At the commissioning of the Apo to Wassa axis of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) II, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike spotlighted the critical role of ground rent revenue in funding Abuja’s rapid development, while also defending the decision to rename the International Conference Centre (ICC) after President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the internally generated revenue from ground rent is vital to the Federal Capital Territory’s ability to deliver infrastructure projects, especially given Abuja’s lack of oil revenue. He highlighted how the enforcement of ground rent payments has transformed stalled projects into completed landmarks.

“Those of us who are crying ‘Ground Rent this, Ground Rent that,’ see what Ground Rent has done — 15 kilometres of road opened up. I encourage you to drive down to Wassa Junction and see the difference,” Wike said, pointing to the newly completed expressway as a direct result of government funding fueled by ground rent collections.

He also promised further infrastructure improvements, including the dualization of congested road sections and the relocation of mechanics, to enhance traffic flow and economic activity.

Addressing critics of the renaming of the ICC after President Tinubu, Wike dismissed claims of misplaced priorities and political bias.

“If you love this country, you cannot criticize the International Conference Centre. Everything in that center was changed except the block work. Nigeria must show what makes it the giant of Africa,” he said.

He refuted arguments that the centre should have been named after its original builder, citing examples such as Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport and Moshood Abiola Stadium, which also bear names of prominent figures not directly involved in their construction.

THE SUN