The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, promised on Wednesday to continue to support the upkeep and improvement of the Abuja National Mosque.
When the Etsu Nupe (the chief of the Nupe people), Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, led by the Abuja National Mosque Management Board, visited Wike in Abuja, he made the pledge.
The minister informed the board members that because the mosque had been designated a National Monument, the FCT Administration would not hesitate to finance its upkeep.
“Be it for Christians or Muslims, no government will be hesitant to support the upkeep of a National Monument.
“Anything that has to do with Islamic affairs gets my full support.
If we don’t go above and beyond what the previous administration has been doing, we’ll keep doing that, Wike added.
In light of how the religious organisation raises funds for initiatives, the minister also extended the three-month grace period for the construction of undeveloped sites.
The National Mosque’s Plot 99, which was getting an addition, was being built at the time.
The minister stated, “For Plot 99, we will extend the date for you as a religious group because your project depends on donations and public support.”
Mr. Shehu Ahmad, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, was also given a 24-hour window by Wike to explain the location of Plot 63, which is also a part of the Mosque but is located next to a road.
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He gave Ahmad instructions to think about offering an alternate plot or to identify the area of the land that would be impacted by the road and calculate the compensation.
Earlier, Abubakar gave a brief explanation of the visit, saying it was to offer congratulations to Wike on being named minister of the FCT and to pray for God’s wisdom and strength to help him carry out his duties.
He emphasised that the National Mosque had been designated a National Monument and said that it must be preserved and supported.
The chairman stated that the FCTA had pledged to assist the mosque’s upkeep, but added that the mosque’s repair and reconstruction had come to an end.
The National Mosque’s Plots 99 and 63, he continued, were among those that had been given three months to start construction or risk having their permits revoked.
He added that plot 99 was getting the necessary attention, but that plot 63’s construction had been put on hold due to an FCTA mandate.
According to him, the suspension was made because a motorway crosses the land in accordance with the Abuja Master Plan.
“We’re expecting that by the time the impacted area of the land is gone, we’ll know what’s left and how to get paid by the authority.
He begged for permission, saying, “We crave your indulgence to let us have the position of the authority on that land.” (NAN)
