WIKE INSPECTS GUZAPE II INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, PLEDGES TO COMPLETE ABANDONED ONES

…VOWS DISCIPLINARY ACTION OVER CIRCULAR PURPORTING CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS

 By: Rabi Musa Umar and Wisdom Acka

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has pledged to revive projects abandoned by previous administrations and ensure their completion.

Wike made this pledge while speaking to journalists after inspecting engineering infrastructure in Guzape II, Abuja.

The Minister revealed that many ongoing projects in Abuja, including the Guzape District (A11) and Maitama II, were awarded over a decade ago but stalled due to funding gaps, stating that “government is a continuum.”

According to him, completing the projects would help decongest the city and unlock more economic opportunities for the Territory.

His words: “Remember that, like Maitama II, it was awarded more than 10 years ago, and the people who had properties could not have access to them. We felt that we are getting more congested. So, by the grace of God, the Federal Executive Council has awarded that job for the provision of engineering infrastructure.

“What we are doing here (Guzape II) is the same thing to create more opportunities for people to carry out their businesses. There is nothing peculiar about it.”

He stressed that allocations for the two districts had also been made over seven years, adding that it was the duty of the Administration since government is a continuum.

Responding to a question on the purported closure of schools without his approval, Wike revealed that he watched it on TV and that those found culpable had already been suspended.

In his words: “Well, you know, in the system, sometimes you get baffled. That’s why it’s important for one to be current. I was watching television last night and saw that the FCT had directed that schools should be shut down. I couldn’t believe it, so I had to call the Mandate Secretary of Education to get the details.

Barr. Wike emphasized that security agencies were working around the clock to ensure the safety of lives and property in the nation’s capital and wondered why such an order would be issued to close schools without authorization.

“I have learned that the circular was given to all the schools without our approval. I know that we’re having a Security Council meeting today. I called the Commissioner of Police and other necessary authorities. I asked, ‘Who did this?’ and they said it wasn’t in their agenda. There’s no way that directive could have been given because we don’t have such a threat that would make us shut down the schools.

“Because of that, the Mandate Secretary of Education has been suspended indefinitely, and the Directors involved will be sanctioned according to civil service rules. But it’s unimaginable how people could take such a decision without the head of affairs knowing. It’s very unfortunate,” he decried.

“You can imagine how people will take such a decision without the head of the place knowing. It’s unfortunate… Heads have to roll. We will not forgive anybody who is involved in this”, the Minister stated.

He vehemently dismissed the suggestion that the action was taken as a precaution, stating that he, being the Minister, could not even take such a decision without informing the President. 

The Minister confirmed that the Directors involved in the decision will be sanctioned according to Civil Service rules.