Wike assures diplomats of continued security, enabling environment in Abuja

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured members of the diplomatic community in Abuja of the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining an enabling environment for their operations, particularly in the area of security.

Wike gave the assurance on Wednesday at the European Union Complex, Abuja, during the Saint Patrick’s Day reception and official opening of the new Embassy of Ireland. The event was attended by Ireland’s Minister of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Mr. Jack Chamber, the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Peter Ryan, and other members of the diplomatic corps.

“For us here, we owe you a duty to make sure that we create the right environment,” the minister said. “I want to assure you that we want to make Abuja look like other capital cities in the 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 the fact that things have improved in Abuja since this administration came on board. We will keep improving every day.”

According to him, President Bola Tinubu’s administration was working assiduously to transform Abuja into a world-class capital city comparable with other major capitals across the globe.

Wike, who congratulated the Irish Ambassador on the Saint Patrick’s Day celebration and the commissioning of the new embassy, said he attended the event as the “landlord” of Abuja.

“I am not representing the Federal Government. I am not 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 Saint Patrick’s Day and the commissioning of this beautiful edifice,” he said.

The minister also hinted at possible plans to visit Ireland soon. “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, a former NBA President, OCJ Okocha. I think God knows why I didn’t go. But, now that someone I know very well, whose pedigree and capacity I can vouch for has been appointed as the Ambassador, this should be the right time to visit Ireland,” he stated.

He further called on foreign embassies with land allocations in the FCT to ensure prompt development of such properties.

“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,” he said.

“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,” the minister added.