Illegal Operations: Again, FCTA Crushes 470 Motorcycles In Abuja

The Joint Task Force of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday crushed more than 470 motorcycles impounded for operating illegally in the capital city, Abuja. The motorcycles were impounded by the taskforce during an operation that began from the Carwash Bus Stop, Lugbe, through Gosa, Bill Clinton Drive, Trademore Estate, Lugbe Junction and Kubwa. Over 400 motorcycles were earlier impounded and crushed on Aug. 31, during a similar operation for the same offence. Mr Obokutom Nyah, Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, FCTA, told journalists during the exercise that the decision to crush the motorcycles was in line with the provisions of the law. Nyah warned commercial motorcyclists to limit their operations to designated areas, stay clear of the city centre and stop constituting a security threat in the city. He explained that there are areas designated for different kinds of vehicles, adding that commercial motorcycles are only allowed to operate in the suburbs. “So, we encourage the operators to respect their boundaries, because if you cross the line, you will face the full wrath of the law,” he said. Also, the Director, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Mr Abdulateef Bello, said that the number of motorcycles operating within the city was outrageous. Bello said that the taskforce would extend its operations to night hours, adding that currently, between 200 and 400 motorcycles are being impounded on weekly basis. He added that the taskforce was considering arresting residents that patronise motorcycles as part of efforts to strengthen the level of enforcement. He advised residents against patronising motorcycles but should learn to walk short distances where possible, for their own safety. The director further advised those investing in commercial motorcycle business to have a rethink, stressing that the FCTA would invest its resources to curtail them.

Wike Revokes 22 Allocations, Offers 3-Month Devt Window To 21 Embassies, 168 Others

In a significant move, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has revoked 21 plots of land in the Central Business District (CBD), citing violations of the terms of development as the primary reason for this decision. The revocation notice was formally issued by Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, who stated that the minister was exercising his authority under Section 28(5)(a) & (b) of the Land Use Act 1978. The lands were revoked due to “continued contravention of the terms of development of the Right of Occupancy, to wit non-development.” Several prominent entities were affected by this revocation, including Lowe Lintas, Tourist Company of Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, CFA Motors, and Chidol Properties, among others. In a parallel development, the FCT Minister also extended a three-month grace period to 189 titleholders who have acquired Building Plan Approvals but have not yet initiated development on their respective properties. The official statement from the Director of Information and Communication in the FCTA, Muhammad Hazat Sule, explained that this grace period is an opportunity for these titleholders to commence development or risk having their titles revoked. This three-month grace period applies to a diverse group of stakeholders, including embassies and government agencies. Notable embassies such as the Embassy of Ireland, Embassy of France, Canadian High Commission, Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and several others are among those who have been granted this extension. Additionally, numerous government agencies, including those within the FCT Administration, fall under this category. The grace period also covers various other organizations and entities such as the Abuja National Mosque Council, Daily Times of Nigeria, Elf Petroleum, Access Bank, Federal Housing Authority, and several individuals including Adamu Ajuji Waziri, Isa Yuguda, Eyitayo Lambo, Abba Gana, Mohammed Abubakar Rimi, and more. It is emphasized that this extension is solely for those who have already acquired Building Plan Approvals and have expressed a genuine intent to develop their properties but have not initiated development. The FCT Administration emphasized that this extension is a gesture to support those who have demonstrated a clear commitment to property development by obtaining the necessary approvals. It is a response to their willingness to comply with the terms outlined in the Offer of the Right-Of-Occupancy. The statement further encourages affected property owners to make use of this opportunity and proceed with development within the stipulated three-month period. Failure to do so will result in the revocation of their titles, in accordance with the provisions of the law. The FCT Administration has extended this grace period to both individual property owners and corporate organizations that have shown a sincere desire to develop their properties. Simultaneously, the three-month grace period extended to 189 titleholders is a strategic move aimed at encouraging and facilitating property development within the Federal Capital City. Property owners, including embassies, government agencies, and corporate entities, are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure the continued validity of their titles and contribute to the growth and development of the city.

Wike Sets To Launch Comprehensive Roads Rehabilitation In Abuja

In a bid to enhance the state of road infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the FCT, is gearing up to kickstart an extensive road rehabilitation and bridge repair project. The official launch is scheduled for Monday. Anthony Ogunleye, the Ministry’s Director of Press, made the announcement in a statement released on Saturday, emphasizing the significance of this initiative in improving the FCT’s road network. The comprehensive resurfacing project will target 135 roads across prominent districts such as Garki, Wuse, Gwarimpa, and Maitama. This endeavor is poised to breathe new life into these roads, ensuring their durability and improved functionality. The official flag-off ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. along Ladoke Akintola Boulevard in Garki II, Abuja. This marks a pivotal moment as it signifies Minister Wike’s commitment to driving rapid infrastructure development within the nation’s capital. With this initiative, Nyesom Wike aims to set a promising precedent for significant infrastructure improvements and a brighter future for the FCT’s transportation network.

We’ll deliver millennium tower project in 2 years –Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike declared that the ministry will deliver the Millennium Tower project in the next two years. Wike stated this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with contractors handling different projects in the FCT. The Millennium Tower at Central Area, Abuja, is a multifunctional edifice with facilities for cultural exposition, tourism, socialisation, recreation, hospitality, and commercial activities. The project is being handled by Salini Construction Nigeria Limited but was abandoned due to lack of funds. He said that the tower was a very important project that would change the landscape of Abuja city. “It is a very ambitious project, but again if we are talking of Abuja being one of the best cities in the world, then we must have such a facility. “I can tell you it is not easy to go into that project, but we have decided that whatever it takes, it is going to be one of the legacy projects for President Bola Tinubu. “In fact, we are looking at the next two years, if the way we are going to structure our payment is agreeable with the contractor,” Wike said. NAN reports that the project, conceived in 2005 had reached 40 per cent completion, and is expected to, upon completion, self-finance itself from revenues generated from all the commercial activities in the complex. The scope of the project comprises a cultural centre with four museums, an expansive arcade consisting of 40,000m2 platform for hosting national and other events. It also consists of a five-star hotel with 55 luxury rooms and nine suites for about 130 persons, offices, passive and active recreational facilities, 1200 capacity auditorium, conference rooms, Others are exhibition halls, shops, a sport centre with an indoor pool, gyms, fitness, squash courts and a two-level 1,200 capacity basement car park. The millennium tower itself is a 170-meter-tall structure accommodating a revolving panoramic restaurant for more than 130 diners. The minister added that a careful analysis of all the awarded contracts with the contractors and his team have revealed that most of the projects were abandoned for lack of funds. “The Minister of State, myself, the permanent secretary, and directors have concluded that it is not possible to carry on with the entire projects in the FCT. “Therefore, we agreed to take them in order of priority. We have tried to work out most of the projects being handled by Julius Berger and agreed to see that these projects are fully completed,” he said. Wike added that the Villa Roundabout being handled by China Geo-engineering Corporation (CGC) Nigeria Limited, would be completed in the next six to eight months. He equally said that the ministry would ensure the completion of the projects being handled by Cetraco Nigeria Ltd, and also put a facelift on Garki, Wuse and part of Maitama in the next one week. He said that the contractors would be mobilised immediately, adding that Asokoro would equally have a facelift in no distant time. On the Abuja light rail rehabilitation project, the minister said that an agreement has been concluded with CCECC Nigeria Limited to give them their money in the next two days so they can go to work. “We are also discussing with the company on the operation cost, because it will not be good to rehabilitate and then you cannot operate. “We have told them that on Thursday, we are going to meet to talk about the operation cost,” he said. Wike pointed out that part of the problems of the projects was because they were not being funded by the national budget. He said that in view of the funding challenge, the ministry would pick some projects that could be completed within a specific period and then decide on what to do again in the following year.

Abuja Building Collapse: Wike orders landlord’s, as victims assess losses

Following the collapse of a two-storey building on Lagos Street, Garki Village, Abuja, on Wednesday night, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has directed the apprehension of the building’s owner. The incident resulted in the loss of two lives, with 37 individuals successfully evacuated and transported to medical facilities, according to a statement issued by the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FCT FEMA). During his visit to the collapse site on Thursday, Wike issued the order and emphasized the significance of accountability. Additionally, he instructed the Permanent Secretary of FCT Administration, Mr. Adesola Olusade, to cover the medical expenses of those who were hospitalized due to the collapse. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Wike also called upon the Department of Development Control under the FCT Administration to swiftly relocate the affected residents of the community. He underscored the importance of collaboration between stakeholders and government officials, emphasizing their shared responsibility to ensure the well-being of all concerned. The aftermath of the building collapse has prompted a swift response from authorities, reflecting the gravity of the incident and the commitment to safeguarding lives and property. “This is what we are talking about; people just built houses without due diligence to minimum standards. “This is why cities are planned – forestall this kind of incidents. “I sympathise with those who lost their lives while the medical bills of those in the hospitals will be paid immediately,” he said. Earlier, the Director, Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, had explained that the area was unplanned and houses an indigenous community. Galadima said that the two-storey building was multipurpose and was for both residential and commercial use. The permanent secretary commended security agencies and some contractors who came out in their numbers to render support in evacuating the rubbles and search for more victims. Also, the Director-General, FCT FEMA, Dr Idriss Abass, said that relevant agencies had been on ground since the occurrence of the incident, to rescue the victims. Abass said that efforts were still ongoing “to ensure that no one is left under the rubbles”. Meanwhile, some of the victims, who spoke with newsmen said that they lost their investments and properties to the incident, and called for government support. One of them, Ms Glory Perekeme, who operates a restaurant and a bar at the building, said she lost about N5 million as she could not take anything from her restaurant. “I closed for business around 10:00 p.m. and was on my way home when I received a call that the building had collapsed and my investment gone. “I am still in shock; and I don’t even know where to start from. “I really need assistance. Government should come to our aid so we can start all over again,” she said. Another victim, Mrs Ann Anyi, who owned a laundry and sells shoes, said that she lost everything to the incident. “I have been crying since I got the news of the incident in the midnight. “I am just hoping that when the rescue operation is over, I will be able to salvage something from the rubbles,” she said.

Don’t pay advert revenue to DOAS, firm urges FCT residents

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been advised to pay their respective advertisement revenue to the Areas Councils where they operate their businesses and not to the Department of Advertisement and Signage (DOAS). In a statement on Sunday in Abuja, signed by the management of Pro Tax Pro Nigeria Initiative, they warned that any business that continues to make payments to the Department of Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was doing that at their own risk. “Any individual or organization therefore who deals with DOAS, FCTA harmonized mobile advertising revenue for the six area councils or any other agency other than the six area councils or their technical partners with regards to mobile advertisements and signage’s (including mobile, 1st party and 3rd party advertisement) does so at his/her detriment and would be deemed to have contravened the area councils constitutional mandate on regulations of advertisements,” the statement said. The company noted that with two court judgments nullifying the existence of the DOAS, it would be out of place for businesses to still make payment for advertisement and signage to the DOAS. The statement read in part: “Following the judgment of the FCT High Court delivered on the 11th September 2020 by Hon. Justice Muawiyah Baba Idris of Court no. 26, Nyanya, Abuja, which is now on appeal no. ca/abj/cv/1082/2020 between Hon. Minister of the FCT and Metro Auto Workshop & 4 others.  “The Court held thus: the department of advertisement and signage of the FCTA is hereby nullified having been created contrary to section 1(3) and paragraph 1 (k) (i) of the 4th schedules to the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as altered”. “The said judgment which nullified the Department of Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) has not been stayed by either the FCT high court or the court of appeal, the implication of this position in law is that (DOAS) is no longer in existence until the court of appeal says otherwise. “Also, in the case of Pro Tax Pro Nigeria Initiative & 1 ors vs. Hon. Minister of FCT & 2 others suit no. cv/1646/2020, the FCT High Court presided by Hon. Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya made similar pronouncement nullifying the Department of Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) from usurping the constitutional revenue powers of the area council.” The management of the company insisted that until the appeal filed by the FCT Minister is vacated at the Court of Appeal, the High Court judgment is still valid and subsisting in the eyes of the law. “Consequently, the general public is by this notice advised to disregard henceforth all revenue collections with respect to advertisements and signage’s (including mobile, 1st party and 3rd party advertisement) by anybody under whatever name called including but not limited to DOAS or FCTA harmonized mobile advertising revenue for the six area councils as there is no such body known to law until the court of appeal decides on the two appeals pending before it.  The general public is by this notice advised to be properly and adequately guided,” the company said.