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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed disappointment over the large area of land given to the University of Abuja that remains undeveloped.
Wike said the lack of progress is not acceptable.
Wike stated this on Friday while speaking to reporters during a visit to the road leading to the EFCC Academy in Giri, which is on the university’s land.
This was contained in a statement by his media aide, Anthony Ogunleye, on Friday.
He questioned why the university took more than 10,000 hectares when most of it hasn’t been used.
“This tour has also opened our eyes as to the kind of land that the University of Abuja has acquired. It’s not acceptable. You can’t deny development, I don’t know where a university will go and take over 10,000 hectares of land; for what purpose?” the statement reads.
The minister pointed out that many universities with less land have better infrastructure. He said the focus should be on quality buildings and facilities, not just how much land is owned.
“What makes a university is not the large expanse of land. What makes a university is the infrastructure quality. It’s not about land. You can have 20,000 hectares of land, but if the university does not have any infrastructure, what does it help?” he added.
Wike also warned that the FCT Administration will no longer tolerate land being taken and left unused.
He said that land not being developed will be taken back and given to those ready to build on it.
“We must stop this idea of just acquiring land for acquiring sake. That is not the essence of it. If they give you land, you develop it. If you don’t develop it, the government will take it back and give it to those who want to develop. That is our position,” the minister said.
He also criticised the Nigerian Police for not using the land allocated to them in the same area.
However, he expressed hope that the new road project would encourage more development in the area.
During his inspection of other projects, Wike visited the 15-kilometre Outer Southern Expressway leading to Wassa.
The road is being built by China Geo-engineering Corporation and the minister said he was impressed with the speed and quality of the work.
“We are very happy with what we have seen and the quality of jobs that are being carried out. We believe, to the glory of God, that Mr. President will also be happy when he comes to inaugurate these projects,” he said.
Wike assured that the FCT Administration is committed to finishing all projects on time, especially ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.
“This administration of Mr. President does not believe in abandoned projects. Any contract given must be completed for people to use,” he stated, adding that contractors would continue to get government support.
