The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, March 12, 2024, conducted an extensive inspection tour of some major infrastructure projects slated for commissioning in May, to coincide with the second anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

The projects include the construction of the 15-kilometer Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring Road 1 (RR1) to Wasa junction, the Life Camp to Karmo dual carriageway, and the comprehensive renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC).

Following the tour, the Minister expressed profound satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on the projects. He conveyed confidence in the contractors, to deliver high-quality jobs within the agreed timelines. “I can tell you I’m very pleased with the quality of work going on by the contractors…the contractors are very reputable, Julius Berger, CGC and others. So, I’m very happy with what we have seen,” the Minister stated.

Turning his attention to the ongoing renovation of the ICC, the Minister recalled the vision behind its establishment, as recently highlighted by former President, General Ibrahim Babangida, in his memoirs noting that the aim of constructing the ICC was to create a world-class venue for international conferences and meetings. He lamented the deterioration of the ICC under private concession.

However, the Minister expressed delight at the significant progress now being made in its rehabilitation. “This is at the cost of N39 billion that we are spending and all the materials are on ground. So, I can say that they are 70 percent (complete) and they have assured that they will complete it and handover by May,” he said.

The Minister emphasized that the ICC, upon completion, will be a source of national pride. He also used the opportunity to call for the continued support of FCT residents, including traditional rulers and youths, for the government’s efforts to deliver impactful projects. “We are not here to bring hardship on anybody but to improve our lives. I know how difficult it is but again everybody has to make sacrifices.

“We are pleading with residents to cooperate with the various contractors that are building road projects so that we can have it completed on time. When the rains come now, it will be a problem and they will begin to say it’s because of the rainy season. Now that we have good weather, let them utilize it for the benefit of the public. So, I still implore the traditional rulers, youths, chiefs, everybody to support what we are doing,” the Minister stressed.

In a similar vein, the Minister expressed deep concern over attempts by some indigenous inhabitants to sabotage the developmental efforts of government in the FCT over the issues of compensation and relocation.

Speaking during his monthly media chat, which also held on Wednesday, the Minister said compensations have been made several years ago by the Federal government to the original inhabitants of communities in the FCT, while the process of relocating them was also ongoing. He condemned attempts to disrupt the developments efforts of government.

The Minister regretted that some of the people who have already been compensated were still demanding further compensation from the government, adding that the government will only pay what is appropriate.

On complaints about the adequacy of compensation, the Minister clarified that “the FCTA has tried to give a human face to its relocation exercises and has in some cases, doubled the amount originally provided by law for compensation.

He said, “Compensations have been made several years ago, I can tell you that. For example, where I live near Kpaduma, in Asokoro, compensation has been given to them more than 20 years ago.

“But the government has not been able to move them out. We are now saying we want to develop this area. They’ve come back to say they want compensation. But compensation has been paid years ago. There is nothing you do that people will not complain”.

Speaking on the structures recently demolished along road corridors in the FCT, the Minister said they were removed to pave way for road projects in the interest of the public, adding that the government has also offered to compensate and relocate the affected residents. He frowned at the demands for construction of alternative houses by the original inhabitants.

The Minister clarified that the FCT Administration will only construct houses for the residents when an entire community is being acquired by government, not when a few houses on the road corridor were being removed. “The point we are making, if we are coming to a community to say let the entire community relocate, then you talk about building houses for them, not road corridor where 20 houses are affected”, the Minister stressed.

Speaking on efforts to improve public transportation in the FCT, the Minister announced plans to “partner with the private sector to provide a safe and efficient transportation system in the FCT, and highlighted the construction of bus terminals in various parts of Abuja as part of ongoing efforts.

“One of the reasons why we are doing bus terminals is to have a new strategy for public transportation. So, we are going to partner with some private persons who are committed to public transportation. All we are doing is to provide infrastructure to enable the private sector to participate effectively”, the Minister said.

Regarding youth empowerment, Barr Wike expressed disappointment at the attitude of youths to empowerment programmes of government. The FCT Minister said he was “reliably informed that the vehicles procured for youth empowerment in the FCT have been sold off by the beneficiaries, as against the original purpose.

He said, “You remember we tried to empower the youths by giving them vehicles. I tell people, all these theories about youth empowerment, nobody has asked, are the youths willing to work? It’s not about government bringing policies to help you.

“We bought vehicles, have you seen any of the vehicles on the road? They’ve sold them. We are trying to empower you to own a business and you are sabotaging it.

The Minister however expressed confidence that his recent investment driven trip to Italy where he interacted with the Lombardy Regional President, Attilo Fontana, alongside key agribusiness and vocational education investors, will provide further opportunities for the youths to be trained to become meaningfully engaged.

He said, “I’m very happy that it’s one of the trips that yielded results. The Mandate Secretary of Education and Mandate Secretary of Agriculture were part of the delegation, so they are working at the details now with the officials of Lombardy. I feel so happy that our youths will now have several areas where they can be trained and then try to be self-employed. I believe in the next one week, they would have finished all the documentations and then we will be able to send the first set of our youths to Lombardy for training”.

Giving insight into planned engagements in the FCT for the May 29 celebration, the Minister assured that key projects in both the city centre and satellite towns have been scheduled for commissioning to commemorate the event.

The Minister also spoke extensively on political developments in Rivers State during the media parley.

The trial of 20 ex-leaders of Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG on Wednesday in Abuja stalled due to absence of the 19th defendant, Adamu Ibrahim who was said to be in detention in Calabar Correctional Centre.

The ex-leaders of the union, including a one-time PTD National Chairman, Lucky Osesua, are standing trial through a suit, marked: FCT/HC/CR/042/2023, before Justice Yusuf Halilu, sitting at Maitama, Abuja, on a five-count charge bordering on attempted murder, breach of peace and assault.

The defendants were alleged to have attacked the NUPENG National President, Mr Wiliams Akporeha; the Union’s Secretary-General, Olawale Afolabi and the new PTD National Chairman, Augustine Egbon, thus acting in a manner likely to cause their death, among others allegations against them.

Wednesday’s Court sitting was the second time this year, the trial of 20 former leaders of Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD branch of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is taking place.

Also charged with Osesua are Dayyabu Garga; Humble Obinna; Akinolu Olabisi; Godwin Nwaka; Tiamiu Sikiru; Abdulmimin Shaibu and John Amajuoyi.

Others are Adamu Ibrahim; Zaira Aregbo; Patrick Erhivwor; Stephen Ogheneruemu; Gift Ukponku and Sunday Ezeocha and seven others.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed hearing in the case today, the prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, informed the court that one of the defendants, Adamu Ibrahim, was not present in court.

The lead counsel for all the defendants, Christopher Oshemegie SAN, informed the court that Ibrahim was in custody at the correctional facility in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The senior counsel said he was told that the 19th defendant had domestic issue due to ignorance of the environment, adding that Ibrahim’s bail was being sorted out in Calabar.

Responding to this, the prosecutor said there was a report that Ibrahim committed an offence in Calabar.

According to Kaswe, Ibrahim was said to have pregnated his teenage daughter, which was the main reason he (Ibrahim) was in custody

Kaswe then told the court that the prosecution was ready to go on with the trial in the absence of the 19th defendant and urged the court to activate the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015 to proceed with the case in Ibrahim’s absence.

Justice Halilu, however, said that the court noted that at the last sitting, Ibrahim was present in court, adding that the court was hearing for the first time about his (Ibrahim’s) alleged offence in Calabar.

The judge added that in the interest of justice, the 19th defendant should be given one last chance to appear before the court for the trial, failure of which the court proceed with the matter in his absence.

Based on agreement of parties, Justice Halilu subsequently adjourned the case to May 19 for definite hearing.

On January 27, when the matter came up last, the absence of the second prosecution witness (PW2), Williams Akporeha, who is NUPENG President, stalled hearing. He was said to have been out of the country was unable to be in court as a result of his flight delay due to bad weather.

Akporeha had on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 while testifying against the defendants narrated before the court how attempts were made on his life and those of Afolabi and Egbon on November 1, 2023, declaring that he was afraid for his life.

According to him, while he narrowly escaped being lynched by the defendants, both Afolabi and Egbon were not that lucky as they were thoroughly dealt with by the defendants before the arrival of policemen from Utako Police Station.

By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh

In a bold step towards unlocking Kogi State’s vast potential, the Executive Chairman of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Sule Salihu Enehe, has today unveiled the implementation of the Land Use Charge Law, 2024. This groundbreaking initiative is poised to revolutionize the state’s revenue generation, paving the way for sustainable development and a brighter future for all Kogites.

According to Enehe, the Land Use Charge is not just a levy, but a strategic investment to enhance better infrastructure, improved public services, and a greater future for all residents . This legislation he said, is a crucial step towards enhancing revenue generation for governments, fostering data-driven decision-making, and creating jobs in Kogi State.

According to him, the event marks a pivotal step in strengthening the revenue base for sustainable development.

Enehe further revealed that the ongoing tax reforms aim to streamline revenue collection, promote transparency, and ensure that all stakeholders contribute their fair share towards the state’s development. By embracing the Land Use Charge, Kogites will be empowering the government to deliver more impactful projects that will benefit businesses, communities, and future generations.

In his words , “The Land Use Charge is not just a levy, it is an investment to better infrastructure, improved public services. and a greater future for all Kogi residents.

“This legislation is a crucial step towards enhancing revenue generation for our governments, fostering data-driven decision-making, and paving the way for the development of smart cities and job creation in Kogi State.

“The implementation of this law will yield numerous benefits for our stakeholders and for the state at large even as I urge you all to join forces with us to make this initiative a resounding success

“A well-structured revenue system is the foundation of good governance. By embracing the Land Use Charge, you are helping to empower the government to deliver more impactful projects that will benefit businesses, communities, and future generations.”

“Together, we can unlock Kogi State’s vast potential and create a brighter future for our citizens.

“With the successful launch of the Land Use Charge Demand Notice today, we are reaffirming our commitment to accountability, transparency, and efficiency in revenue administration. Together, we will build a more prosperous Kogi State.

“As we move forward, I crave your patience and understanding as we make a practical demonstration of how assessments will be raised” he said

As the state begins to reap the benefits of this initiative, it is essential for all stakeholders to join forces and support the successful implementation of the Land Use Charge Law. Together, we can unlock Kogi State’s vast potential and create a more prosperous future for our citizens.

With the successful launch of the Land Use Charge Demand Notice, the state government reaffirms its commitment to accountability, transparency, and efficiency in revenue administration.