- Say It’s Demarketing of Nigeria
By Kolawole Ojebisi
Reactions have begun to trail the revelation made by the Minsiter of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on how he acquired the land on which he is building houses for some Nigerian judges. Wike made the revelation on Monday while speaking during the official flag-off ceremony of the Design and Construction of 40 Judges’ Quarters at the nation’s capital, Abuja.
The Minister recounted how he revoked the title of a land allocated to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to secure the space for the Judges’ Quarters.
The giant construction firm has assets in different parts of the country. Addressing the CJN, Wike said, “My Lord, let me bring to your notice. You have seen this land here. When we were looking for where to get land to build. I was driving around looking for empty land and I got here and saw this empty land.
“I saw the big post ‘Julius Berger’. I didn’t talk. I called the director of lands, ‘who owns that land?’ And he said Julius Berger. When was it allocated? He said about 15, 20 years ago. 15, 20 years ago? Nothing has been done? I didn’t bother.
“So, I invited the MD Julius Berger. He came and we had dinner. I didn’t talk about the land. The next day, he was in the office and he saw the revocation letter as a matter of public interest. He called me and said ‘but I had dinner with you’. I said ‘yes; we had dinner but we didn’t discuss the land’.
“How will the government allocate land for more than 20 years for organisation to develop and they did not develop it? Thank God they did not develop it and now we can have it.”
He said 70 percent of funds for the project was released after its approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Wike further explained that out of the 40 units, 20 would be allocated to the FCT High Court, 10 to the Federal High Court, and 10 to the Court of Appeal.
But no sooner had the Minister made the revelation than Nigerians took to social media to express their sentiments concerning Wike’s action.
“How would any foreign investor hear this and still think about investing in Nigeria” Henry Chukwumebuka Ringstar
“Politician are the highest in demarketing Nigeria. He doesn’t even need to say that publicly at thie foundation laying ceremony. What a wrong signal to foreign investors.” Gbemileke Samson Olaniyan
“To be honest with you Dr . Wike is a very performing person. You put him in a any position he will definitely perform and impress you.” Bamidele Ajabalaku
“I can’t imagine a well-intentioned leader working with this man that lacks conscience, plays dirty/do-or-die politics” Uzoma Chilaka
“Wike is a lawyer. So he’s doing the best for the judiciary. What a nice man” Emeka Echendu
“Julius Berger cannot construct court injunctions, despite their fame, it’s a shame.” Obinna Ibemere
“Judges = Ju
Julius = Ju
It is a Ju-Ju phenomenon” @Ehinome Okojie
