Nyesom Ezenwo Wike - CON, GSSRS

Happy New Month

Today, I inspected the ongoing construction of the Renewed Hope City Access road in Karsana District, Old Keffi road to Dei-Dei and Life Camp, Airport Road to Kuje, Phase 1 of the Kuje to Gwagwalada road and City Gate remodeling.

I am happy that the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, which is a critical infrastructure designed to unlock access to thousands of affordable housing units in the FCT is 98% completed.

The 17km Old Keffi Road stretching from Kado Village and Life Camp junction through to the Dei-Dei axis is officially cleared for commissioning too and once completed, this critical infrastructure will link populated communities like Saburi, Gwagwa, Idu and Karmo directly to the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) dramatically reducing travel time.

Also, the progress of work on the FCT Highway 105 from Airport Road to Kuje is commendable, just as the Phase 1 of the Kuje to Gwagwalada Road, which is completed too. These two major roads have transformed the visual landscape of the entire Kuje area.

The Abuja City Gate remodeling project, the visionary brainchild of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, is also on track for a formal handover by early June. This is going to give the nation's capital a modern, welcoming new look.

Inspecting the ongoing construction of access roads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana, Dei-Dei to Life Camp road, road connecting the Body of Benchers, Baze and Nile Universities at the Institution and Research District and the Bill Clinton Drive (Airport Road) to Tugan Madaki community today.

These projects are slated to be inaugurated by Mr President as part of his third-year anniversary celebration and the contractors handling the road projects assured that outstanding works including lighting, would soon be completed.

Today, I received Ambassadors and High Commissioners Designate, who were on a courtesy visit to my office. They were led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed.

As directed by Mr. President, lands will be allocated to the Ambassadors and High Commissioners Designate. This move is intended to provide the envoys with permanent residences in the nation’s capital, and ensure that they have a home to return to during official briefings and after their service abroad.

The diplomats were urged to be the eyes and ears of Nigeria during their national assignments, reminding them their character and representation are vital to how the world perceives the country. They were also urged to counter misinformation regarding Nigeria’s political landscape, especially the narrative that Nigeria is turning into a one-party state.

For me, there is no attempt by Mr. President to make Nigeria a one-party state. The mere fact that one political party has a problem does not mean that Nigeria will be a one-party state, and that should be made clear.

Yesterday, I received a delegation from the Nigerian Law School, led by the Director-General, Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote.

I was surprised to hear that the institution was built on a land without C-of-O. This trend where government institutions do not have official land documentation is one of the issues the FCTA is addressing in its land reforms.

And as requested by the DG, I approved waiver for the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) for the Bwari Campus of the Law School and directed the Land Administration Department to ensure that the document is processed and delivered within one week.

Today, I received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, His Excellency, Yousef Bin Mohammed Al Balawi, who was on a courtesy visit.

Of importance is the long-standing and robust relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, particularly the hospitable treatment of Nigerian pilgrims during Hajj.

We are more than eager to translate the cordial ties into tangible urban cooperation, and capitalize on the good relationship to see how our cities can cooperate, learn from each other, and see what we can do together for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Most importantly, we appreciate the Ambassador's commendation of the efforts of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government in providing modern infrastructure in the FCT, so as to make Abuja a world-class capital city.