Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, advised the chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, to desist from the unauthorized naming of streets and roads constructed by the FCT Administration.
Wike disclosed this during the flag-off ceremony for the provision of engineering infrastructure for layouts in the Guzape AO9 and Asokoro AIT neighborhood districts of the capital.
The minister, who shifted focus from the project at hand to what he termed an infraction, expressed strong disapproval of the practice where Area Council officials allegedly name streets after individuals who have paid them money.
He said, “Today is a different day. But let me say it now. We cannot be constructing roads and providing infrastructure, then you wake up in the morning, before I wake up, you name the streets or the roads we are doing, the roads we are funding. I mean, it is very, very funny.
“You wake up; when somebody writes to you and pays you money, before you know it, it’s Dr. So-So Street, Professor So-So Street, Bishop So-So Street, and Madam So-So Street on a road we are struggling to find money to provide infrastructure. Better go and refund them their money”.
Wike, while declaring an end to the era of such naming rights, issued a clear ultimatum, adding that, “We have to name streets after those who have contributed to the development of the area. You don’t just wake up because somebody has ₦2 million, he pays you, then you come and name a street after him. That is not possible. You can go and name them in the satellite towns.
“Go to Keti-Kabusa. Go to Kabusa-Takushara. Go to all those Pai-Gomani. Go and put names there. But in the city here, the government must know who you are naming the street after.
“You don’t just name streets after somebody when you don’t know where the money comes from. We will not do that again. I have forgiven you till yesterday, but from today, I won’t forgive you again,” he said.
Wike emphasised that street naming in the city should be a dignified process reserved for those who have genuinely contributed to national or community development, not the highest bidder.
He said, “Government must know who you are naming the street after, in order to immortalize and remember them for what they have done for the country.
“If there are people who have paid you money, make sure you do the roads too. Provide infrastructure and name the street after them. Even where I am living, I woke up one early morning and saw the name of somebody. I said, as a Minister, I am living here. That is not the way it is supposed to be.
“Tomorrow, you may see footballers or our sports people who have done well, and it is said, ‘name this street after them’ in order to remember them for what they have done for the country, for what they have done for the city”.
On the project, the minister said the administration has promised to continue to provide basic infrastructure and do all it can to ensure that Abuja takes on a new look and competes with other cities of the world.
The FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, noted that the President’s vision of ensuring that every district of the FCT is accessible and well-served continues to inspire the administration’s efforts, adding that the event was another testimony of that resolve.
Mahmoud described the provision of engineering infrastructure within Guzape AO9 and the AIT Neighborhood in Asokoro AO4 as being of immense importance.
“Beyond opening up these districts for development, the road networks and associated infrastructure will enhance connectivity between neighborhoods, reducing travel time and decongesting other adjoining routes,” she said.
The minister commended members of the National Assembly for their continued support in appropriations and legislative backing.
She hailed Wike for his leadership capacity and urged the full support of Abuja residents to achieve positive results.