources in this country works for the benefit of all, not just a few,’ he said.

According to Orji, NEITI’s legitimate interest is to save Nigeria from continuing loss of revenues and investment opportunities in the sector.

He said that NEITI’s industry reports and recommendations over the years supported local and global partnerships as well as collaboration to address the challenges.

Orji said that such partnership between NEITI and the countries would provide the opportunity and linkage given its in-depth exposure to the issues and challenges at the grassroots.

He described the visit as a huge encouragement to NE
ITI, and an endorsement of its strong international affiliation and partnership with 57 other resource-rich countries under the global EITI.

He said the fully automated NEITI Data Centre was completed, and awaiting unveiling, adding that the centre has been adjudged as the first of its kind among the 57 EITI-implementing countries.

‘It is a one-stop shop for information and data on Nigeria’s extractive sector (consisting of oil, gas and solid minerals)’.

Amb. Sunday Adoli, Member, NEITI, National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), North Central Representative, lauded the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and partners that encouraged more cooperation to boost activities in extractive industries.

In his remarks, Leenknegt pledged more support to the global EITI and NEITI in fostering transparency, accountability and good governance.

Also, Christoff expressed satisfaction with the NEITI’s activities, lauded its data centre, and emphasised the need for data to achieve transparency, public enlightenment
and good governance between all tiers of governments.

On partnership, Christoff said the Canadian government had an existing partnership with Nigeria on anti corruption, adding that it would be sustained.

While Bin-Juda commended NEITI over the production of policy reports for information and contextual balance, thereby endorsing partnership on information and knowledge sharing.

Highlights of the visit are a facility tour of the new NIETI Data Centre and the presentation of plagues to the dignitaries by the NEITI boss.

The centre will also serve as a reservoir for all information and data published in the various NEITI Annual Industry Reports since the first edition in 2004 till date.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), has called for a global action against increasing abduction and violence against medical professionals in the country.

National President of the association, Prof. Rosemary Ogu, who made the call at a news conference in Port Harcourt, said there was urgent need to end the crime of abduction of health workers across the country.

She frowned at the alarming trend of kidnappers targeting medical practitioners, who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Ogu cited the recent abduction of Dr Ekanem Philips in Calabar over a year ago, Dr Ganiyat Popoola, kidnapped on Dec. 2 in Kaduna, as examples of this troubling issue.

‘More tragic is the recent abduction of 20 medical students and a house officer while travelling to Enugu through Otukpo LGA in Benue.

‘This is not just a violation of their rights, but an affront to the entire medical profession and the nation at large,’ a teary Ogu said.

The MWAN president questioned why health workers, who are not wealthy
and spend their time caring for others, had become targets for criminals.

‘Our colleagues spend countless hours in hospitals, clinics, and communities, providing care, comfort and healing to those in need.

‘The kidnapping of healthcare professionals is a grave injustice that undermines the essential role they play in society.

‘This situation is unacceptable, and we will not stand by in silence while our colleagues are subjected to such terror,’ she lamented.

Ogu urged President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to address the underlying security issues that had made health workers vulnerable to abductions.

She emphasised the urgent need for the safety of healthcare workers, who are often overworked, underpaid, overlooked and now live in constant fear.

‘Governments at all levels and security agencies must take immediate and decisive action to secure the safe release of our colleagues.

‘We demand that every resource be mobilised, and all avenues explored to bring them home safely,’ she pleaded.

Og
u said that in spite of multiple letters to security agencies and the Federal Government regarding this escalating crisis, the kidnapping of healthcare workers had continued.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it is intensifying its partnership with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to tackle Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) across the 36 states and the FCT.

The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Malam Shehu Mohammed, said this when he led his management team on a courtesy visit to NAN headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mohammed said that the aim of the visit was to harness the existing collaboration between the two agencies for effective road traffic management across the country.

He said that the partnership also aimed to leverage NAN’s wide reach to educate and enlighten the public on road safety measures, thereby reducing the incidence of RTCs.

He also said that the target was to reduce road crash to the barest minimum in the country while urging the agency to support the Corps in that direction.

The FRSC boss noted that in spite of a 12.5 per cent reduction in road crashes in the first half of 2023, with over 5,000 RTCs, 16,000 injuries, and close to 3,000 deaths, there was a need
to shift emphasis from drivers to commuters.

He commended NAN’s wide reach and influence, saying that partnering with the agency would amplify the FRSC’s public enlightenment and education efforts.

‘We have realised that commuters have a crucial role to play in reducing road crashes. They should have a say in who drives them and ensure that drivers adhere to safety measures.

‘With this, we felt the emphasis should not just be on drivers and we should also go to commuters to assist us. Passengers much have a say on who drives them and who controls them to reach their destination.

‘We believe that, if we include commuters in our crusade, sensitisation, enlightenment and education together with NAN, the whole country have the news already.

‘ And that is why we are here to collaborate so that together, we can be able to reduce RTCs and the attendant fatalities that is claiming the lives and property of the citizens of Nigeria,’ he said.

The FRSC Corps Marshal further expressed confidence that the collaborat
ion would yield positive results, stressing that the FRSC does not need to engage other media outlets if it had NAN’s support.

Speaking further, the FRSC boss announced that the Corps would be launching a phone application that would show black spots and alert crash portions while travelling on highways on Sept. 5.

Mohammed said the phone application would be a one-stop shop where all FRSC products and directives could easily be accessed.

‘The app will show and give significant information about road black spots, and alert of any crash spot ahead while travelling.

‘The app system will inform and remind the users of due dates to renew their driver’s licence, service their vehicles and other notable information,’ he said.

Responding, NAN Managing Director, Mr Ali Muhammed Ali congratulated Mohammed on his well deserved appointment as the Corps Marshal of the FRSC.

Ali assured that NAN would utilise its media platforms to promote road safety awareness, stressing that the agency was committed to supporting
the FRSC’s efforts to save lives and property on Nigerian roads.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to reporting Africa and Nigeria to the rest of the world, adding that NAN was the largest news agency on the continent.

‘We have offices in all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and foreign offices and we are working to re-establish NAN presence especially in Europe.

‘We pride ourselves on being the premier news source on Nigeria, and by extension, Africa. When you engage with NAN, you reach the entire nation,’ he said.

‘NAN and FRSC have enjoyed a long-standing and fruitful partnership over the years. We appreciate the fact that your radio content sources news from NAN, and we thank you for your patronage.

‘As you assume leadership, we look forward to an even stronger collaboration, hoping that our relationship will accelerate to greater heights, but with caution and safety, just as you would advise against reckless driving,’ he said.

The NAN MD disclosed plans to launch vernacular news websit
es in Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba languages to take news to the grassroots and cater to the diverse linguistic needs of Nigerians.

‘This initiative is part of our efforts to democratise access to information, especially in the digital era, where internet penetration is high.

‘Our vernacular sites will go live soon, ensuring that people at the bottom of the social ladder receive news in their preferred language,’ he said.

NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu recently approved the appointment of Mohammed as the new FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer.

Mohammed was appointed as the 8th Corps Marshal, 3rd to be appointed from the rank and first to be appointed from Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The U.S. government said on Wednesday that it would work closely with Nigeria to lead a conversation on the implementation of a Chemical Weapons Convention for ECOWAS.

Mallory Stewart, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability (ADS), said this during a media roundtable with select journalists in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Stewart, who is currently in Nigeria for the discussion, held the roundtable with the journalists to explain the purpose of her visit after meeting with Federal Government and ECOWAS officials.

‘One of the other conversations we had was our upcoming partnership with the Nigerian government to lead a conversation for the sub-region on the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and understanding the challenges in that context.

‘(That is) so that you know the Nigerian voice in explaining sometimes the concerns with respect to non-state actors; with respect to chemical security.

‘How they can be important in th
e sub-region and how as a region – if ECOWAS member states can also work towards implementing some of these international conventions, it can be more stabilising,’ she said.

Stewart said she also had engagements with officials over the serious security challenges in the Gulf of Guinea and how the U.S. could contribute to the Yaounde Architecture group’s efforts there.

She added that she explored the possibility of the U.S. providing additional capacities, communication mechanisms, and better standard operating procedures for diverse players working through an appreciation for Nigeria’s role.

‘We’re working through an appreciation for the maritime centres that are based here to see if we can facilitate a better appreciation of more effective teamwork.

‘We really hope to enable the capacity and enable the communication that Nigeria would bring into broader conversations, both sub-regionally and domestically,’ she said.

Responding to ECOWAS’ formation of a sub-regional standby force, and how the U.S. is key
ing into it, the envoy gave an assurance that the experts on the issue at the embassy would follow up on that.

‘I met with representatives from ECOWAS, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from the Ministry of Defense.

‘I look forward to meeting with the National Security Adviser later today. I met with civil society right before this (roundtable) to hear a lot of the challenges that are swirling around the sub-region.

‘We focused more specifically on understanding the maritime security arena in the Gulf of Guinea and understanding how both Nigeria, specifically, and also ECOWAS, more generally, are approaching those challenges,’ she said.

‘So, we’re working with Nigeria, especially in the context of the international arena, such as the Chemical Weapons Convention, where Nigeria is a member of the Executive Council.

‘We’re working with Nigeria to understand the angles that are important from a non-aligned country to appreciate when going into the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty conversations at the mul
tilateral level,’ Stewart added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria