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Rural Infrastructure: Wike flags off construction of 15 kilometre road in Kwali Area Council
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said that the provision of rural infrastructure will bridge the disconnect between the Abuja city centre and the FCT Area Councils and also discourage rural urban migration.
The FCT Minister said this during the flag-off of the construction of the 15-kilometer A2 to Pai road project linking the Abuja-Lokoja expressway to the Pai Community in Kwali Area Council.
Wike observed that the disconnect between the Abuja Lokoja Expressway and the Pai Community was due to the absence of good motorable road, and said the award and construction of the A2 to Pai road project, will enhance the living condition of the people within the community as well as improve the security situation in the area.
He said the road project would be completed by May next year and expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor to deliver the project within the stipulated timeframe, even as he assured them of adequate funding.
Recounting the events that led to the flag off exercise, the Minister said, “Some few months ago when we came here to flag off the Pai to Gomani road and on our way going to that place, I was asking questions, what happened here. Why is there no road. How do you get to that area. The people going to that area must pass through this place?
“And we did say that we will come and flag off this road so that as the contractor is working from Pai to Gomani, then this people will work from A2 to Pai. If you add the 15-kilometer to the almost 18-kilometer from Pai to Gomani, you are talking about over 30 kilometers.
“You can imagine what the people here will benefit. You are talking about insecurity. Why will you not have insecurity when there are no access roads”.
He acknowledged the synergy between the FCT Administration and the Area Council Chairmen, as well as the traditional rulers, saying it has brought about the accelerated development of the FCT Area Councils. He also stressed the commitment of the FCTA to the provision good governance in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Barr. Wike said, “We believe in the Renewed Hope Agenda, what the President is doing through us is to connect the satellite towns to the main city so that you don’t have to say let me go and stay in the city. By the time we provide water to the satellite towns and good roads, then you will have the positive impact of governance.
“I believe by the time we put solar light on this road, it will look like the city. Be assured that under Mr. President’s tenure, every promise we have made, every project we have started, we will complete all of them. We are not going to abandon any project”.
While reiterating that all the projects undertaken by the FCT Administration were duly provided for in the budget of the FCT, Barr. Wike assured that every aspect of the projects would be fully implemented and thanked the National assembly for their continued support to the FCTA.
Giving an overview of the A2 to Pai road project, the Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said it will be provided with all the facilities of a well-designed road, including streetlights and drainages, adding that its completion will enhance smooth and free access from the A2 to Pai, down to Gomani communities.
In his remarks, the MD, Zeberced Group Ltd – contractors handling the project, Aiden Adil Kurt, committed to the timely delivery of the road project while assuring that the highest quality and standard would be adhered to. He thanked the FCT Minister for the confidence reposed in his company and pledged to also carry along members of the community during the course of the road construction.
On his part, the Chairman, Kwali Area Council, Hon. Danladi Chiya also thanked the FCT Minister for the provision of infrastructure in the entire FCT Area Councils.
The traditional ruler, Etsu Kwali, HRH Luka Ayedo Nizasaan, while making his remarks, presented a symbolic letter of indigene of Kwali to the FCT Minister, which he says signifies the adoption of the Minister as a son of Kwali, with the name, Shagasa, which he said means, ‘Heavens share opportunities’, in appreciation of the Minister’s developmental efforts in the Area Council.
News
Reports of Justice Agim accompanying Wike to UNICAL convocation false, misleading Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has denied that one of its justices, Justice Emmanuel Agim accompanies the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to the convocation at the University of Calabar in the South South Nigeria.
The denial came amid suspicion that Justice Agim who wrote a judgment of the Supreme Court in favour of the 27 lawmakers in Rivers State is close to Wike, hence, his presence around Wike has triggered speculations.
Wike is the former governor of Rivers State and a current of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who controls lawmakers in Rivers.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Supreme Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Festus Akande, he refuted the claims, saying Agim attended the event on his own.
The statement described the rumour as misleading, insisting that Justice Agim attended the event as a honoree, urging Nigerians to disregard the social media lies.
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“Hon. Justice Agim attended the convocation as an esteemed honouree and an alumnus of the institution, who the Governing Council had found worthy to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Doctor Honoris Causa),” the statement read.
“That Justice Agim was recognized for his significant contributions to the legal profession, which reflect his dedication to justice, integrity, and the rule of law.
Naija News reports that the statement highlighted that Justice Agim’s achievements serve as an inspiration for aspiring legal professionals and students alike.
The statement also addressed the claim that Justice Agim had attended the convocation ceremony in the company of Nyesom Wike.
It stressed that this was a false narrative, stating that Justice Agim’s attendance was independent of any government ministry or department and that he was not accompanying any government official.
“Any insinuation to the contrary is not only inaccurate but undermines the judicial independence that is crucial to our democracy,” the Supreme Court emphasized.
Additionally, the statement noted that Justice Agim had been scheduled to attend the burial ceremony of Hon. Justice Stanley Alagoa in Bayelsa State but had sought permission to attend the convocation ceremony instead.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court urged the media and the public to verify information through credible sources before dissemination.
“We encourage the public and media to verify information through credible sources before sharing or publishing to prevent the spread of misinformation,” the statement concluded.
News
State of Emergency in Rivers: $5,000 shared to Reps as ‘Sallah gesture,’ not bribe – Hon. Betara
Member representing Biu/Bayo/Shania/Kwaya/Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno State, Hon. Mukhtar Aliyu Betara has disclosed that he shared $5,000 with members of his committee as a “Sallah gesture”.
Betara who is the Reps Committee Chairman on FCT said the money was not a bribe to pass resolution declaring a state of emergency in Rivers as being insinuated.
The was posted by a Nigerian investigative journalist, Jaafar Jaafar on his X handle.
Jaafar said Betara explained this to him after the lawmaker reached out to clarify that the $5,000 given to lawmakers was merely a “Sallah gesture” and not an inducement.
He quoted Batara to have said the gesture was a long standing g tradition and has nothing to do with the state of emergency I Rivers.
Jaafar wrote:
“The chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has clarified to me that he only shared $5,000 with each member of his committee as a ‘Sallah gesture,’ not as an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State.
“According to him, he maintains the tradition—like Santa Claus—every year.
“As we say in Hausa, not thigh but hind leg.”
The clarification by Betara came amid strong speculations that Senators received $15,000 bribe to pass a resolution to sustain declaration of state of emergency rule in Rivers.
The bribe was reportedly shared on Tuesday before they voted on Wednesday.
News
INEC holds crucial meeting to look into petition recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Senate
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proceeded into a crucial meeting to study and look into a petition submitted to it by constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
CAPITAL POST gathered, it a top management meeting as it was claimed that over 250,000 constituents signed the petition out of 480,000 registered voters.
The meeting was confirmed on Monday by the Acting
Director of Publicity, Esther Chibuikem, stating that the meeting held at a committee room at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
It was also confirmed that the Secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, on received the petition against Natasha on Monday.
The petition follwed the nod given by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja on Friday where the earlier judgement restraining INEC from accepting the petition was set asid3.
Last week, constituents from Kogi Central were said to have i initiated a recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, but some constituents claimed that they were d3ceived into exercise as they were told to gather with their voters card for 3 powerment.
However, the Court, in a judgement delivered in Lokoja, affirmed that the recall process is constitutionally valid and aligns with the civic rights of the constituents.
The court urged the constituents to continue exercising their rights in an orderly and peaceful manner.
The development was after the court on Thursday granted an interim injunction restraining INEC, its staff, agents, privies or assigns from receiving, accepting or acting on any petition containing signatures of members of Kogi Central Senatorial District.
As at press time, INEC hasn’t release information on the next action as signatures may have to be critically compared with its register to determine validity.
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