City Walk To Replace Failed Tech Village As Wike Slams Ground Rent Defaulters

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Abuja City Walk, modeled after Dubai’s iconic urban boulevard, will replace the long-abandoned Abuja Technology Village, whose land allocations were recently revoked due to non-performance and alleged land racketeering.

Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Monday, Wike accused the supposed developers of the Abuja Technology Village of using the land for commercial rent and storage purposes instead of fulfilling their original development commitments.

“The FCTA provided the infrastructure for more than 20 years, and nothing has been done. You go there, they have rented out the place, you see where NNPC tankers are parked, and they collect money. So many people are now claiming to have C of Os. I said okay, I must resolve this problem. There is nothing called Abuja Technology Village,” he said.

Wike revealed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with a private investor for the Abuja City Walk project, which will feature high-end retail spaces, leisure spots, and international-standard infrastructure.

“We are privileged to have travelled. Then when you go to some of these cities, you say, wow! What is difficult that we cannot replicate these in our cities too?” the Minister asked, adding that ”These are cities that you can find everything that improves the lives of the people and then will improve the economy and create jobs.”

According to Wike, performance clauses have been embedded in the agreement to ensure compliance, and the first phase of the multi-billion-dollar investment is expected to be commissioned next year.

The Minister announced a new policy that mandates clear development timelines for landowners, adding that failure to build will result in forfeiture of land back to the FCT Administration. He noted that this will crackdown on dormant land holdings.

On the controversy surrounding the revoked University of Abuja land, Wike insisted that the institution still retain over 4,000 hectares—more than adequate space for academic development.

“They’ve not developed the land for years. People say it’s full of rocks. But the EFCC academy is there now. Other developments are springing up,” he said.

Wike highlighted that the recently reopened Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, formerly Abuja International Conference Center has generated N1.2bn in just one month, an increase from the N50m it previously remitted annually.

He said, “This is what we talk about when we say proper management. This facility is now contributing meaningfully to the government’s revenue.”

Responding to criticisms that the FCTA’s development is overly focused on infrastructure, the minister defended the ongoing investments in education, roads, and rural projects.

Wike said, “We’re not saying we’ve done everything. But we are doing what will at least make a difference in the lives of the people, and that’s the whole point of governance.”

He further invited journalists to tour rural schools and witness ongoing rehabilitations.

He announced plans to commission ten completed schools in remote communities and reaffirmed the FCTA’s support for education, including teacher remuneration, despite funding constraints in Area Councils.

Wike also issued a final warning to ground rent defaulters, lamenting that many property owners had ignored the two-week grace period earlier granted by President Tinubu.

“Mr. President said two weeks; we are now more than three months. That is Nigeria for you,” he said, noting that “If you have not complied, if you have not paid, we are going to seal it up.”

He expressed outrage that the wealthy continue to default on basic obligations while expecting government services, “You can’t deny us the taxes we use for development. Pay us the taxes that you are supposed to pay, and you say ‘No’?”

Wike noted that the FCTA had previously sealed the PDP headquarters (Wadata Plaza) and nearly 4,800 other properties over ground rent defaults spanning 10 to 43 years.

While addressing the political situation in Rivers State, Wike said the six-month emergency rule may not be extended.

He disclosed that President Tinubu had issued a new directive mandating the conduct of local government elections within 30 days, to replace the previous 360-day emergency window.

“The President is not comfortable with dragging this arrangement. A new regulation has been signed in July, compelling council polls within a month,” he said.

He stated that the acting state administrator, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, will supervise the elections to restore democracy to the grassroots.

On national politics, Wike reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP but maintained his controversial support for APC’s Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections, which he justified as a matter of conviction.

He said, “I didn’t support Atiku because I believed Tinubu would win. He has the courage to take decisions. Look at fuel subsidy—he removed it despite all odds.”

While reacting to President Tinubu’s remark that the PDP is a “sinking ship” and ex-Governor Ayo Fayose’s claim that the party is a “carcass,” Wike acknowledged internal party failures but rejected the “carcass” tag.

“PDP has failed to put its house in order, and I said it before. But I won’t leave the party for buccaneers and vampires,” the minister said.

He dismissed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition as a gathering of political nomads, “These are people who move from one party to another, seeking power for personal interest. Now they say they want to rescue Nigeria? Based on what track record?”

On issue of ongoing governance, Wike acknowledged that not all problems can be fixed overnight but emphasised that the Tinubu administration is focused on delivering projects that tangibly improve citizens’ lives.

“I will not say here that every problem has been solved. All problems cannot be solved, even if this government stays for 20 years. But government is solving problems that at least will help to improve the lives of people.”

He urged the media to work with the FCTA in tracking progress, especially in rural areas.

City Walk To Replace Failed Tech Village As Wike Slams Ground Rent Defaulters is first published on The Whistler Newspaper