Connect with us

News

FG approves reconstruction of Dei-Dei Market-Life Camp road

Published

on

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, January 25, 2025, commissioned the 5-kilometer temporary access road connecting Saburi 1 and 2 communities to the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) and the old Keffi, Dei-Dei International market road in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

During the commissioning ceremony, the Minister announced the Federal Government’s approval for reconstructing the Dei-Dei International Market road to Life Camp. He assured residents that the project would commence in February and be completed by the end of the year.

He stated, “Mr. President has directed that this Dei-Dei International Market road should be reconstructed to Life Camp, so that the market can come back to what it used to be as an international market. So, be assured that in the next one month, we will flag it off and I can assure you, before the end of this year, we will come back and commission it.”

Speaking to the residents of Saburi, Barr. Wike emphasized the commitment of the current administration to delivering on its promises. He said, “Let me thank the people of Saburi for mobilizing yourself to show appreciation for what the President has done, remembering the communities that make up AMAC. Just as the Chairman said, when we came here last year to flag off this road project, you know the usual thing. They will say yes, after flag off, what next, it will be abandoned project every time. But I told you that ours will not be the same. We will not flag-off any project and abandon the project.”

ALSO READ:  N585m GVG Fund Saga: Accountant General Disputes Betta Edu's Actions

The Minister also highlighted the inclusion of streetlights in the Saburi Road project, acknowledging the community’s proximity to the city. He further assured the AMAC Chairman, Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, that the Zabna to Kagini road project which he had requested would be constructed, recognizing his leadership and support for the President.

Barr. Wike emphasized the commitment of the President to develop all parts of Abuja, stating, “Under President Tinubu’s administration, every part of Abuja will be touched. We are not going to concentrate development only in the city. We must carry development, by the directive of Mr. President to all the communities and that’s why since Monday the 20th of January, this is the sixth day we have visited all the Area Councils.” He also announced that every Area Council will have one road project included in the FCT’s 2025 Statutory budget.

The Minister equally appealed to FCT residents to exercise patience and support the President’s administration, stating, “I appeal to you now, just be patient with the Administration of President Ahmed Tinubu. You will know that the President is committed and serious to helping Nigeria be a better country.” He also reiterated the government’s commitment to improving education infrastructure in the FCT.

In their separate goodwill message, the Chairmen Senate and House of Representatives Committees on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Sen. David Jimkuta and Hon. Fred Agbedi both commended the FCT Minister for his exemplary leadership and pledged the support of the National Assembly for the FCT Administration.

ALSO READ:  Minister inaugurates 7-man committee for 2024 FCT Hajj operations

While Senator Jimkuta also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Barr. Wike as FCT Minister, praying that Nigerians in other parts of the country get to enjoy what residents of the FCT are enjoying as a result of Mr President’s decision, Hon. Agbedi said the newly reconstructed Saburi access road would ensure increased volume of trade at the Dei-Dei Market and urged the traders to reciprocate governments’ good gesture by bringing down the prices of goods sold at the market.

Earlier in his remarks, the AMAC, Chairman, Hon. Maikalangu expressed gratitude to the FCT Minister on behalf of the local communities for the swift and timely completion of the road project, as promised.

The Chairman conveyed to the Minister the immense appreciation felt by residents of the community. He emphasized that the Minister is the first to demonstrate such genuine concern for the needs of residents, earning widespread praise and admiration within the communities. The Chairman further acknowledged the Minister’s dedication to improving the lives of residents not only in urban areas but also the rural regions.

Reeling out the road projects undertaken by AMAC, Hon. Maikalangu extended an invitation to the Minister to officially commission the completed projects while requesting the Minister to consider future projects within the AMAC, which he described as the largest Council within the FCT.

One of the requests was for the construction of the Zabna-Kagini road, which the Minister agreed to, saying that the Chairman had proven himself.

In his welcome address, the Coordinator, Satelite Town Development Department, STDD, Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu said the access road has brought hope to the Saburi 1 and 2 communities, especially the vibrant youths in the area and a realisation of a dream.

ALSO READ:  Bauchi community seeks stiff punishment for loggers

He added that the road represents a major step in FCTA’s goal of bridging infrastructural needs in the rural areas and thank the FCT Minister for ensuring that the road projects were not only executed and delivered on time, but are also of very high quality.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

National

Centre demands prosecution of IBB over June 12 annulment

Published

on

By Abubakar Yunusa

A leading civil society organisation, the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED), has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida over his role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, CHRICED’s Executive Director, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, described Babangida’s recent self-incriminating remarks as a critical test for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He asserted that failure to hold the former leader accountable would undermine Tinubu’s moral and political legitimacy.

“We firmly assert that if President Tinubu fails to take decisive action against General Babangida and does not ensure that he faces the consequences of his actions—specifically, imprisonment, which is where he rightfully belongs—he will lack the moral and political legitimacy to govern effectively,” Zikirullahi stated.

The organisation argued that Babangida’s candid admission of his role in annulling the election paints him as a figure who has evaded justice for too long.

It warned that failure to prosecute him would further entrench a culture of impunity in Nigeria.

The statement also highlighted the tragic aftermath of the annulment, including the deaths of protesters and the imprisonment of pro-democracy activists.

Among those mentioned were Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the election, who was detained and later died under suspicious circumstances, as well as journalist Dele Giwa, whose unresolved murder remains a symbol of repression during Babangida’s regime.

“For decades, successive governments have claimed a lack of evidence to prosecute Babangida.

However, with his recent confessions and public statements, there is now compelling evidence for legal action,” CHRICED said.

ALSO READ:  Fire Incident at 4th Avenue, Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja

The organisation also criticised the financial waste associated with the annulled election, arguing that resources used to conduct the poll could have been better utilised for national development.

The center blamed Babangida’s administration for fostering a political culture where power is acquired through manipulation rather than democratic means.

“The decisions made by Babangida and his associates have led to the infiltration of unqualified individuals into various positions of authority, undermining governance and eroding public trust,” the statement read.

CHRICED urged President Tinubu to take a stand for justice, insisting that addressing Babangida’s role in the June 12 annulment is crucial to restoring faith in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“This is not just about the past; it is about Nigeria’s future. If impunity is allowed to persist, the cycle of injustice and corruption will continue to plague our nation,” Zikirullahi warned.

Continue Reading

News

U.S. department ‘accidentally’ cut Ebola prevention – Elon Musk

Published

on

Elon Musk, U.S tech billionaire on Thursday revealed that the U.S. government accidentally cut Ebola virus prevention efforts.

Musk told a U.S. Cabinet meeting that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) had made mistakes as it cut jobs and programmes in recent weeks.

“We won’t be perfect, but when we make mistake, we’ll fix it very quickly.”

Musk, who is not a Cabinet member or an elected official, said one such mistake was “accidentally” cancelling Ebola prevention while cutting U.S. development aid agency USAID.

“I think we all want Ebola prevention. So we restored the Ebola prevention immediately, and there was no interruption,” Musk said.

“But we do need to move quickly if we are to achieve a trillion dollar deficit reduction in financial year 2026.

“It requires saving 4 billion dollars per day, every day, from now through the end of September,” he added. “But we can do it, and we will do it.”

Ebola is a contagious and life-threatening infectious disease. The virus is transmitted through physical contact and contact with bodily fluids.

USAID is one of the largest aid agencies in the world, employing around 10,000 people, two-thirds of whom work outside the United States.

It is responsible for doling out much of the U.S. government’s humanitarian assistance to developing countries and countries in crisis.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has effectively dismantled the agency, placing almost all staff on leave.

Trump froze the agency’s funds in January pending an internal review, impacting a vast array of initiatives around the globe. (dpa/NAN)

ALSO READ:  Troops raid notorious bandit camp in Taraba, kill terrorist, recover weapons
Continue Reading

News

North Korea behind $1.5bn cryptocurrency heist – FBI

Published

on

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday said that North Korea is behind the theft of about 1.5 billion dollars in digital assets from a cryptocurrency exchange, .

The company said hackers stole about 1.5 billion dollars in digital assets from Dubai-based crypto exchange Bybit on Feb.19, marking the biggest cryptocurrency heist ever recorded.

The FBI warned that the assets will be laundered and eventually converted into currency.

“FBI refers to this specific North Korean malicious cyber activity as ‘TraderTraitor,’ the FBI said in a public announcement.

“Trader Traitor actors are proceeding rapidly and have converted some of the stolen assets to Bitcoin and other virtual assets dispersed across thousands of addresses on multiple block chains,” the agency said.

“It is expected these assets will be further laundered and eventually converted to fiat currency.”

Fiat currency refers to government-issued currency that is not backed by a physical commodity such as gold.

Bybit has offered a bounty to those that help them recover the losses, setting up an online system to trace and freeze stolen funds.

Chief executive Ben Zhou said transparency was not just a principle, but “our most potent weapon” against cybercrime.

“We are taking a stand to ensure that every transaction is visible and every hacker is held accountable.

“Our multifive-pronged offensive is a clear message: if you steal, you will be found, and justice will be swift,” said Zhou. (dpa/NAN)

ALSO READ:  N585m GVG Fund Saga: Accountant General Disputes Betta Edu's Actions
Continue Reading