… Says no more standing by the road side to board vehicles in Abuja
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As a sign to actualize youth inclusiveness in national development, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike has distributed 80 brand new “tear rubber”, vehicles for transportation business to empower youths in the FCT.
Wike said, ” These are brand new” tear rubber ” vehicles, we are giving is tear rubber. We are not collecting money back money from the beneficiaries, but the government is saying with this support your families. And to reduce the cost of transportation in the FCT.”
All local government councils will be involved in the free transportation empowerment for youths.
“We are not saying no more Keke napep but they will be restricted to certain places.”
Further the FCT disclosed that nobody will operate taxis without being profiled by security agents, and without using customized local Abuja colour.”
Also, Wike has announced that by next year, January to be precise, after commissioning of the bus terminals, adding that this is to ensure security in the FCT.
This is now it is in most cities of the world , noting that Abuja should compete with other cities in the world.
Speaking on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the FCDA premises where the pilot distribution of free vehicles took place, the FCT Minister said, “Today we are not just talking about the youth, in 2026 , Abuja will be 20 years, nobody every talked about intergrating youths and women.”
“Tinubu is the first president to say we cannot talk about Empowerment and development without involvement of youths and women.” And so he deemed it to create a Youths Secretariat and Women Affairs Secretariat to empower them in the FCT.
The minister congratulated the four women and male beneficiaries of the free vehicles, not to be ashamed to be taxi drivers, saying that ” we cannot promote taxi drivers here, but we promote taxi drivers in London.
He said that the government has given out the vehicles to the beneficiaries to aid them to feed their families.
The vehicles will be operational in Maitama, Guzape and Asokoro.
Wike disclosed that the President has approved the sum of 10 million Naira for empowerment of the youths either by skills acquisition or any other thing that will help to empower the youths, as he charged the Mandate Secretary of Youths Secretariat to come up with ideas on youth empowerment.
Senate Committee chairman on FCT area councils and ancillary matters, Senator David Jimkuta, said that in the past 21 years that he has lived in the FCT, and been praying for this, “thanks to Mr. President for the wonderful discovery of Wike.
House Committee on FCT, Aliyu Betara, praised Wike for laudable and legacy projects.
He said,
“After four years, Wike’s legacy will surpass all others. A legacy that no other minister will beat. As a National Assembly, we are with you because you stand for development.”
Earlier, the Youth Secretariat Mandate Secretary, Abdullahi Ango, in a like manner, appreciated Wike for the scheme, describing him as a blessing to the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.
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Wike reiterates President Tinubu’s commitment to people-oriented projects in area councils
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing people-oriented projects in all area councils.
Wike disclosed this on Wednesday at the inauguration of the rehabilitation of the Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market Road, in Gwagwalada.
He stressed that the current administration would never sit in the city to decide what to do for the people, but would rather interact with the people, document their needs and take action.
“This administration is not an administration that sits in the city; it is an administration that will visit the communities and make sure that the area councils feel the impact of government and governance.”
“We came for a town hall meeting, and in the course of our interaction, you said one of the major problems you have was to see Paiko road constructed; you said we should also construct the Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market Road.”
“I told you if that is what you want, consider it done. This is because Mr. President has directed that whatever you asked, we should give it to you.”
“Today one of the second requests you asked is the construction of these three segments of the road, and today we are inaugurating the rehabilitation of the road,” he said.
He assured the people of Gwagwalada that the road would be completed in 10 months as promised by the contractor.
The minister further announced that the Tinubu-led administration had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese company to provide potable water to residents of Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje under the pilot scheme.
He urged the residents to support the contractor to complete the project and directed the contractor to employ youths in the area in the execution of the contract.
“We are here to give you water, roads, and other infrastructure to make you happy,” he said.
Earlier, Mr. Zulkiflu Abdulkadir, Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department, said that the contract was awarded in September 2024 and would be completed in 12 months.
Abdulkadir said that the project would bridge the infrastructural gap between the city centre and the area councils.
The Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mr. Abubakar Giri, said that the road was so dear to the residents of Gwagwalada, adding that the road, when completed, would improve the quality of life of the people.
