The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that the previous Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari never thought it wise to develop Sattelite towns but concentrated only on the city centre......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Wike, who said this yesterday at a briefing after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, disclosed that the Council approved the termination of the previous contract for the development of Maitama 2 for non-performance and re-awarded the same.
He said “We know the level of decay before we came in and previous administrations never taught it wise to take development to the satellite towns. The FEC has ratified the termination of the contract for the development of Maitama 2. Before now this is an area that is allocated to various citizens.
“What we have here is not less than 1,700 allottees before this government came in and the contract was awarded for the sum of N184billion for the provision of infrastructure in the Maitama 2. The thinking of Mr President is that if we are able to develop the area, it will reduce the housing deficit. So many people will go and develop their properties.
“But unfortunately after the award of the contract, the contractor was never on site. We may not also blame him because we saw he was never mobilized. It has taken over one year. So we sought for the termination of the contract started a new process of procurement and provided enough funds for the infrastructural development to take place.
“I can assure you that now that the contract has been terminated, we will move quickly to start the process and make sure that we develop the area.
“It is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President that we must take development to the satellite towns. As I spoke to you today, I know before December, we will commission more than 75 kilometres of road. The President has also said we must continue to give hope and infrastructure to satellite towns.
The areas covered are in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Bwari area councils. These are the three area councils that Council has approved that we have to make sure that infrastructure is given to them.”
The Minister also disclosed that the President was not pleased with judges living in rented apartments and hotels and therefore ordered that 40 units of houses be built for them in the Katampe District.
“What it means is that out of these 40 FCT High Courts, which is like the FCT court, will have 20, the Federal High Court will have 10 and the Court of Appeal will have 10 and this will be completed in fifteen months.
“Again Council approved the construction of an access road from Artillery Road N11 from Mabuchi to Judges Quarters. All the roads in the Judges Quarters will have to be constructed. FEC also approved the construction of an access road from Ring Road 1-N16 Shehu Shagari Way to judges’ quarters to be delivered in the fifteenth month.
Sometimes this year we flagged off the construction of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division. If you are there you know there is no access road. Today Council approved full development of the road and other connecting roads to the Court of Appeal Abuja division,” he said.