- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has charged embassies to develop lands allocated to them in the FCT.
Wike gave the charge while speaking at the European Union Complex, Abuja, during the Saint Patrick’s Day Reception and official opening of the new Embassy of Ireland on Wednesday.
As quoted in a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister recounted his intervention in cases of land grabbers building homes on land allocated to embassies.
“You saw what happened recently when land allocated to embassies was cornered by a land grabber, who was building houses on the land because the embassies didn’t develop it.
“Of course you know me very well, the law must take its course. We had to tell them enough is enough.
“My face may not be liked by many people, I don’t care, I will continue to do what is right.
“We have written to the embassies to come and collect their land back and develop it.” He said.
Meanwhile, Wike assured the diplomatic community in Abuja that the government will continue to ensure an enabling environment for them to carry out their duties, especially in terms of security.
He affirmed that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working assiduously to make Abuja to look like other capital cities in world.
“For us here, we owe you a duty to make sure that we create the right environment. I want to assure you that we want to make Abuja to look like other capital cities in world.
“We will continue to provide an enabling environment to carry out your duties, especially in terms of security. Of course you will attest to it that things have improved in Abuja since this administration came on board. We will keep improving everyday.
“Also, we are willing to partner with you to see how the relationship with Nigeria continue to grow,” Wike said.
The Minister congratulated the Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria on the Saint Patrick’s Day and official opening of the new Embassy building.
He said; “I am not representing the Federal Government. I am not representing representing the Foreign Affairs Ministry. I am here as the FCT Minister and I am here to speak as your landlord. Let me congratulate you on the Saint Patrick’s Day and commissioning of this beautiful edifice.”
Hinting on the possibility of visiting Ireland soon, Wike said; “I have met the Ambassador once or twice, when he visited my office and he has been luring me to visit Ireland.
“Luckily again, the new Ambassador Designate to Ireland is my uncle and my leader from my local government. He is former NBA President, OCJ Okocha.
“I think God knows why I didn’t go since. But now that someone I know very well, whose pedigree and capacity l can vouch for has been appointed as the Ambassador, this should be the right time to visit the Ireland.”
The event was attended by the Republic of Ireland’s Minister of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Mr Jack Chamber, Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Peter Ryan, and other members of the diplomatic community.