The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has extended the ‘develop or perish’ mandate given to religious groups, as the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, yesterday released them from the three-month ultimatum. previously given to owners of undeveloped plots.
Wike said the administration will extend the ultimatum for religious groups because they are heavily dependent on donations for food. The minister gave the update when he received the Board of the National Mosque, led by its chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.
The board is at the FCTA to seek clarification on the status of areas where it has been directed to stop development during the construction of the Outer Southern Expressway.
Abubakar said that work had started on the site opposite the Yar’Adua Center before a job advertisement was issued to the management of the church.
The board also used the opportunity to seek support to complete the renovation of the FCT National Mosque, which was undertaken by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) before the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the National Mosque was recognized as a national monument by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who started a fund for the renovation of the building.
Meanwhile, in his response, the FCT minister said the cancellation order was not directed at the owners of abandoned projects or companies, but to change the landscape of the country and weaken it. to criminals from hibernating in them.
He said that no government will hesitate to support the reconstruction of a national monument, which is a church or a mosque. He said that any aid given to the National Mosque will be continued, if not improved.
Wike also used the opportunity to explain the controversy surrounding the alleged demolition of a church in Rivers State while he was the governor of the state. He said this was a political act promoted by his opponents as no mosque was demolished during his tenure as governor.
[GNN]
