By Sarah NEGEDU
The leadership of the Federal Capital Territory said it is perfecting plans to evacuate beggars from the streets of Abuja, as concerns over the security situation in the territory heightens.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, said his administration will declare war against street begging and other vices that fuel insecurity in the nation’s capital.
Wike, who disclosed this during the official flag-off ceremony for the construction of access road to the Judges Quarters in Katampe, described the activities of street beggars as not just embarrassing to the seat of power, but of security concern.
The minister gave the beggars the next five days to move their activities out of the FCT saying,
“In terms of security, let me say clearly now, we have declared war. Abuja is returning into a beggar’s city. If you know you have a sister, you have a brother who is a beggar on the road, tell them, from next week, 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 begging. Maybe they will be informants. So please, have it at the back of your mind. That is not only infrastructure. We want to give you good security so you can sleep well with your two eyes closed.”
On the construction of access road to the Judges Quarters, the minister gave the contractor seven months to ensure the completion of the project to mark Mr President’s second year in office.
“That is not what we agreed. What we agreed is that this will be part of the second year anniversary of Mr. President. So October next year is not the anniversary. The anniversary is May, June. So that 12 months, this is for you. It is not for us. What we agreed is this will be part of presidential second year anniversary.”
The minister also disputed accusation that the administration was concentrating development in the city center, explaining that there are several ongoing projects across all six area councils.
“A lot of people have said that we are concentrating in the city.. That is not correct. As I speak to you, tomorrow, Thursday, we’ll be at the area councils, and Monday, we’ll be in Gwagwalada, then Kwali. This December, we are commissioning six roads that will total about 65km in the area councils. 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.
“But of course you know, it is the city that tells you how the place will be. If foreigners come to the city and the city does not look good, it is giving them pressure. But if the city does not look good, you can imagine what will happen in the rural areas. So let everybody know that we owe a duty to make sure Abuja competes favorably with other cities of the world.”
Meanwhile, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said Nigeria will require an estimated $3 trillion over the next 30 years, to bridge its infrastructural gab and improve the level of development required for sustained economic growth.
He said that the construction of road network, power supply, housing, healthcare, and education sectors are some of the areas in urgent need of attention.
He pointed that Abuja, with its unique status as the seat of government, the development of infrastructure is not only an economic necessity but also a reflection of our national aspirations.
“In the Federal Capital Territory, with its unique status as the seat of government, the development of infrastructure is not only an economic necessity but also a reflection of our national aspirations.
“It is common knowledge that Nigeria, like many other developing nations, has an infrastructure deficit. According to recent estimates, Nigeria needs to invest about $3 trillion over the next 30 years to close the infrastructure gap and achieve the level of development required for sustained economic growth. The road network, power supply, housing, healthcare, and education sectors are some of the areas in urgent need of attention.
“Here in Abuja, the infrastructure deficit is more glaring as the city’s population continues to grow at an annual rate of 5%. This puts pressure on existing facilities and highlights the need for more access roads, housing, and essential services to cater to the needs of residents.”
He commended the FCT Minister and his team for its transformative leadership since assuming office, saying he has hit the ground running by initiating projects that address the critical needs of city.
“From road construction to urban renewal programmes, his dedication to enhancing the infrastructure of the FCT is evident. We have witnessed several flag-offs, not just as ceremonial acts, but as milestones in the commitment to make Abuja a world-class city.
“The ongoing rehabilitation of major roads, the clearing of illegal structures, and the focus on environmental sustainability are all testaments to the Honourable Minister’s vision of an Abuja that is not only beautiful but functional and efficient. I am confident that with the completion of this access road and other ongoing projects, residents and visitors alike will experience the positive impacts of these developments.”
