A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has made a bold declaration, asserting that the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has exceeded the achievements of his predecessor in the position.
During a press conference held today at the NUJ Complex in Utako, the CSOs presented their assessment of the state of development within the FCT under Wike’s administration.
Comrade Friday Maduka, Coordinator, Center for Gender and Youth Civic Education and Rights in Africa, Chairman, and Hon Ibrahim Lawal, Coordinator Northern Unity Front, Director of Publicity, led the presentation, highlighting notable advancements made under Wike’s leadership.
According to the CSOs, the transformation of the FCT landscape into a massive construction site signifies a remarkable pace of development.
They emphasized that critical infrastructural projects are being completed expeditiously, surpassing the achievements of previous administrations within a short timeframe.
Enumerating specific achievements, the CSOs applauded Wike’s administration for rehabilitating over 135 intra-city roads, accelerating critical infrastructure projects, and constructing new roads across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
They also commended initiatives such as the exemption of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), revamping street lights and traffic lights, and recovery of illegally acquired land.
Furthermore, the CSOs lauded Wike’s implementation of the FCT Civil Service Commission Act of 2018, stressing that it has created opportunities for workers under the FCT administration to excel in their careers.
Successes in reducing insecurity, improving ease of doing business, and enhancing the cleanliness and beauty of Abuja were also highlighted.
The CSOs expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Wike as FCT Minister and pledged unwavering support for his transformative agenda.
They called for collaboration with anti-corruption agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in the administration of the FCT.
Part of the statement read: ”The few months of this current administration has witnessed steady growth in the Internally Generated Revenue and a reduction in linkages in the treasury.
”FCT has never had this visibility, audibility and impactful leadership since after the time of President Obasanjo and Nasir Elrufai as Minister of FCT.
”After less than one year in office, Abuja is already wearing a new look, a fresh atmosphere of orderliness, and verifiable developmental strides.
”We want to use this medium to call on the Honourable Minister of FCT to, as a matter of urgency, immediately collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to fish out those directors involved in land racketeering, Ministerial approval forgery and equally sanction them accordingly and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to book which will serve as a deterrent to others.
”As such, directors responsible for or collaborating in land racketeering and ministerial approval forgery should be suspended immediately. They are not worthy of serving in the Renewed Hope project.”
