News
Wike Reiterates Commitment To Reviewing, Upgrading Abuja Masterplan
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s dedication to reviewing and upgrading the Abuja Master Plan, an initiative aimed at addressing the growing challenges in the capital city.
This was highlighted during a meeting with a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Abuja on Tuesday.
Wike explained that the project, known as the Review and Upgrading of Integrated Urban Development Master Plan for Abuja, will be carried out in collaboration with JICA.
He assured the visiting team of the FCT Administration’s full commitment to ensuring the success of the project, noting that all necessary steps for its implementation would be taken.
“We are committed to this project and will do all we can to see it come to fruition,” the Minister stated, promising stronger collaboration between the FCTA and JICA for the development of the FCT, including its satellite towns.
Mr. Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), also emphasized the importance of revisiting the 45-year-old Master Plan to address the infrastructural and developmental challenges in Abuja.
He highlighted the need for upgraded infrastructure, improved water and power supply systems, and enhanced urban mobility solutions to transform Abuja into a globally recognized smart city.
Additionally, he stressed the significance of creating employment opportunities to accommodate the city’s expanding population.
The review process has already commenced, with basic data collection underway by JICA’s technical team and key departments within the FCTA and FCDA. Following the completion of an inception report, an international conference will be organized to gather input from key stakeholders.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, praised the success of ongoing JICA projects in the FCT, such as initiatives targeting open defecation, nutrition improvement, and urban development.
He called for deeper collaboration with the FCTA to expand the impact of these projects across more communities in the FCT.
Mr. Nobukuyi Kobe of JICA’s Infrastructure Management Department detailed the objectives of the project, noting that it aims to ensure sustainability in alignment with Nigeria’s government policies.
He outlined two key outputs: the creation of a regional infrastructure development strategy for Abuja and its satellite towns for the period 2025-2050, and the enhancement of planning and implementation capacities of FCTA officers.
Kobe urged the FCTA to facilitate coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and approve the reviewed and updated Master Plan, along with the Urban and Regional Planning Act.
He further emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between the FCTA and FCDA to ensure the success of the project.
By Francesca Hangeior
The Director of Information, Secretary, Research and Information (SR&I), National Assembly, Mr Bullah Bi-Allah, has denied the purported budget presentation by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.
Bi-Allah said this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday following the news making the round that the president was billed to present the budget on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
He said such news credited to him was fake, baseless, and unfounded, urging the public to disregard it.
He said: “The attention of the Secretary, Research and Information (SR&I), National Assembly, Dr Ali Barde Umoru, has been drawn to the purported fake news credited to him.”
He added that the news alleged that “His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, will tomorrow Wednesday present the 2925 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly.”
According to him, the news circulating on both social and mainstream media and other outlets is false and should be disregarded.
“The secretary advised that any official inquiry and clarification should follow the official communication channels of the National Assembly.”
He said that NASS was yet to approve the 2024-2026 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper, forwarded to both chambers of the National Assembly by Tinubu.
He clarified that the MTEF approval would come before the official presentation of the 2025 budget.
He said, “In view of the above, the SR&I warns peddlers of such information to desist forthwith from using his office to mislead members of the public.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
He was arrested shortly after surrending to the anti-graft agency on Tuesday afternoon.
He is being grilled over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the office with his lawyers on Tuesday morning, following the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed states’ case on the constitutionality of the anti-graft agency.
The former governor drove himself in a black Hilux to the EFCC office with his lawyers.
At the last hearing on November 14, the EFCC had sought for adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello, saying that the 30 days window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
Details shortly…
By Francesca Hangeior
The Catholic Diocese of Aba has said that the stampede that claimed the lives of several worshippers during the annual Christ the King Feast happened due to overcrowding during the procession.
Reports said those who died during the feast held on Sunday included two elderly women.
An eyewitness stated that the crowd “was too much that there was little or no breathing space.”
However, in a statement dated November 25, 2024, and signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, the Most Rev. Augustine Echema, the church described the incident as unprecedented.
It assured all that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full details of the tragedy, including the identities of the victims and the exact cause.
The statement read in part, “It is with deep regret and sadness that the annual joyful celebration of our Diocesan Feast Day ended in the most tragic way. Some of our devout and gallant Catholics, who joined the Eucharistic procession in a joyful mood, met their death due to overcrowding.”
The diocese extended condolences to the families of the deceased and sympathised with those injured in the incident.
“We condole with the deceased families and sympathise with those injured, who are still receiving treatment in the hospital.
“We pledge our support to the affected families and individuals during this time of grief and emergency,” the statement added.
Tinubu not presenting 2025 budget Wednesday – NASS
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