By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Barr. Nyesom Wike has clarified the notion in some quarters that ongoing provisions of accomodation for judiciary in the nation’s capital was meant to teleguide the third arm of government.
While denying this notion, Wike explained that provision of accomodation for Executive, Legislature and ofcourse the Judiciary was the responsibility of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The Minister stated this on Friday, during flag off of project for the construction and furnishing of office complex for the Body of Benchers Nigeria in Abuja.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for granting approval for the project; explaining that the National Assembly had provided for it in the FCT supplementary budget, which has already been passed.
According to him: “As we speak today, it is the Federal Capital Territory Administration that is providing the official residence of the legislature. That is a different arm of government. It is the FCTA that is building the new complex of the National Assembly. That has nothing to do with interference of the arm of government. At the end of the day, the project will be handed over to the legislature for them to manage.”
Wike revealed that about 80 percent of funds required for the Body of Benchers office accomodation project was available; assuring it would not be abandoned but completed within ten months.
He also disclosed that President Tinubu has also approved construction of ten residential buildings for the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, which he (Wike) would flag off on Monday.
In his welcome address, Chairman, Body of Benchers Nigeria, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, said that one of the basic and statutory functions of the Body includes call to bar ceremony, organized for fresh lawyers.
According to him, the Body of Benchers has called to bar over one hundred and fourty thousand Nigerians from the six geo-political zones, and was preparing to call to bar nine thousand young Nigerians next year.
Adegboyega described the gesture as an “Executive support”, which must be appreciated and commeded; adding that no arm of government could survive without the other hence the necessity for collaboration.
