TheCable

The house of representatives committee on federal capital territory (FCT) has praised Nyesom Wike for for his efforts to revitalise the country’s capital.

Muktar Betara, chairman of the committee, gave the commendation during the panel’s inaugural meeting on Wednesday.

Wike was represented by Adesola Olusade, permanent secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Betara said since his assumption of office as the minister of the FCT, Wike has taken steps to improve the city’s infrastructural development by completing old projects and initiating new ones.

“We appreciate your visionary leadership and the giant strides you have taken towards the infrastructural development of our beloved capital city through the completion of ongoing and abandoned projects and commencing new ones,” he said.

He said the “improvements” seen in the FCT in the past few months have “significantly” enhanced the living conditions and overall well-being of residents.

“The resuscitation of the Abuja light rail project would address the challenges faced by our transportation system and ensure the smooth flow of traffic and accessibility for all,” he said.

“Likewise, we applaud your efforts in removing the FCT administration from the treasury single account (TSA) which has facilitated the smooth funding for execution of these projects.

“Furthermore, your relentless commitment to enforcing and boosting collection of revenues on tenement charges has been remarkable.”

‘STOP FCT INFRASTRUCTURE FROM FURTHER DETERIORATION’

However, Betara asked the minister to prioritise the maintenance of public infrastructure in the FCT to prevent “further deterioration”.

He also said the minister needs to ramp up the revenue generation in the FCT as well as tackle insecurity for the safety of residents and visitors.

He said the Abuja Water Board, department of parks and recreation, and Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) have witnessed a decline in revenue generation.

“This trend does not bode well for the sustainable development of FCT,” Betara said.

The legislator said innovative solutions must be explored to ensure that the agencies operate effectively and generate revenue for the infrastructure development of the FCT.

“The current state of our infrastructure presents a significant challenge,” he said.

“Hon minister, we need to prioritise regular maintenance to prevent further deterioration and ensure the safety and comfort of FCT residents and visitors.”

In response, Wike said the FCT administration is working to address the concerns raised by the lawmakers.