The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday said his administration has implemented up to 95 percent of the 2024 appropriation.

Wike made this known while inspecting several ongoing projects in Abuja, noting that all the projects currently under construction and those scheduled for inauguration as part of activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s second anniversary were adequately captured in the 2024 budget, which has been extended to June 2025.

He further disclosed that the FCT’s statutory budget has already been submitted to the National Assembly and would be considered once lawmakers return from recess.

“We are operating within the law. The remaining part of the 2024 budget will be used to pay contractors.

“We have successfully implemented up to 95 percent of the 2024 budget, which has been extended to June 2025,” he said.

Speaking on the projects expected to be inaugurated in May, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of work being delivered by various contractors.

“Frankly speaking, we are very impressed with what we have seen and what is scheduled. The contractors are living up to expectations, and we are doing our part by ensuring prompt payments to avoid any delays.

“The quality of jobs seems quite impressive. I am also happy with the progress at the International Conference Center. Those who knew how it was before and see what it is today will be impressed. The center is returning to what it is supposed to be,” he added.

…hails emergence of Bawa as state chairman

The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District Senator Manu Haruna on Sunday donated five operational vehicles to Taraba Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to enhance its operations.

Manu also seized the opportunity to congratulate the state Chairman, Hon Abubakar Bawa when he visited the secretariat in Jalingo last Sunday.

The former State Deputy Governor expressed his congratulations to Chairman Bawa and the state working committee for their election, emphasizing the importance of unity and progress within the party. He commended their commitment to strengthening the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State.

In a generous move to enhance the operational capacity of the party at the grassroots level, Senator Manu donated five vehicles — one for each Local Government Area (LGA) party chapter in Taraba Central.

This donation is intended to facilitate better coordination and outreach efforts within the party.

Senator Manu praised Hon. Abubakar Bawa for his dedicated efforts to elevate the PDP in the state, asserting that Taraba will always remain a stronghold for the party.

In response, State Party Chairman Alhaji Bawa expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Senator Manu for his thoughtful visit and generous donation. He acknowledged the impact of such contributions on the party’s progress and reemphasized the commitment of the PDP to serve the interests of the people in Taraba State.

By Francesca Hangeior
 

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has canvassed for greater efforts and commitments to the Federal Government’s aspirations to produce a workable legal framework for the country.

He charged the Committee put in place by the federal government to review, revise and consolidate the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, LFN, to double the efforts and commitments to deliver on the mandate at the appointed time.

Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, spoke on Monday in Abuja at the second retreat of the Committee put in place in October last year for the laws of the federation revision and reform.

The AGF while challenging the committee to be up and doing asked the members to remain united in purpose and steadfast in the resolve to produce a legal framework that is worthy of the nation’s aspirations.

He said the second retreat organized by the federal government was a strategic consolidation of the national law reform efforts and to provide an invaluable opportunity to come up with a better workable legal framework for the nation.

“Let me start by expressing gratitude to the Chairman, Co-Chairperson and members of the Committee for their selfless service and sacrifice, to ensure that this project is executed efficiently and effectively.

“The call to be part of this assignment is indeed a sacred that inevitably and positively affects the lives of individuals, government, businesses as well as citizens of this nation.

“The general purpose of law is to regulate human behavior by protecting lives and properties in society. The inauguration of the Committee on the 24th October, 2024 marked a historic milestone in our collective efforts to modernize, consolidate, and harmonize Nigeria’s body of federal statutes.

“The retreat successfully provides a clear framework for the structure and methodology of the revision exercise, oriented the 14 Working Groups tasked with reviewing specific legal subject areas, and fostered collaboration among key institutions and stakeholders on the project.

“Following the initial retreat, I wish to note that the Committee has recorded steady progress in its work.

“The Ministry has taken several measures to ensure that the assignment is delivered efficiently, including:training sessions for secretaries of the working groups to enhance documentation and coordination; technical meetings of the main committee and its various sub-committees; working sessions and deliberations among editors and reviewers; and ongoing technical collation of revised laws by the Secretariat.

“This second retreat is a strategic consolidation of our national law reform efforts and provides an invaluable opportunity to: review progress made since the first phase;
address any technical or structural challenges encountered during the collation process;
– Harmonize the output across working groups; and set the tone for the final stages of this important project.

“The next stage of the law review and consolidation process would include editing and proofreading the reviewed legislation, ahead of the final collation, production and printing of the laws of the federation.

“It is my conviction that these phases will be executed with even greater commitment by the Committee, with the support of stakeholders and development partners.

“I wish to commend the leadership of the LFN Committee, the Secretariat for its diligent coordination and day-to-day management as well as the Working Groups, Editors, and Reviewers, for their intellectual rigour and professionalism.

“Special gratitude to our development partners, particularly RoLAC, for standing firmly behind this national project.

“Let me urge all participants to use this retreat as a platform for robust engagement, peer learning, and practical collaboration.

“We must remain united in purpose and steadfast in our resolve to produce a legal framework that is worthy of our nation’s aspirations.

” I wish to express gratitude for your commitment to duty and I charge you to work in synergy and cooperation, in the overall interest of the nation”, the AGF said.