FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has warned the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, against naming streets in areas where his administration is constructing roads and providing infrastructure.
Wike issued the warning during the flag-off of engineering infrastructure for outstanding layouts in Guzape A09 Lots I & II District and the AIT Neighborhood in Asokoro A04 District on Wednesday.
He insisted that streets should be named only after individuals who have genuinely contributed to the nation’s growth, not those who pay for such recognition.
Wike said: “But anytime you wake up, it’s your own morning. Now that a new government has come, a new government is established to change the narrative, we have no choice but to continue to support that government. So at the end of the day, we will benefit from the dividends of democracy.
“Listen, let me say it now. We cannot be doing roads, putting infrastructure. You wake up in the morning and name streets.
“Before I wake up, you name the streets of the roads we are doing. Put your streets where you do roads. I mean, it is very, very funny. You wake up, somebody writes to you and begs you for money.
“Then you come. Before you know it, it’s Dr. So-so Street. Professor So-so Street. Bishop So-so Street. Madam So-so Street. In a road where I’m suffering, looking for money to provide infrastructure.
“We have to name streets after those who have contributed to the development of the area.”
The minister also challenged Maikalangu to return any money collected in exchange for naming rights.
“You don’t just wake up because somebody has two billion naira. He pays to you. Then you come and have a name of a street. That’s not possible. That is not possible. You can go and name them in the satellite town.
“If you want to name it, there are people who have paid you money. Make sure you do the roads too. Provide infrastructure. And then name the street after them.”
