By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has said his administration will construct 10,000 houses for Abuja low income earners in 2025.
He stated this during the ongoing Ministerial sectoral update to mark the first year in office of the president Bola Tinubu administration, held at the Radio House in Abuja, on Thursday.
Wike said the housing scheme which will be called ‘Renewed Hope City’ is captured in the next budget, 2025.
“In our next budget, we want to build the new hope city, to the tune of about 10,000 houses we are going to provide infrastructure that has to do with housing.
“In our next budget, we want to build a Renewed Hope City. This is for affordable houses, not for the big men
“We are going to provide infrastructure, build and allocate the houses to the poor”
The minister also disclosed that the Abuja Metro Light Rail will operate free for two months, after its commissioning on Monday, the 27th of May, 2024.
He had earlier stated that the president, Bola Tinubu will commission the Metro rail project for commercial activities on Monday.
Wike advised residents to begin use of the Metro rails from Tuesday, the 28th of May, adding that the goal was to aid the ease of commuting for residents and that the president may decide to extend the free train rides to 6 months.
The minister also called on the Abuja Municipal Area Council AMAC) to allow the FCT Administration to collect the revenue in the city, so as to avoid double taxation and harassment by touts.
“On harassment by touts because of revenue collection and others. We have called and sat down with the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) group, and told them that the only way to allow decency in the collection of revenue, is that we have to sit with them, form a committee and have an account where the revenue comes to the FCTA, and they collect their own share.
“By doing so, you will reduce touting, harassment, and double taxation. And they have agreed. After all, the law allows them to take 10 percent of our IGR.”
