“I’m happy to announce to you that the Minister of Finance has been able to release 50 percent of the National Supplementary budget, and that in a way, has given us hope that the contractors would be paid anytime from now.”
This was the assurance given today, January 4, by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during his inspection of the ongoing capital projects in the capital city.
Wike said that his administration has already received 50 percent of its N100 billion 2023 supplementary budget, following the directive of the President to the Minister of Finance to make the payment.
According to him, availability of funds has given the hope that the contractors would be paid soon.
He made it clear that no project would be left uncompleted in the FCT as promised.
“We have also gotten the assent of the statutory supplementary budget which Mr. President assented to. That again has given us hope that no project will be left uncompleted as promised.”
The projects which the minister inspected include the expansion of the Outer Northern Expressway from Villa Roundabout to OSEX/Ring Road I (RRI) Junction, including four numbers of interchanges, being handled by the C.G.C Nig. Ltd; the Full scope Development of Arterial Road N20 from Northern Parkway to ONEX with spurs being undertaken by Gilmor and the official residence of the Vice President being undertaken by Julius Berger (Nig.PLC)
According to Wike, the inspection tour was informed by the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to give account of their activities and achievements on a monthly basis.
“The holidays are over and Mr. President has given a marching order when he assented to the 2024 budget that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) must give account of what they are doing and what they are able to achieve and I believe just as I’m here, so also other Ministers in their various offices are also carrying out their jobs.”
The Minister noted with satisfaction the quality of work at the various sites visited and commended the contractors for their efforts and commitment.
He expressed confidence that the projects would be completed within the agreed time scheduled, adding that all promises made in the FCT will be fulfilled.
“As you can see, these are quality projects and we are very satisfied with what we have seen and we believe with the arrangements the contractors have made and put in place, these are things that would be commissioned during the President’s first year in office.
“I’m sure residents of Abuja have seen a different thing. No promise made that will not be fulfilled. All promises made will be fulfilled and we also want to commend the residents of Abuja for the support they have given to us.”

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has threatened to sack any commissioner or appointtee that cannot perform to his satisfaction.
The Governor, who apparently read riot act to members of the State Executive Council, at the Council’s weekly meeting today, December 3, said that he has set up what he called “secret monitoring and evaluating unit” for quarterly performance review of cabinet members.
The Governor insisted on his appointtees redoubling their efforts in service delivery to the people.
“We should note particularly that 2024 is a critical year for this administration.
“By December, we will be reaching the mid-term. We must move fast in the implementation of our sectoral plans. You all must work hard in your various ministries to achieve set goals.
“Kindly be informed that I have set up a discreet Monitoring and Evaluation Team to prepare quarterly reports on Ministries and assess performance of members of the cabinet. Even though you did not sign a performance bond on assumption of office, you will henceforth be evaluated on your service delivery.
“We will not hesitate to remove from office any appointee that fails to deliver based on Monitoring and Evaluation reports.
“As we commence the 2024 governance activities, I call on cabinet members to maintain a united front. The Cabinet is one united family with equal rights and privileges for members. That is a settled matter in line with best practices. There must be an immediate end to rivalry and segregation within the Cabinet.
“I also want to urge cabinet members to focus on serious state matters rather than lobbying around issues of personal benefits. I have told you all, times without numbers, before and after your appointment, that we need to make sacrifices. We must offer what we can do for our state, not asking what our state can do for us. That is the path of patriots.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arrested and detained the suspended National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu.
Her arrest came a few hours after President Bola Tinubu approved her suspension over the suspicious movement of N17 billion from NSIPA account to other accounts within one week.
The embattled CEO was accused of approving payment of billions of naira by the agency without presidential approval. It was gathered that operatives of the EFCC, who were drafted to the National Coordinator’s private office and home, got her arrested at about 8 pm today, January 3. According to The Nation, after searching her home and office, Halima was taken into custody for interrogation.
It was also gathered that the EFCC was closing in on a director of the agency, who was allegedly complicit in the huge payments into the suspicious accounts. According to reports, about 27 billion have been recovered so far.