FCT news
FCT Minister Urged To Tackle Contract Fraud, Abandoned Projects
… As PWD community calls for special consideration
Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has been urged to implement systems to tackle fraud in contract awards and abandoned projects littered in the territory.
The community of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the FCT has lamented difficulties in accessing public and private infrastructures and the impact of demolitions on its members.
Program Manager at Priests Peace and Justice Initiative, Dr Agbaji Orinya, led the call for the former Rivers State Governor to ensure transparency of contract awards and procurement in FCT during an anti-corruption radio program, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, and Wednesday in Abuja.
Orinya, who stressed that corruption has continued to bedevil the development of public infrastructure of the FCT, however, identified issues of transparency in contract awards, project execution, poor service delivery by contractors, and embezzlement of funds in some instances as the bane of development of the nation’s capital and its environs.
He called on the FCT Minister to ensure adherence to the procurement process designated by the Law regarding contract variations. At the same time, she urged citizens to ask questions and hold leaders to account.
On what the FCT Minister must do to combat contracting corruption in FCT, Orinya said: “The Minister (Nyesom Wike) should put a system in place that will make corrupt transactions difficult. There should be a portal where people can verify what project is supposed to be in a particular area. There should be a proper evaluation mechanism, which will make them deliver projects.
“It’s about transparency and accountability. The public should know how much has been approved for a particular project. They (citizens) need to know the nature of each project within their environment so that they can ask questions.
“We have a procurement process – where you have to identify projects, plan projects, there is a process for approval and funding. Are we following this process in awarding contracts by law,” he questioned.
On her part, a Human Rights lawyer, Mary Musa, pleaded with Nyesom Wike and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to consider the plight of PWDs as demolition of buildings is expected to intensify under his watch.
Musa, who noted that PWDs are impacted heavily by systemic corruption, claimed that the PWD community in the Karonmajigi area of the FCT was not notified before the latest demolition of structures in the area, leaving many of them stranded.
“If we look at the precedent of the FCT Minister from River State, we know what he did regarding the physical environment. We are very optimistic, but we just want him not to give up, but consider especially persons with disabilities as the demolition is going on and as new structures are coming up in the FCT”.
She decried the failure of government and private establishments to comply with provisions of the Disability Act of 2019, hence urging the FCTA to make the territory accessible to PWDs.
“How many bridges in Abuja can you assess if you were in a wheelchair? Truthfully, how many road sidewalks can you assess if you were blind? How many buildings are accessible; even governments, buildings, how many are accessible,” Musa queried.
FCT residents who phoned into the radio program lamented the spate of abandoned projects and called for rapid development of the satellite towns, which would, in turn, decongest Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Recall Wike had recently condemned the abuse of contract variation in the territory, pointing out that the case of the Ushafa-Bwari Road contract, which was varied from N50 billion to N200 billion, is unacceptable. He also warned contractors handling projects and FCT’s team of engineers against contract variations.
Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program PRIMORG uses to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.
The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.
FCT news
Alhaji Solademi Unveiled as PCRC FCT Patron for Safe School Initiative
Joel Ajayi
High Chief Alhaji Abdulmajid Solademi has been formally unveiled and inducted as the Patron of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) FCT Safe School initiative.
The unveiling took place during the official launch of the PCRC Safe School programme on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the FCT Police Command, Old CBN Road, Garki, Abuja.
Solademi, who is also the Chairman of Air Warriors Basketball Club of Abuja and Chairman/CEO of Yajifarz Cargo, was honoured in recognition of his commitment to community development, youth empowerment and support for initiatives aimed at promoting a safer society.
The ceremony was led by the National Chairman of the PCRC, Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, alongside the PCRC FCT Command Chairman, Chief Rufus Ebegba, and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Prof. Sanusi Mohammed.
The launch of the Safe School initiative is aimed at strengthening security within educational institutions and promoting closer collaboration among the police, schools, parents, communities and other stakeholders in protecting students, teachers and learning facilities.
Speaking after his unveiling, Solademi expressed deep appreciation to the leadership of the PCRC and the FCT Police Command for finding him worthy of the appointment.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled by this recognition and the confidence reposed in me to serve as the PCRC FCT Safe School Patron,” he said.
“Education remains the foundation of every progressive society, and our children deserve to learn in an environment where they feel safe, protected and free to pursue their dreams.
“I accept this responsibility with a strong sense of duty and commitment. I will work closely with the PCRC, the Nigeria Police Force, educational institutions, parents and relevant stakeholders to support every genuine effort aimed at ensuring the safety and security of our schools.
“As someone who has remained passionate about youth development through sports and other empowerment initiatives, I understand the importance of creating opportunities and safe spaces for young people to grow and realise their full potential.
“This appointment is not just an honour; it is a call to service. I pledge to use my experience, network and resources to support the Safe School initiative and contribute meaningfully to the protection of our children and the future of our nation.”
Solademi also commended the PCRC for its continued commitment to fostering cooperation between the police and members of the public.
The PCRC Safe School initiative forms part of the organisation’s broader commitment to service to the nation and humanity, with a focus on strengthening community participation in security and supporting efforts to create safer learning environments across the Federal Capital Territory.
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