Wike To CBN: ‘I Will Not Allow You Encroach On Land For Projects’

…I Wasn’t Appointed Minister To Carry Ireti Kingibe Along — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) management against encroaching on land designated for FCT projects.

Wike said this on Thursday during inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in FCT, where he expressed satisfaction with the progress of several projects but raised concerns about reported obstructions by the CBN and a lawmaker.

Wike said institutions such as the central bank must not exceed land allocated to them and cause unnecessary obstructions.

He vowed not to tolerate such encroachment and urged the apex bank’s management to allow the use of the land for the benefit of the public.

“We are very happy, and we are trying to observe some obstruction by the Central Bank, which of course, we will not allow that. You see, one thing with institutions is that when they apply for land, and they’re given, they will go beyond what was given to them, and it causes obstruction. I’ve always said anything for the public, we will not take it for granted. So, we want the Central Bank to allow us to use what belongs to us for the interest of the public.”

He further condemned attempts by a House of Representatives member to impede construction work in Guzape district of the federal capital.

Wike affirmed his commitment to delivering timely and quality projects to the public, saying “Coming to the B6 and D12 Area, we are happy with the work done by Julius Berger. And just like you heard the representative of the company has said, by May they will hand it over.”

Wike added, “We are happy with what we saw at Guzape Lot II, which is going on quite very fast, and the contractor is doing what they can to meet up with the deadline, and we believe they are going to accomplish it. But there is one setback which we just noticed there, about a House of Reps member trying to stop the company from further construction. We are not going to take it lightly.

“This is not a private project, it is a public project, handled by the Federal Capital Territory Administration. If there is any complaint, we think that whoever is responsible should complain to us and not go and use the Police to stop a legitimate company constructing work for the use of the public, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council. We have directed the contractor to go back and make sure they don’t heed to that so-called stoppage. They must go back and complete the work, which we are expecting that Mr President will Commission in May.”

The minister expressed optimism about completing multiple projects by May and commissioning them for public use.

“By and large, we are very happy with what we are seeing and you can attest to the fact that since Mr President came on board, no work has stopped in all these sites. There are so many other sites, but it will be difficult to take all at the same time. But we believe after May, before December 2, so many projects will be handed over to members of the public,” he said.

Asked why he appeared not to be involving the FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe, in his activities, Wike clarified that his job was to serve the public rather than favouring specific individuals.

“I’m not here to carry any particular person. I’m here to carry the public, I’m here to work for the interest of the public. As my Senator, she represents the FCT, and when they are in legislation, she makes sure that the interest of the FCT is taken into consideration. So when you mean carrying along, I don’t award contracts.

“Contracts are being awarded by the Federal executive Council. If there is anything I think she should add her voice in the National Assembly, as regards the FCT, I will do that. So I don’t think any one particular person will be singled out to be carried along. I know this language of carried along has a lot of interpretations, but I want to stop here,” he added