Abuja Cannot Be Business As Usual – Wike

The newly appointed Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike has assumed duty, with a pledge to sanitize and restore Abuja to be at par with other Capital cities of the world.

This was even as he promised to revoke abandoned uncompleted buildings and land that owners refused to pay ground rents.

He gave this assurance during a media conference in Abuja while rolling out the Short- term deliverables to achieve within the next six months of his Administration.

Addressing journalists in his office, Wike said he would prioritize the security of lives and property in the nation’s capital by providing the necessary logistics to all security agencies to do their work.

He assured that his administration would do everything within its power to clear illegal umbrella markets, shanties, houses in unauthorized places as well as indiscriminate motor parks.

“We are going to give a different narrative. we have the mandate of Mr president to renew hope- because most Nigerians have lost hope. It is not going to be business as usual. Now is the time to make FCT be like other Capital cities of the world. They have given us the matching order that we must bring FCT back to what it is supposed to be. And we have the capacity to do that. So, it’s not a joke as it is not going to be business as usual”.

“We are not going to tolerate the issue of everywhere is market, as it must be within the limit of the law. Yes I know that things are difficult, but it doesn’t also mean that you must cause crisis for other people.

“Those that the government has given Certificate of Ownership and allocated land to them, and refused to develop, but would rather become land speculators, the land is gone as I’m going to revoke them. I don’t understand how the government will give you land to develop, then you keep the land looking for the highest bidder, we will take back our land from you”.

He further warned all those in the business of stealing manholes as well as those distorting the ABUJA master plan to desist from such acts or face the law.

The newly appointed FCT Minister also urged okada riders to operate within their jurisdiction, even as he called on the FCTA Transportation Secretariat to be prepared to answer questions concerning the urban mass transit buses and the malfunctioning street lights around the territory.

He expressed optimism that his Administration would effect positive changes within the next six months.

Nyesom Wike is the 17th FCT Minister, while Dr Mariya Mahmud is the 12th Minister of State for FCT.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji