By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has promised to improve the welfare of Judges as well as proving accomodations for them when they retire.
Wike said that improving the welfare of judiciary officers in the FCT to improve their productivity and eradicating corruption in the country.
He assured that the FCT Administration will do its best to improve the welfare of judicial officials.
The Minister made the promise on Thursday in Abuja when a delegation from the FCT Judiciary led by the FCT Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf- received a delegation from the FCT Judiciary, led by the Chief Judge of the FCT, Hon. Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf, paid a courtesy visit to his office.
The FCT Minister commended the FCT Judiciary for it’s stability as well as the cordial relationship between the FCT Administration and the FCT Judiciary, adding that the FCTA will do its best to increase the tempo of that relationship.
Wike pledged to ensure that the FCT Administration have a successful legal year.
He said, “So many people make mistakes about fighting corruption without proving an enabling environment for those fighting corruption. What are the services provided for them when they retire? Things should be provided for them to overlook certain things to do their work and to move forward.”
Provide accomodations for them at the end of their retirement. Judges of the FCT Judiciary will have homes to retire to and have welfare.
Speaking on the fight against corruption in the country, the FCT Minister noted that the fight against corruption cannot be successful without an enabling environment, as he revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed him to work towards creating the enabling environment for the judiciary to discharge its duties well in the FCT.
He said the Administration will work with the judiciary to ameliorate accommodation problem Judges in the FCT to ensure that they have a homes to retire to at the end of their service.
Wike recalled the cordial relationship between the executive and the judiciary during his tenure as Governor of Rivers State, said the government maintained the respect and independence of the judiciary in the interest of good governance.
The Minister assured that in a like manner the FCT Administration will try to replicate what was done for the Judiciary in Rivers State during his tenure as governor of the state.
He said, “Another thing I want to say is that what we did in Rivers State will be replicated in the FCT. We have to provide accommodation for them so that when they are retiring, they have a home to go to. ”
“Nobody will commandeer them with anything. But when you retire as a judicial officer and you have no home to go to, it doesn’t make sense.”
“Mr. President has told me that I must, as a matter of urgency, liaise with the Chief Judge to see how we can work out this, where Judges of the FCT Judiciary will have a home on retirement.”
“Again, whatever you think will improve the welfare of judicial officers in the FCT, do not hesitate to let us know. We are here to do anything to make sure we provide good governance. We will do everything to make the environment conducive so that you can do your work without excuses.”
The Minister also called for the support of the FCT Judiciary in tackling the issue of land racketeering and other sharp practices in the FCT that are militating against the provision of good governance in the FCT.
The Chief Judge of the FCT, Hon. Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf, earlier commended the FCT Minister over his remarkable accomplishments and dedication to public service, including his commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of judicial officers in Rivers State.
The Chief Judge assured that the FCT Judiciary will support the FCT Administration within the ambit of the law to bequeath a model city to the citizens of this country.
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