The federal government has approved the construction of 40 houses for judges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, confirmed the development at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.
This initiative is part of the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to ensure secure and comfortable housing for members of the judiciary.
Wike indicated that the 40 homes will be built in the Kantampe District, with allocations of 20 for the FCT High Court, 10 for the Federal High Court, and 10 for the Court of Appeal.
He added that the project is expected to be completed within a 15-month timeframe.
He said the President attached importance to the judiciary as he “Finds it difficult that judges and Justices will be living in rented houses and hotels, that is not safe for our judicial officials, not convenient for them to do their work and so the President directed that the FCT through the FCDA should immediately construct 40 numbered judges and Justice’s quarters at Kantampe District.
“What it means is that out of these 40 FCT High Courts which is like the FCT Court will have 20, the federal high court will have 10 and the Court of Appeal will have 10 and this will be completed in 15 months’ time.”
Besides the housing initiative, Wike mentioned that the Federal Executive Committee has given the green light to a number of infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing access to the judicial complex.
These projects encompass the building of a road connecting Artillery Road N11 to the judges’ residences and the improvement of all the internal pathways within the residences.
Furthermore, there are plans to create a road linking Ring Road 1-N16 Shehu Shagari Way to the judges’ residences and to develop pathways that link to the Court of Appeal Abuja division.
He explained that these decisions are part of a broader infrastructure strategy in the Federal Capital Territory, which involves the construction of more than 75 kilometres of roads in the surrounding satellite towns of Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Bwari.
The minister stated that the government is committed to finishing these projects by December.
Wike also revealed the cancellation of a prior agreement for the Maitama 2 development due to delays and insufficient progress.
He mentioned that a new bidding process will be started to ensure the successful development of the area, potentially helping to alleviate housing shortages in the capital.
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