By Wumi Tewogbade,, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at the weekend, ordered the arrest of a suspected land grabber and the demolition of buildings illegally erected on plots originally allocated to foreign missions in the diplomatic zone of Katampe Extension, Abuja.

The affected land, situated within the Diplomatic Zone in Katampe Extension of the Federal Capital Territory, was allocated on March 18, 2008, to 10 diplomatic missions for residential purposes. A section of the land was also reserved for the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria for the construction of a 132/133KV power station.

The FCT Minister gave the direction when he spoke to the media during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja,

Wike who was angry said it was discovered that an individual had unlawfully taken over the land and commenced construction without the approval of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

He said the Department of Development Control had been directed to immediately remove all illegal structures on the site.

Wike said, “This land was allocated to various embassies. Somebody just came here, took the land and started developing it on his own without approval from the FCDA. We cannot allow this kind of land invasion to continue,”

According to the minister, the affected plots were originally allocated to diplomatic missions, including those of Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Wike also confirmed that the suspected developer, Alhaji Kabiru Sahara, had been arrested and would be prosecuted after ongoing police investigations.
“The man has been arrested and he will be charged to court. The police are carrying out their investigations and he will be charged to court any moment from now,” the minister said.

Among the inspected infrastructure projects included the redesigned Abuja City Gate, the road linking Bill Clinton Drive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to the Tungan-Madaki community—now scheduled for extension to Zuba—and the road connecting Baze University, Body of Benchers, Nile University, and the Wupa Light Rail Station in the Idu area of Abuja.

He also inspected the construction of an Office Annex for the Body of Benchers.
Wike said many of the projects, being executed by firms such as Julius Berger Nigeria, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Levant Construction, would be completed in time for inauguration during the third anniversary of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the minister, the infrastructure projects form part of efforts by the FCT Administration to open up new communities and improve connectivity across the capital city.

He noted that residents of areas such as Tungan-Madaki had welcomed the projects, which they believe would improve access to the city and stimulate development in surrounding communities.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, said his administration is determined to provide infrastructure to open a new district, (Waru Pozema), in the shortest possible time.

Wike stated this after he inspectedi several ongoing projects across the Federal Capital Territory.

He added that he has been able to achieve so much in infrastructure development in FCT because of Mr. President’s support.

He said the administration would work with relevant agencies to see the possibility of providing basic infrastructure in the district, located in Cadastral Zone D16.

According to him, the FCT Administration will consult with the Federal Capital Development Authority and other relevant departments to determine the next steps, including whether the project is captured in the 2026 budget. “About the new district of Waru-Pozema in Cadastral Zone D16, we have to find out from the FCDA or the coordinator what they have in mind, whether it is in the 2026 budget,” he said. “Don’t worry, we will do everything we can to provide the needed infrastructure and open up the district so that people can move in.”

The minister also expressed satisfaction with the level of work on various judicial infrastructure projects inspected during the tour. He noted that the contractors handling the Court of Appeal complex assured that the project would be completed by May. He added that the judges’ quarters, including the Federal High Court section, had already been furnished.

Wike explained that the project comprises 10 duplexes for the Federal High Court, 20 duplexes for the FCT High Court and another 10 duplexes for the Court of Appeal, adding that the facilities would be inaugurated during the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in office.

The minister also inspected a major road project in Katampe, which he described as functioning like a ring road, and commended the contractor for the pace and quality of work. He praised construction firm China Geo‑Engineering Corporation, saying it was one of the companies whose commitments could be trusted. “It’s one of those companies—when they give you their word, you can go to the bank with it,” he said, expressing satisfaction with the level of supervision by the FCT Administration.

Speaking on his motivation for regularly inspecting projects, Wike said his commitment was driven by service and the confidence reposed in him by President Tinubu. “For the President to have confidence in you and give you an assignment, you have no choice but to be committed to the job,” he said.

On national politics, the minister called for unity within the Peoples Democratic Party, saying reconciliation within the party must come first before discussions about future electoral strategies. He expressed optimism that the party could remain competitive if members remained sincere in their reconciliation efforts, adding that attention was currently focused on the party’s forthcoming convention.

By Wumi Tewogbade, buja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, advised the newly elected Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Danladi Samuel Shekwolo, not to run away from listening to his people, because when he was campaigning, he was always at home.

Wike stated this when he paid a thank you visit to the residents of the area council, Abuja.
The FCT Minister said, power and money are two very important things that he must consider, after he is sworn into the office.
He added that though people demands a lots but he should not abandon his people because of this but rather he should do his best.

Wike threaten that if Samuel, as Chairman of Kuje Area council is an away chairman, will be in trouble, because he will let h people know that they have made a mistake.
He noted that he was very, very proud when they declared the Kuje result.

According to Wike, “Now, Samuel, let me tell you now, you know, yes, he is humble, but he has not entered office. It’s only when you enter office we see the humility. You know, when a man has not seen power, a man has not seen money, you cannot determine whether he will be humble or he will not be humble. Do you understand me? Because these two factors are very serious factors that can change a man, can change a woman, within a second. You don’t know what it takes when he has security following him. You don’t know what it means when he is sitting in his office and there are so many people looking for him. You say, “I am not ready now.”

“So, power and money are two very important things that you must consider. I pray and I do believe that you will not abandon your people. I know that people demand a lot, but do the best you can. Don’t be a chairman that is an away chairman. Be a chairman that is a home chairman. Don’t run away from listening to your people. Because when you were campaigning, you were always at home. Now that the results are strong, don’t be an away chairman”.

Wike warned, “And I know, working with me, if you are an away chairman, you will be in trouble. Because I will let your people know that we have made a mistake. But I don’t think we made a mistake. Continue with the way you are going. God who has brought you this far will make sure you complete very well.

“Most people do not know that being a chairman of council is what will elevate you tomorrow, is what can bring you down. You know, it is the government that is closer to the people. So when you don’t do well, you will see what the people will say about you.

“We were lucky. I was chairman in 1999, became chairman again, became chief of staff, became minister of state, became governor, now became FCT minister. I can tell you that it is not that I am the most hardworking person, but somehow, with the blessings of God and your sincerity to people, it matters a lot.
“So I believe you have this at the back of your mind, that you will not end up only being chairman of Kuje Area Council”.

He noted, “Remember one thing in life is when people have done you good, you go back and tell them thank you. Thank you in the sense that if they said they will not do it, you will not kill them. But having decided to listen to you and have agreed to work for you, I don’t think there’s anything difficult in you going back to tell them thank you.

“And that is why Mr. President has directed me not to take your support for granted, but instead to make sure we go back to all the area councils, to all the areas, to tell the traditional rulers, to tell the leaders of those areas that he appreciates you, that he asks you to vote for candidates who will support him or who are supporting him and you did not hesitate, you voted for them”.

He therefore assured Kuje residents that the ongoing constructions Kuje-Gwagalada and Kuje-Airport roads would be inaugurated during the 3rd anniversary celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
He stressed, “We have tried to change that narrative that politics is all about you. Politics is all about you getting the best. Politics is all about you making sure that your lives improve. Whether everybody likes it or not, Mr. President has shown that indeed he cares, and we could not care for the good people of Kuje.

Responding to the requests of the chairman -elect he said, “So you have mentioned two or three roads. Let me tell you, by the time your chairman is sworn in, by June this year . I don’t want to swear them in now, by the time they are sworn in, I will call him, I will call the traditional rulers, we will see them, which one they will start first”.

Earlier the Chairman elect for Kuje Area Council, Danladi Samuel Shekwolo, urged the Minister to look at constructions of three roads that would grow the economy of the council, these roads include, kuje-Gwagwa, Kuje-Pegi and Kuje – Rubochi.

“My appeal to you, please, sir, that you should look into this, especially we have three roads that will help us grow our economy in Kuje Area Council: from Gwagwa to Kuje, from Kuje to Rubochi, and also from Kuje to . Your Excellency, I know as a leader and as a father, you will do that for your son.son”

He used the opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, FCT Minister and all his supporters during the election, he therefore promised to do his best as Chairman of Kuje Area Council after they are sworn in.

‎”And I want to reassure you of our commitment, by the special grace of God, that we are going to work together with you, and of course, to stand on the mandate of our president, the Renewed Hope agenda, to make sure that we deliver dividends of democracy to our people in Kuje Area Council”, he assured.
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