By Eunice Orike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the Federal Capital Territory Administration would no longer accommodate beggars who parade themselves in the streets of Abuja.
Wike, who gave the warning during the flag-off ceremony of the construction of the access road to the site of Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, expressed dismay over the number of persons who stay on the road, which according to him poses a threat to security in the FCT.
To this end, the minister issued an ultimatum on October 27th 2024, to the concerned parties to vacate the streets.
He called on their families and relatives to take them off the street before officials of the FCT Administration commence full enforcement next week, Monday in particular.
“If you know you have a sister, you have a brother who is a beggar on the road.
Plans from next week, we will carry them. We will take them out. I mean, it is embarrassing that people who come in, the first thing they see are just beggars on the road.
Sometimes too, they may not be beggars. They may be criminals pretending to be beggars. We will not allow that.
So I’m giving a public order from now till Sunday, From Monday, we will pack them out. Let us know that we have a city that we can call a city.
It’s very embarrassing. We are fighting insecurity. And people will carry plates as if they are, maybe they will be informants”, he said.
He hinted that some persons might not be impressed with the new development, but it is the for well being of every Nigerian ,as he says security is key for societal development.
The minister also said his administration is not only concentrating just on roads alone, but 25 schools will be rehabilitated to ensure that every child in the city gets the best education.
“Because you can’t believe it that in a city like Abuja, you just go to the schools.
You ask yourself, is it Abuja at all? It’s quite unfair. And so we have taken it upon ourselves that our schools will be like schools.
That anybody who goes to those schools will say yes.
Indeed, we have very good schools”, he said
Wike who expressed readiness to ensure Abuja competes favorably with other cities of the world, hinted that by December, six roads will be commissioned that will total about 65 kilometers in the area councils.
“This December. So anybody who is saying that we are concentrating in the city is not saying the truth.
The truth is that the attention we give to the city is also the attention we give to the area councils”, he said.
He further stressed on the administration’s determination to ensure that road infrastructure in federal capital territory is a top priority.
“And as far as road infrastructure is concerned, we are going to do that in Abuja.
We are not going to compromise. We use the best contractors as we have seen overseas”, he said.
On his part, the speaker of the house of representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen said the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the access road from Ring Road 1 by N16 to the Judges’ Quarters is another significant stride towards strengthening urban infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for the residents of Abuja.
He noted that infrastructure development is not just the foundation upon which economies are built; it is the lifeblood of national progress.
“In a rapidly urbanising world, infrastructure, particularly in urban centres like Abuja, is crucial to fostering sustainable development, enhancing economic growth, and improving the well-being of our citizens
The construction of roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure facilitates the movement of people, goods, and services, which in turn spurs productivity, creates jobs, and improves the living standards of all Nigerians”, he said.