By Joseph Mekwunye
U
sain St. Leo Bolt is a retired Jamaican Sprinter, widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. He is the world record holder in the 100 meters and 200meters and 400 meters relay.
It is said that his knack for constant and regular workout and keep fit exercises help him to keep going fast for longer hours and because of his flexibility, his muscles are ready for big strides.
He also does Plyometrics exercises like Jumping and Sprinting drills which are key for his quick starts and fast acceleration.
He is never tired, always on training grounds, when his colleagues are resting and relishing good times in pubs and club houses.
Nyesom Wike, the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja can be likened to Usain Bolt: he is always in a hurry to take off on any project he sets his eyes on. He is also always in a hurry to get whatever project he embarks on completed with accuracy, quality and precision.
His take off, just like Usain Bolt, is wonderful; and Fantastic. From the first day he was inaugurated and sworn-in, he assumed office, immediately from the banquet hall in the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock.
He immediately read out his riot act, hinting the people of FCT of his intention to be at the forefront as Usain Bolt will do, but this time, in the pack of all appointed ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In this, he has proved himself worthy of bearing the name “Usain Bolt Minister”.
Any resident of FCT will bear witness to the fact that the Federal Capital City is wearing a “brand new look” and any visitor to and resident of Abuja, who is a Nigerian will be proud to be one. For the past few months one can’t believe that some of us like myself who have lived and have been driving on the streets of Abuja since 1997/98 to date can easily miss our way while driving on the streets of Abuja.
This is due to the incredible beautiful massive road network being constructed across the length and breadth of Abuja to ease traffic and make movement easy in the city.
Anyone can drive with a full cup of coffee on his or her dash board without it pouring due to the smooth and international standard resurfacing of the FCT highways and intractity roads. For some of us who have lived and driven cars in Abuja, we can attest to the fact that these roads were no more worthy as so many portions of the roads had either failed or was failing so quickly. In some areas, the drainages have been blocked beyond manual dredging that when it rains, the floods will render the roads impassable. Example is the Ladoke Akintola Boulevard in Garki 2, up to the Garki 2, market and the Herbert Macaulay way by the Wuse market. Today, if you ply these roads, you will think they were newly built or constructed. Thanks to the “Usain Bolt Minister” who is so determined and eager to see Abuja become a mega city and even better, to bear the resemblance of its counterparts in Europe and America. In the Usain Bolt Minister you can see a man who is eager, zealous and willing to replicate the beautiful things he sees in other developed climes. The Usain Bolt Minister has, within the first four weeks or less of his assumption of office visited and engaged all sectors, agencies and parastatals under his ministry.
He has also visited and engaged all security agencies and outfits in the FCT for collaboration and cooperation in the fight against crimes and criminalities. The activities of terrorists invading FCT communities, educational institutions, correctional centres has become almost a thing of the past. Kidnapping activities is fast reducing in FCT, robbery and murder being perpetrated by people pretending to be taxi drivers, popularly referred to as “one chance”, which was reported on daily basis has seized to make news headlines. Cattle and livestock rustlers which were gradually crippling into FCT has been chased far away.
Sweet and safe night life which was the hall mark of the FCT is gradually returning. The general security situation is rapidly improving. However, more needs to be done. This is where the Set Time Initiative is needed for collaboration and cross pollination of ideas.
Immediately the “Usain Bolt Minster” was sworn-in, he, ensured the much needed and long awaited fundamental restructuring of the civil service of the FCT Administration was carried out to align with the requirement of the laws guiding and regulating the civil service.
Today, all civil servants under the FCT administration are jubilating because there is now a future in their career, unlike before.
The first week of his assumption as the FCT Minister, the first among equals, the “Usain Bolt Minister” embarked on royal visitation and paying homage to the various traditional stools in the FCT. He provided them with various tools including luxury and operational vehicles to enhance their efficiency, thereby securing their loyalty and support.
In the education sector the “Usain Bolt Minister” established and approved scholarship funding for 13946 indigent students which has been disbursed. Besides scholarships and public schools rehabilitation, the “Usain Bolt Minister” who is sprinting too fast to get things back to normal again equally resuscitated the school’s sports festival which has been abandoned for over 25 years. This according to him is to improve the environment and give the students a conducive atmosphere for learning.
It is important to mention the massive infrastructural facelift being given to all the science secondary schools across the six Area Councils of the FCT. It is wonderful to behold.
In the transport sector, plans are on top gear and finishing touches are being done to launch into operation the FCT metroline.
In as much as we acknowledge the Usain Bolt speed with which Nyesom Wike is carrying out his mandate of renewed hope agenda of Mr. President on various sectors of development of FCT, we wish to bring to his knowledge the rural communities in FCT which are in dire need of infrastructural development. If you put infrastructure in these areas which is populated by the majority of the residents you will be able to generate more revenue in terms of issuance of title documents to land which will in turn assist the owners in accessing banking facilities to improve their businesses. Ground rent, tenement rates etc. Will also generate revenue. We wish to commend the efforts of the Minister on the massive rehabilitation and resurfacing of the dual carriage way from Nyanya to Karshi constructed in 2002 by the El-Rufai administration which was totally deteriorating and turning into an eye sore. Most parts of the road, especially from Nyanya to Kpeygi is failing and becoming difficult for motorists to drive through easily.
Barr. Joseph Mekwunye is Abuja based Constitutional Lawyer, prolific writer and General Co-ordinator of Set Time Skill Acquisition Initiative.
