Opinion
Wike’s Gridlocks In FCT
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Since the movement of the nations capital from Lagos to Abuja by the military administration of late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed and General Olusegun Obasanjo and completed by the civilian administration of Alhaji Usman Aliyu Shehu Shagari over four decades away, the upsurge of gridlocks witnessed in the last week in the current administration of Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administered by Nzenwon Nyesom Wike has been monumental.
The gridlocks which is beyond the usual hustle and bustle of the Nigeria’s city centre in the early days of movement to the Federal Capital Territory FCT was fo herald the reconstruction, rehabilitation, remodeling and construction of roads and infrastructure neglected in the last four decades away.
The gridlocks which lasted for over one week defied preparation for the minimum wage strike and even the two day strike embarked upon by the labour leaders to enable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commission the endless projects carried out by the FCT Minister in the last nine months.
Soon after the President returned to the nation’s capital after commissioning several projects of the federal government and Lagos state government including Lagos- Calabar coastal highway, on Monday 27th , May , 2024, he resumed project commissioning embarked upon by the Minister , Nyesom Wike led administration in the FCT.
The roads scattered all over the city territory was last renovated in the early movement to the federal capital territory in 1983, when the civilian administration of Late Alhaji Shehu Shagari assumed office for his second term in office.
The movement though partial, was officially acknowledged during the late Murtala Ramat Mohammed administration, even when subsequent administration was shuttling between Lagos and the new nations city , Abuja.
The nine months renovation which covered from AYA junction to all roads and streets of Asokoro linking Aso Rock Villa, the seat of government scattered around the federal secretariat, to Maitama district that had made the entire city of government weared a new look.
For Wike nine months administration of the FCT, he touched all streets that existed in the zones, districts and the three arms zones were the seat of government is currently settled.
The commissioning from Monday 27th, May, 2024 spread across the whole week and extended to the second week of 3rd , June, 2024.
Wike aside embarking on remodeling and reconstruction of roads also completed the moribund Wuye flyover, from the zones residence that was awarded and abandoned close to a decade , that has relieved the residence of Wuye district, Zone one , two , three , four , five and six among other zones of traffic congestion around Berger roundabout linking Wuye, Jabi and Utako districts.
The Apo district flyover linking the AYA, Villa and Asokoro district from abattoir interchange was also completed and commissioned along with the ongoing work on the Apo, Karshi, Orozo highway abandoned for over a decade and capable of opening up and decongesting the AYA , Nyanya, Mararaba axis of usual hold up that was becoming perennial including the Aso drive, Gwarimpa axis.
Within the whole week that started from Monday 27th, May, 2024 – Monday ,3rd, June , 2024 was a celebration of gridlocks laced with the development of the FCT.
Aside reconstruction, rehabilitation and commissioning of the roads across the nations city, Wike also brought back to life the Abuja metroline project abandoned by the previous administration to be utilised free of charge for two months by the residents of FCT, extended to six months, to end of the year , 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under his Renewed Hope Agenda.
Wike also attracted development to other sectors across the FCT which included human capital development, staff welfare, appointment and regularisation of appointments to ensure smooth administration of the present administration Renewed Hope Agenda.
The reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads across the nations capital has brought back life to the city centre and it is capable of reducing the threats of bad roads, insecurity, unusual delay and gridlocks been witnessed before the inception of the present administration.
The FCT administration under Nyesom Wike, the roads are now motorable, secured and safe for commuters and ordinary Nigerians resident in the territory.
The infrastructural deficit and decay witnessed in the last four decades was gradually becoming a thing of the past ,as the Minister is determined to rewrite the history of the obsolete infrastructure the nation’s city capital was known for.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF, A Public Affairs Analyst on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.