BY DAVID ADUGE-ANI, ABUJA
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barrister Nyesom Wike said the project for the construction of the new Abuja division of the Appeal Court complex would cost the administration the sum of N37 billion.
Wike, who disclosed this at the flag-off/ground breaking ceremony for the project in Abuja on Tuesday, said the project would be completed within the period of 16 months.
The minister disclosed that the cost of the project had already been captured in the 2024 budget, while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had provided the sum of N30bn for the completion of the project.
He revealed that President Tinubu had also approved the construction of 40 housing units accommodation for judges and justices in the FCT, adding that out of the 40 houses,10 would be allocated to the Court of Appeal, 10 houses to the Federal High Court, while 20 houses would be allocated to the FCT Courts.
Wike added that Tinubu had equally approved the construction of retirement homes for FCT judges and justices, beginning with the heads of courts.
“Mr President has approved the construction of retirement homes for the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Chief Judge of the FCT, President of the Industrial Courts and the President of the Court of Appeal.
I want to assure that the foundation for the accommodation and retirement homes will be laid in August and completed before September 2024,” Wike said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the projects, noting that is part of the essence of his Renewed Hope Agenda,
Performing the ground breaking ceremony, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola commended the FCT minister for the project, noting that what the judiciary needs is to be left to perform its role unhindered, as much as possible.
Justice Ariwoola, who is the guest of honour, stated that once the judiciary is taken care of, you have taken care of justice, adding that there can be no peace anywhere in the world without justice.
“We will guarantee peace, we promise to ensure that peace is given to whoever is due, so that we can all enjoy peace. Justice is important and imperative. We promise we will always give justice,” he added.