The House of Representatives, in a plenary session on Thursday, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of the security architecture in the nation’s capital.
The resolution, arising from a motion titled “Need to investigate the decline of the Federal Capital Territory,” was moved by Mr. Oboku Oforji, representing Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokume Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State.
The motion addresses the escalating security challenges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including incidents of armed robbery and kidnapping. Critics have raised concerns about Minister Nyesom Wike’s focus, attributing it to his alleged involvement in political turmoil in his home state of Rivers.
During the motion’s debate, Oforji highlighted the significance of Abuja as Nigeria’s capital, emphasizing its unique legislative powers vested in the National Assembly. He noted that the FCT, created in 1976, comprises six Area Councils—Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali—spanning parts of old Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau States.
Oforji also pointed out the administrative structure, with the FCT Minister overseeing the entire territory and the Federal Capital Development Authority concentrating on construction and infrastructure development.
Expressing concern over the state of infrastructure and living conditions, the House noted issues such as poor roads, unreliable electricity supply, inadequate healthcare facilities, ill-equipped hospitals, insufficient fire stations, limited water supply, and insecurity. The resolution acknowledges that over 60% of FCT residents reside outside Abuja Municipal Area Council, with particular areas facing challenges in infrastructure development.
The House highlighted the impact on civil servants, who regularly face traffic gridlock, leading to delayed arrival at work. The collapse of security in the FCT is evident through recurring incidents of armed robberies and kidnappings.
Consequently, the House has urged the IGP and FCT Minister to “rejig the security architecture of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.” Additionally, the Committee on FCT has been mandated to investigate the budgetary allocation of the FCT from 2021-2023 and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
