By Wumi Tewogbade ABUJA

In recognition of his role in maintaining the sanity of the Abuja Masterplan, friends and associates of the recently retired Director of the, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration’s Department of Development Control, Town Planner Mukhtar Usman Galadima, gathered for a toast in his honour in Abuja.

At the event Saturday evening, many described Galadima as an “extraordinary” and “selfless” public service career spanning more than three decades, who achieved the feat even in challenging and often than not dangerous circumstances.

Former colleagues, family members and associates who took turns reflecting on Galadima’s years in the civil service.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, Director of the FCTA Department of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement and chair of the planning committee, described Galadima as a tireless leader who carried his team along at every stage.

“Galadima is the kind of leader who not only demands excellence but supports everyone around him to achieve it. He is a workaholic in the best sense of the word”,
Ahmadu said.

Similarly, Dr. Peter Olumuji, of the FCTA Security Department, said someone who has worked closely with Galadima, and has been at the centre of the storm with development control, said he earned all the accolades and recommendations, because his steadfast committment and teamwork while in service.

He however, noted that enforcement work is one of the most tedious and thankless jobs in the society.

He said: “Abuja is looking good because of the man we are celebrating today, and his shoe is so large that anybody that is going to step into it must be ready to give a lot of sacrifice and committment”.

Also speaking, Solomon Onojah, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and associate of the FCTA Minister, Nyesom Wike echoed the sentiment, praising Galadima’s temperament and discipline.

“He is humble, patient and always determined to get the job done,. In a system where it is easy to compromise, he stood firm”, he stated.

For Tpl Tom Edward, a senior staff member of the Development Control Department, said Galadima’s strength lay in his integrity, prudent and team spirit.

Edward said: “His work ethic is unmatched. He engages every member of the team and ensures no one is left behind.”

Comrade Ikharo Attah, a former SSA on Enforcement to the immediate past FCT Minister, also commended TPL Galadima, for serving diligently and upholding the integrity of Abuja’s Masterplan.

And true to his nature, Attah created a touching moment at the toast event, when
he invited Barrister Onoja to symbolically hand Galadima back to his wife, a heartfelt gesture that reminded everyone of the sacrifices families make to support leaders who give their all.

Responding, a visibly elated Galadima thanked the organisers and the FCTA management, attributing his successes to the cooperation he enjoyed from his colleagues over the years.

“Whatever I may have achieved was never mine alone—it was always the team”,he said.

He also recalled moments of personal risk while enforcing the Abuja Masterplan, noting that some operations placed him and his team in harm’s way.

He recalls: “There were days we nearly got killed. Development control is not just about demolitions; it’s about protecting the integrity of the city, and that sometimes comes with danger.”

Galadima urged younger staff to remain committed to duty and support whoever is appointed to lead them.

“If you want to succeed, support your leader and stay focused on the work”, he advised.

A brief citation of Galadima revealed that after joining the Federal Capital Development Authority in 1992, he rose through multiple roles before being appointed Director of Development Control, where he served until retirement.

As expected, the event closed with a toast celebrating not just his career but his personal example of discipline, fairness and resilience—qualities speakers said would remain a benchmark for public service in the FCT.

BY WUMI TEWOGBADE, ABUJA

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, decried the performance of waste contractors in Abuja.

Wike stated this when he met with the contractors in Abuja.

He appealed to them to put more efforts in the evacuation of the waste on the streets of Abuja.

He lamented the indiscriminate disposal of waste by street marketers and some residents, which he said is unacceptable.

The FCT Minister said it is unacceptable that the street sellers do not make use of waste disposable packages for easy clearance for disposable vehicles to be able to carry.

According to the minister, “I have gone round personally, I’m not well satisfied with the performance of the contractors involved in waste disposal. So, I have to give them another opportunity to interact with them today. So, they will know the seriousness we take that waste disposal.

“Of course, all over the world, waste disposal is one of the very difficult areas to tackle. But, we are here to solve problems. We are not here to give excuses or complaints.

” it’s a major, major, major, major project for us. So, it’s very important that people should know that”.

“Problems have been identified and solutions have been worked on. I told you I would personally go around to see for myself what is happening in Asokoro These challenges have been addressed by residents and stakeholders of Asokoro.

“Today, I will not waste too much time, though I may exaggerate a little, because we are in a political period where even when promises are made to develop the city, implementation can be tough. You understand how the environment operates. Even when you do your best, some will find shortcomings and say they are not satisfied. But that is not true everywhere.

“We must ensure that government authorities bring the right contractors to do their jobs. For example, when I visited Utako, I saw some issues with compliance that were not being addressed”, he noted.

By Wumi Tewogbade, ABUJA

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, said the ongoing road constructions from Kuje to Airport, and kuje to Gwagalada would boost the economic activities in the areas and would enhance the movement of people.

Wike stated this when he inspected the ongoing construction of the Airport Expressway to Kuje and Kuje to Gwagwalada Roads in Abuja.

He added that the road construction is very important to the administration and the residents in these areas as Gwagalada would be able to link up to Kuje and Airport without taking the Giri – Airport axis.

The FCT Minister therefore assured residents that he would ensure the roads are completed as scheduled.

Accordong to Wike, “The contractors are part of our work plan. If we keep to our own promise, obviously, too, 70% or 80% of the job will be completed. So, it’s our job to keep to the promises made by the parties. We will do our best to see that this road is completed within the scheduled time.

“They are very important roads. I mean, somebody from Kuje going to Gwagwalada does not need to pass through the airport road. Somebody from Kuje to Gwagwalada does not need to pass the airport again. All you need to take is from here, all the way to the city. These are two major projects, which will change the economic life, the economic activities of this area, and the FCT in general. We are very happy with what we are seeing”.

The FCT boss, commended the contractors for the quality and quantity of work done so far, and assured that, “Well, as concerns from Airport Road to Kuje, we are very impressed with the level of work and the quality of job being carried out by the company, Arab Contractors. They have promised to keep to their agreement, and by keeping to our agreement too, by the grace of God, June next year, they would have handed over that road. It is a very major milestone that it is completed.

“Remember, that the road was awarded before the COVID, sometimes in 2019. When we came on board, the contractor was not on site. And so, we had to see what we can do and during our interaction with stakeholders, one of the things they requested was that we should try and make the contractor come back. Today, we are happy with the level of work, and you can see the residents are also happy”.

On Kuje to Gwagalada, he said, “And here this year, from Kuje to Gwagwalada, the dualization was carried out by another contractor, which is Gilmore Engineering. Initially, from the Kuje Junction downwards, was done by Gilmore, and we felt that they should continue from where they stopped to Gwagwalada. And the work is going on very well”.

The minister also commended the people and residents of Kuje for all their support.