Newly-sworn-in Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assumed office with a warning to all those doing the wrong things in the nation’s capital to sit up.
Wike and 44 other Ministers were inaugurated on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former two-term Governor of Rivers State told newsmen at a briefing that it would not be business as usual in the FCT.
He said he has come to restore sanity to all spheres of life in Abuja.
The former Minister of Education in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan said sanity must return to the nation’s capital, no matter who will be affected in the process.
Wike, who spoke in his office, touched on waste collection and disposal, restoration of green areas, payment of ground rent and land racketeering among others.
On waste disposal, the former Governor said new ways of managing the system must be developed.
He also warned those who have been distorting the master plan of Abuja, saying: “If you build where you are not supposed to build, it must go down, be it whoever you are.”
He promised to address the staff of the FCT Administration on Tuesday on several issues, including restoration of green areas.
He said: “If you hate green, you must hate yourself.
“You can’t take over green areas and parks to build restaurants, it will go down.”
On land racketeering and speculation, Wike said those who have been given Certificates of Occupancy, but have now turned land speculators because they want to sell the land they bought for N200 million at N2 billion and above will have him to contend with.
He said the government will revoke such Certificates of Occupancy and give it to those ready to build with timelines.
On failure to pay ground rents, the Minister of the FCT said it will no longer be acceptable.
He said this was because ground rent remains a veritable source of income for the FCTA, adding: “Non-payment of ground rent is a breach of covenant.
“I don’t need to write you for you to pay.
“Abuja needs money too.
“And part of the revenue is ground rent.
“No none will be spared, banks o, big men o.
“I won’t be tired to revoke.
“That’s why I am here.”
