The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has narrated how former Attorney General of the Federation and former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, cleverly secured his commitment to execute a major infrastructure project around the Body of Benchers complex in Abuja.
Wike made the revelation on Monday during the commissioning of the newly completed Body of Benchers Building in Abuja, one of the projects inaugurated as part of activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
According to the FCT minister, the request was made publicly during the last Call to Bar ceremony, which he attended because his son was among those being admitted into the legal profession.
Recalling the incident, Wike said Awomolo had taken advantage of his presence at the event to appeal for the construction of an additional access road and an annex office to ease traffic congestion around the facility.
“The former Chairman and Chief Justice took advantage again during the last Call to Bar where I was present because my son was called to bar, unknown to me he had set trap,” Wike said.
He continued, > “While he was reading his address he said, ‘We have our landlord here, so let us take the advantage that he is here to find a way to decongest the traffic situation.’ He said we should construct another road which is along this area.”
The minister disclosed that the road project has since been completed and is scheduled for inauguration by the Vice President.
“My Lord, I want to say that on the 8th, which is next tomorrow, that road will be commissioned by the Vice President of Nigeria. Another opportunity again was given to us when I did the entire stretch of the road,” he stated.
Wike also revealed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, had commended his swift response to requests from the judiciary and the media.
According to him, Akume asked why he never hesitated whenever projects involving the judiciary or media were presented.
Responding, Wike said: > “I said, ‘Sir, when it’s your own time don’t do, but now is our own period I have to utilize it so that when I go out nobody will ask me, while you were here, what did you do?'”
The FCT minister attributed the execution of the projects to President Bola Tinubu’s directive to improve infrastructure in the nation’s capital.
He also assured the leadership of the Body of Benchers of his continued support, saying:
“This is one of the directives that Mr President has made. I want to thank you for the support and I want to say that Mr Chairman, now we are here, if you have any request let us know on time and we are going to support you.”
