Disturbed by lingering cases of insecurity, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to evacuate beggars from the streets of Abuja by Monday.
He said his administration will declare war against street begging and other vices that fuel insecurity in the nation’s capital.
Wike, who disclosed this during the official flag-off ceremony for the construction of access roads to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, described the activities of street beggars as not just embarrassing to the seat of power but also a security concern.
The minister gave the beggars the next five days to cease their activities in the FCT, saying:
“In terms of security, let me say clearly now, we have declared war. Abuja is turning into a beggar’s city. If you know you have a sister or a brother who is a beggar on the road, tell them that from next week, we will take them out.
“I mean, it is embarrassing that the first thing people see when they come in are beggars on the road. Sometimes, too, they may not be beggars. They may be criminals pretending to be beggars. We will not allow that. So, I am giving a public order from now till Sunday. From Monday, we will remove them. Let us ensure we have a city we can call a city. It’s very embarrassing.
“We are fighting insecurity, and people are carrying plates as if they are begging. Maybe they are informants. So please, keep in mind that it’s not just about infrastructure. We want to provide good security so you can sleep with your eyes closed.”
Regarding the construction of access roads to the Judges’ Quarters, the minister gave the contractor seven months to complete the project to mark the President’s second year in office.
“That is not what we agreed on. What we agreed is that this will be part of the second-year anniversary of Mr. President. So, October next year is not the anniversary. The anniversary is in May or June. So, 12 months is for you, not for us. What we agreed is that this will be part of the President’s second-year anniversary.
The minister also disputed accusations that the administration was focusing development efforts only in the city centre, explaining that several projects are ongoing across all six area councils.
“A lot of people say we are concentrating in the city. That is not correct. As I speak to you, tomorrow, Thursday, we will be at the area councils, and on Monday, we will be in Gwagwalada, then Kwali. This December, we are commissioning six roads totalling about 65 km in the area councils. So, anyone saying we are focusing only on the city is not telling the truth. The truth is that the attention we give to the city is the same attention we give to the area councils.
“But of course, you know the city reflects how the place will be. If foreigners visit the city and it does not look good, it creates a negative impression. If the city is in bad shape, you can imagine what will happen in the rural areas. So, we owe it to ourselves to ensure Abuja competes favourably with other cities worldwide.”
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, said Nigeria will need an estimated $3 trillion over the next 30 years to bridge its infrastructure gap and achieve the level of development required for sustained economic growth.
He noted that the road network, power supply, housing, healthcare, and education sectors are among the areas urgently needing attention.
“In the Federal Capital Territory, with its unique status as the seat of government, developing infrastructure is not only an economic necessity but also a reflection of our national aspirations.
“It is common knowledge that Nigeria, like many other developing nations, has an infrastructure deficit. Recent estimates indicate that Nigeria needs to invest about $3 trillion over the next 30 years to close the infrastructure gap and achieve sustained economic growth. The road network, power supply, housing, healthcare, and education sectors are among the areas urgently requiring attention.
“Here in Abuja, the infrastructure deficit is more glaring as the city’s population continues to grow at an annual rate of 5%. This puts pressure on existing facilities and underscores the need for more access roads, housing, and essential services to meet residents’ needs.”
He commended the FCT minister and his team for their transformative leadership since assuming office, noting that the minister had hit the ground running by initiating projects that address the city’s critical needs.
“From road construction to urban renewal programs, his dedication to enhancing the FCT’s infrastructure is evident. We have witnessed several flag-offs, not just as ceremonial acts but as milestones in the commitment to make Abuja a world-class city.
“The ongoing rehabilitation of major roads, the clearing of illegal structures, and the focus on environmental sustainability all demonstrate the Honourable Minister’s vision of an Abuja that is both beautiful and functional. I am confident that with the completion of this access road and other ongoing projects, residents and visitors alike will feel the positive impacts of these developments.”
