WIKE REITERATES COMMITMENT TO PROVISION OF JUDICIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

…Expresses dissatisfaction with the pace of work at appeal court office complex

By: Rabi Musa-Umar and Wisdom Acka

The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to providing infrastructure for the judiciary and ensuring dignified working conditions for judges.

The Minister stated this during a project monitoring visit to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe District and the Appeal Court Complex, Abuja division, in Daki Biyu District.

Speaking to journalists after the visit, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work at the Judges’ Quarters. However, at the Court of Appeal complex, though appreciating the quality of work, the Honourable Minister expressed his dissatisfaction at the contractors’ inability to meet deadlines.

He pointed out that the project was expected to have been delivered in September, but the contractors had requested a new deadline for December, which prompted the Minister’s visit. 

In the Honourable Minister’s words, “I don’t think even in this December that they are talking about it is possible. Yes, the work is going on very well, but you know, finishing requires a lot of time…I don’t believe that these people will hand over. I really don’t think so. Probably, they will hand over by January, but that was not what we expected at all”.

Responding to questions about the project’s significance, the FCT Minister stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was particularly interested in investing in infrastructure for judges and in their social welfare.

 He said, “These are the things that make them have confidence in doing their jobs…in carrying out their assignments, and by so doing, they will command public confidence in the judiciary”, adding that the judiciary had to be so empowered because of their role in sustaining the country’s democracy.