Wike, Alake, Oyetola resume in new ministries share plans

Nyesom Wike, Dele Alake and Gboyega Oyetola on Monday resumed as Ministers of Federal Capital Territory, Solid Minerals, and Marine and Blue Economy after they were sworn in by President Bola Tinubu at the State House Conference Centre.

Speaking with journalists after resumption, Wike promised to return the nation’s capital to it’s original master plan, threatening to demolish any building obstructing the master plan.

“People who are distorting the master plan of Abuja, too bad… Refuse everywhere. Those being paid for refuse collection, what are they doing? So, we must also sit down to look at different ways of waste disposal. It is very key. All those people distorting the master plan of Abuja, too bad.. if you know you have built where you are not supposed to build, it will go down, be you a minister or an ambassador.

“If you know you have developed where you are not supposed to develop your house must go down. Those who have taken over the green area to build, sorry the green area must come back. So, If you know you have anybody who is involved, anyone that has taken over the green areas and the parks to restaurants, we won’t accept that. Sorry, if your father or your mother has done that, there is nothing I can do.

“The period of land racketeering is over; those government has given C of O and they refuse to develop, the land is gone. I’m going to revoke them. We will take back the land and give it to those who want to develop. Those of you who also have refused to pay your ground rent. non-payment of ground rent is a breach of covenant. Abuja needs money too. The source of the revenue includes ground rent. So, if you have not paid, I won’t be tired to revoke,” Wike said.

Alake who also spoke with journalists upon resumption, said his team is set to implement President Tinubu’s directive in line with the mandate of the sector.

He said that he has a roadmap to be unveil in the days ahead for the sector.

Alake said: “Having worked with Mr. President in his cabinet as a commissioner for eight years, I understood what results are, and we are here to achieve results. I believe we can do it with all hands on deck.”

“We won’t allow bottlenecks to stifled our set goals, it’s either you shape in or you ship out. If you can really sit down to listen, you would understand that, Hydrocarbon is fading out and the attention of the world is shifting to solid minerals. So, we must get it right.”

Also, the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, said it was time to move the country to the G-20 industrialized nations.

He said, “The mandate of Mr. President is to ensure that we get it right in the steel sector and as a young ministry, we would work towards the production of steel in the country in no distance time. We are set to kick start the Ajaokuta steel machine and Nigeria can not afford to fail in steel production.”

In his remark, Oyetola said his vision is rooted in the responsible management and utilisation of the country’s marine resources to turn around the economy.

He added that part of his vision was to ensure that inland rivers, lakes, and waterways are well utilized, both in terms of cargo shipment and passenger transportation.

According to him, “the global level Blue Economy is estimated at more than 1.5 trillion dollars annually, and I urge stakeholders to seize the opportunity and become a significant player in the industry.”

Oyetola also called for collaboration and teamwork among all stakeholders and agencies, adding that teamwork would help maximize the benefits of Nigeria’s vast coastal resources.

He said: “I strongly believe in the power of collaboration, and dedication to service. The collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal can only be efficient and effective through team work. This is why I crave your indulgence that we must work as a team to deliver on our mandate. Let us work together to find innovative solutions to the challenges we face, ensuring that our oceans and marine life are safe, reliable, and sustainable.

“Our oceans cover more than two-thirds of our planet’s surface, holding the key to sustainable economic growth, environmental preservation, and technological innovation. As we look ahead, my vision is rooted in the responsible management and utilisation of our marine resources to benefit not only our economy but also the health of our planet.”

“We must come up with practicable ways of ensuring that our inland rivers, lakes, and waterways are well utilised, both in terms of cargo shipment and passenger transportation. And this can be done by embarking on a holistic dredging campaign for most of our strategically important inland waterways so as to make them navigable for the passage of goods and people.

“We equally have a duty to promote better inter-agency cooperation and coordination between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority.

“We must seize this opportunity to create positive change, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come. I appreciate your dedication, and I look forward to working alongside each of you in the pursuit of a better Nigeria,” he concluded.