By Joyce Babayeju
Executive chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has said the FCT Minister Nyesome Wike for reactivating projects abandoned as far back as during the regime of former military President Ibrahim Babangida.
The chairman who spoke with media men in his office also dismissed fears over multiple taxation in the nation’s capital city, saying the issue would be resolved at a meeting with the minister and all stakeholder where such exists to harmonize tax regime in the FCT.
Maikalangu said this Wednesday at a media parley with some select journalists at the AMAC headquarters, Abuja.
He said: “We don’t operate so much at the centre. What we do is to go to the rural areas where government presence is much needdd. For us as an administration, our priority has been in the areas of providing basic infrastructures especially rural roads. For instance, we don’t have billions to embark on electricity project. All we can do is to provide off grid solar generators to rural communities where the cost of connecting them to the grid would run into billions and we cannot afford it. With this the people are happy, they can power basic electronics, watch TV charge their phones among others, they are enjoying it. We ensure constant maintenance of this infrastructure. We are doing our best and we shall continue to do our best for the people on whose mandate we are here.
“On roads, like I said, this is a priority project because this brings about access to development. For instance, some of the project include the construction of roads within Kpegyi community; Damagaza village; Wumba village, and Gwagwa (by Police Station). In addition, we have fully completed the Dutsen-Garki; Jikoyi, Unguwan Sarki access road (Orozo), Mabushi ongoing access road, as well as the Iddo-Sarki access road project, Gosa, Toge ongoing road construction. The people should expect more, because this is a people focus administration”
Speaking on the tenement rate and ground rent initiative by the FCT minister, the AMAC boss said “Hon Minister Wike is doing well. We are together on this. The minister is somebody I have known for some time and he has history of successes in whatever task he is given.
“I can assure you that the issue of multiple tax would be addressed. We are aware of that and this would be discussed during our meeting with the honourable minister. Where there are similar taxes we intend to harmonise this. FCT need money, it won’t survive without tax. I think the most important thing is what people do with money, and you can see that the minister is doing tremendously well with the tax he is collecting. So, while the minister deserves every support that can be mustered, I want to also plead with you senior journalists that are here with me to give ud necessary support so we can deliver on our mandate.”
In his remarks, AMAC Secretary Jafar Gwagwa, commended the council boss for initiating what he called people-oriented projects.
“For him(Maikalangu), he is always ready to expend the available resources on projects, especially roads.” Gwagwa said, adding that there are still six ongoing road projects across the area council and more to come.
