By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike on Monday in Abuja disclosed that the construction of the 120 km of road network projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is to fight the menace of insecurity in the nation’s capital.
Wike disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while presenting his scorecard at the Ministerial Sector Update to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office.
The FCT Minister stated that the FCT Administration did not commence the various road projects alone, but with the involvement of the six Area Councils Chairmen after various complaints on the prevalence of insecurity in their domains.
He said,” ln order to tackle security and obtain the trust of the people, we went around the Six Area Councils and had interactions with the people because we know that the government alone cannot fight insecurity.”
“The people also have a role to play and that is by providing us with the intelligence, adding that they agreed and pointed out that the bandits attacks were caused by lack of good roads.”
“When bandits attack, security agencies have no access to roads.”
Speaking further, the minister, who linked road projects to security of lives and property, stated that the Council Chairmen identified the roads in which they felt were necessary.
” And as I said, since this is what you feel you need, go home and sleep, it will be done,” he said.
As I speak to you now, all the Area Councils can attest to the fact that before December this year, we are going to commission not less than 120Km of roads in these six area councils, the minister emphasized.
Meanwhile, Wike said that the Administration has been able to provide security agencies with required logistics in terms of specialized bikes.
“This is my first time knowing that they are specialized bikes needed, and this government was able to provide all those specialized bikes.”
“We have been able to provide security agencies with all required logistics. This is my first time knowing that they are specialized bikes needed, and this government was capable of providing all those specialized bikes.”
Wike explained that aside from providing logistics, the administration has reversed the delayed two weeks of release of money to security agents when they are preparing to go on operatives, but now get the money they get when going on operations.
“But now, the moment they want to go for an operation, the money is made available. We have provided all that they need and residents can now sleep with their two eyes closed.”
“What used to be in Abuja before, is not what it is now. We cannot say that we have gotten it right 100 percent because no society is free of crime, but the question gets to be, are there any differences since we came on board? Certainly, yes.”
“You can attest to the fact that it is no longer what it used to be. This government is doing everything humanly possible to see that we reduce the level of insecurity.”
Furthermore, the FCT Minister disclosed that part of the measures taken is to curb the one-chance robbery syndrome in the territory.
He stated that again , the Administration, ‘is to build 3 terminals for FCT, so that one can identify cars and buses when they are entering into the Capital City.
“We know that certainly building these terminals will reduce the level of kidnapping and one – chance criminality or as the case may be.”
” By the grace of God, in the next 8 months this city will have 3 bus and taxi terminals and transport operators must operate from those terminals.”
This government is doing everything humanly possible to see that we reduce the level of insecurity, the minister quipped.
Barr. Wike however, noted that another form of criminality in the territory is the pilfering of manholes.
” Take for example the theft of manholes, criminals go and remove them. So we’ve brought out another strategy now, whereby the manholes will no longer be attractive to them.”
“They are being made with materials which have been tested to have all the characteristics of their strains and durability without any economic value.”
We are also introducing locks along with it so that they cannot be easily picked, and we also embed the FCTA name on the facilities unlike it used to be before, with economic value and easy to pick up, the minister revealed.
