By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has given a (15) months ultimatum to contractor handling the construction of Judges’ quarters at Katampe District in Abuja.
He insisted that the project must be delivered in line with the standards and conditions contained in the contract they entered into.
Wike gave the deadline at the flag off of design and construction of (40) units Judges’ quarters on Monday.
He said providing accomodation for the judges would help them work without interference and maintain their integrity.
Wike who expressed the determination of President Bola Tinubu to improve on the living conditions of the judges said the independence of the Judiciary is of serious concern to the administration.
He said; “Mr President had always said, how do we work for the independence of the Judiciary? How can the Judiciary be independent? And he has always said, one of the things that guarantees the independence of the judiciary is one, the tenure of judicial officers. Just like what the Minister of Justice and Attorney General said, the president has done that by amending the constitution to see all judicial officers at least retire at the age of 70.
“Mr President has also said, the conditions of service is critical to the independence of the judiciary. If you want to insulate the Judiciary from manipulation, from interference of either the Legislature or the Executive, what is important is the conditions of service, one which has to do with their remuneration. Of course, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General has said that one of the first things that Mr President did was to amend the salaries and allowances of judicial officers in 2024, which was just assented to by Mr. President. That, of course, is to give them hope. It is to make sure that the allowances and salaries are up to the level that they can say yes or no.
“Another condition of service that is very, very critical in insulating the Judiciary from interference is Housing. Every man needs Housing. So also judicial officers. And so Mr. President said, listen, it is not every time we talk about who supports the independence of the judiciary. We must show it in practice. We must show in action that we were indeed not saying so, but we are doing so. People can see that we are seriously doing that and Mr President said, we must, at all times, provide Housing, but that can only be better if you have owner-occupier. And so, every judge will know that at the end of the day, as he or she is retiring from office, he or she has a home.
“With that, it will be difficult for anybody to manipulate or interfere. When you have a home, what are you afraid of? When you know that salaries and allowances can be paid when you are retired, when you know that your tenure of office is guaranteed, then you will be firm. Anybody would be courageous to do his work or her work. And that is what Mr President, his legal agenda, is doing, not merely talking, but showing in action”, he added.
On his part, the Managing Director of the construction company, Akor Adapoyi said, the project which cover 5.2 hectare land has 40 housing units into three (3) sections;ten (10) units for the Cout of Appeal, ten (10) units for the Federal High Court and twenty (20) units for the FCT High Court.
Adapoyi said: “Overall, we are tasked with constructing and furnishing the following:
40 units of 5-Bedroom Duplexes
40 units of 3-Bedroom Boys Quarters
3 event centers,3 coner shops, 3 power generating plants, Water treatment plants,
3 houses Playgrounds in the 3 sections and the associated infrastructure of the property, which includes the internal road network, dedicated transformers, services and landscaping”
According to him, ” each 5-bedroom duplex comprises spacious and tastefully furnished main, private & family lounges, study, 5 rooms all ensuite, spacious kitchen, ante room, and 4-car parking spaces”.
