Wike okays police stations, N5.7bn power project, hospital upgrades

• 67 FCT courtrooms for digitalisation

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has approved the construction of new divisional police stations across the territory, a N5.7 billion electricity project in Bwari Area Council and the rehabilitation and upgrading of 14 general hospitals.

The approvals were among major decisions taken at the 19th meeting of the FCT Executive Council, presided over by Wike and attended by the Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud.

The council also approved the resumption of work on the long-abandoned Utako General Hospital, with plans to complete, equip and staff the facility.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Chidi Amadi, said the council considered 20 memoranda submitted by various secretariats, departments and agencies.

Other approvals included the digitalisation of 67 courtrooms of the FCT High Court, provision of examination materials for public schools and infrastructure projects in satellite towns.

On security, Director of the FCTA Security Services Department, Adamu Gwary, said the council approved the construction of a divisional police station at Wasa Informal Sector ahead of the planned relocation of mechanics and artisans from Apo.

Gwary said the six-month project followed Wike’s directive to strengthen security in the area ahead of increased economic activities expected from the relocation.

He said the Wasa station formed part of the administration’s plan to bring policing closer to rural and developing communities.

According to him, two divisional police stations would be built in each of the six area councils, bringing the proposed number to 12.

He disclosed that two stations at Ushafa and Saburi had already been completed, furnished and handed over, with each having a furnished six-man staff quarters.

On healthcare, Mandate Secretary of the Health Secretariat and Environmental Services, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the council approved the immediate renovation, rehabilitation and upgrading of all 14 general hospitals in the territory.

She said the intervention would include procurement of medical equipment, X-ray machines and diagnostic materials, as well as upgrading of hospital theatres.

Fasawe also disclosed that Wike had directed the immediate resumption of work on the Utako General Hospital, which had been abandoned for years.

She said the project would cover construction, equipping and staffing of the hospital to improve access to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for residents.

The health secretary added that the administration had continued to meet its financial obligations to health insurance providers and Health Maintenance Organisations through payment of premiums and capitation.

In the power sector, the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) secured approval for a N5.703 billion contract for construction of a 33KVA power supply line from Dawaki to Tukulo and surrounding villages in Bwari Area Council.

STDD Coordinator, Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said the contract was awarded to CGC Nigeria Limited, with an eight-month completion period.

The council also ratified two completed road projects in satellite towns, including the Gaba-Tukulo Road and a two-span river bridge in Bwari Area Council.

The road and bridge project was executed by Setraco Nigeria Limited for N8.219 billion, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT.

The second project, rehabilitation of the Paikon Kore-Ibuwa Road in Gwagwalada Area Council, was also executed by Setraco Nigeria Limited at N8.890 billion, inclusive of VAT.

Zulkiflu said both projects, which had 12-month completion periods, had been completed and commissioned.

In the justice sector, the council approved the digitalisation of the FCT High Court, covering about 67 courtrooms across its judicial divisions.

General Counsel, Salman Dako, said the project would replace manual recording and physical filing with electronic court recording and digital case-management systems.

He said the initiative would address challenges associated with handwritten records and manual documentation, adding that implementation was expected to commence immediately, with noticeable improvements targeted within two weeks.

The Education Secretariat also secured approval for two contracts to provide examination materials for pupils and students in public primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools.

Mandate Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, said the approval was part of efforts to improve public education through school renovation, better classroom facilities and provision of instructional materials.

He said improvements in public school infrastructure had encouraged some parents to withdraw their children from private schools and enrol them in public schools.

Hayyo added that the examination materials would ensure smooth conduct of examinations across public schools in the territory.

The Department of Land Administration also secured approval for three memoranda aimed at improving operations and strengthening revenue collection.

Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said the council approved procurement of utility vehicles and integrated information and communications technology infrastructure for the department.

The ICT upgrade would include desktop computers, workstations, display screens, scanners, network switches, fibre-optic connections, data-centre servers, monitoring systems and cooling facilities.

The council also ratified the award of a contract for printing customised revenue receipt booklets with enhanced security features to prevent alterations and fraudulent practices.

Nwankwoeze said the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company would handle the printing.

On environmental management, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council secured approval for six memoranda, five for ratification and one for fresh approval.

Acting Coordinator of AMMC, Mary Ahmadu, said the approvals would facilitate maintenance works across the capital, particularly in waterways and areas affected by environmental challenges.

She identified indiscriminate refuse disposal as a major contributor to blocked waterways and flooding in parts of the FCT.

The FCT Water Board also secured approval for two memoranda, including procurement of powdered chlorine, known as high-test hypochlorite, for water treatment.

Acting General Manager of the board, Chinyere Elechi, said the chemical was essential for disinfecting water and eliminating disease-causing microorganisms before distribution to consumers.

She said adequate water treatment was necessary to prevent waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid and dysentery.

The second approval concerned renewal of insurance for facilities associated with the Lower Usman Dam Treatment Plant.