FCT Minister vows improved security, infrastructure for residents
Hudu Yakubu, Abuja
The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has pledged enhanced security measures and increased infrastructure development for the residents of the federal capital, Abuja.
Wike made this commitment during a press briefing following a private meeting with senators at the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to information gathered by Voice of Nigeria, the Senate had summoned the Minister and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to provide an overview of the strategies implemented to ensure the safety of FCT residents.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the productive dialogue, noting that Senators unanimously acknowledged the critical importance of security in the FCT.
“I am glad they are all happy with what we have done, what we are going to be doing and they provided some suggestions on ways forward.
“What is important is what the FCT should expect from now. I will say improved security, more infrastructure. You can see what is going on in the FCT. It has been turned into a construction site.
“You can also see what has happened in the FCTA. Now we have our own Civil Service Commission; now we have our own Permanent Secretaries which has never been. There are new things in the FCT, and the residents are happy,” Wike said.
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He noted that no society exists without one form of crime or the other, adding that what was critical was being able to limit or reduce the level of insecurity.
On the spate of kidnappings, the minister said, “Most of the kidnapping stories you hear, some of them are stage-managed by people. There are some internal arrangements.
“Take for example, you have a housekeeper or a driver in the house who will plot to kidnap the child of their boss. In such a case, what do you expect us to do?
“What we can do is to ensure that the person that is kidnapped is released,” he said.
The minister said that the two most wanted kidnappers terrorising residents of the FCT have been arrested, adding that the development has reduced the level of kidnappings in Abuja.
“We are not saying we have gotten to where we want to be, but we are doing a lot and people should acknowledge that what used to be is not what we are seeing now.
“We will continue to do our best to ensure that we provide the best to our people.
“We cannot give you the assurance that there will be no form of criminality, nobody can do that, as long as we are humans,” the minister said.
