…Calls On Monarchs To Promote Peace

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it will not hesitate to hold traditional leaders responsible for the breakdown of peace in their domains, as they are those closest to the people, just weeks before the 2022 FCT Area Council elections.

While also urging the traditional rulers of the 17 Abuja rated Chiefdoms to promote peace, particularly before and during the Territory’s electioneering process.

Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantshoho, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS), stated this on Thursday in Abuja, implying that graded chiefs must speak to their subjects to ensure that no lives are lost.

Dantshoho, made this known during a ACSS’s familiarisation tour to some FCT Graded Chiefs in Abaji and Kwali Area Councils, while adding that the government is not unmindful of the prevailing security challenges in the country.

He said , “Those involved in acts that breach the peace are known to the people within the various domains of the FCT, he said the Chiefdoms cannot be left out of the quest to foster peace especially in the wake of the prevailing insecurity.

“As the traditional ruler, in your  domain you should talk to your subjects on why there must be peace, as once there is peace a lot of things would be enjoyed. That’s why we are preaching peace.

“In the next five weeks or so we will be having the area council election and the Minister said we should convey this message to you why there must not be any loss of lives , you need to talk to your subjects that irrespective of party differences , there should be peace before, during and even after the elections.

“And if you (graded chiefs) allow anything to happen in your domain the FCT administration will not hesitate to hold you responsible for their action or inaction, and why it was not curtailed.

“We urge you to preach peace to your  people before, during and after the electioneering, so that we will continue to enjoy peace , that the FCT is known for.”

He continued; “We want to continue to have relative peace within the FCT, as few months back most people found it difficult to travel through the Gwagwalada/Abaji/Lokoja road, because of the fear of the unknown, but ever since then, the government has been proactive in tackling the challenge of insecurity.

“And before everyone of you, they (Chiefs) were grateful to the FCT Administration for being proactive in solving the security challenges, especially not too far from the electioneering period.

“As you know, the Hon FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammadu Musa Bello, and Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu have always been on the top of the situation, so we will articulate whatever we have gotten, and put it before them, and I will assure that in no small time, we will  address the issues.”

One of the traditional leaders , the Etsu of Yaba Chiefdom , in Abaji Area Council, Alh. Abdulahi Adamu, advised politicians to ensure that they follow established law and order of the society, in the pursuit of their aspirations.

He said: “What we want is peace with or without elections, because nothing can be done in the atmosphere of crisis .”

He however made a passionate appeal for continuous upgrading of status of graded chiefs in FCT, in order to ensure strategic progression of the traditional institutions.

Meanwhile , the Etsu Wako Chiefdom, in Kwali, Abdulaziz Usman Ibrahim, decried the absence of a Police station and perimeter fencing of schools in the Chiefdom.

He ,however, stressed the need to empower its teeming unemployed youth, equip its Police Post, which has remained unutilised in the area.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has revealed intentions by the Secretariat to strengthen its disease surveillance, detection, reporting, and control system as part of measures to reduce the emergence and spread of animal diseases in the nation’s capital.

Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, the mandate secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, made the comment during a working visit to the FCT Veterinary Clinic in Nyanya.

He was pleased with the status of the Clinic’s facilities, particularly the diagnostic laboratory, which was dedicated in 2021 by the Honourable Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.

 
Abubakar in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Deputy Director, Information, ARDS , Zakari Aliyu commended the Veterinary officials for efficiently managing the facilities at the laboratory which he noted was fully equipped to meet the needs of animal owners and livestock farmers in the FCT.

He, however , stressed the need for animal owners and livestock farmers in the FCT to desist from patronizing quack clinics. In his words, “As you can see, the facilities here are state of the Art and comparable to the best anywhere in the world. I therefore would like to call on residents to patronize the clinics in order to access quality animal Healthcare”

Speaking on the issue of disease prevention and control, the Secretary disclosed that the Secretariat has through the Department of Veterinary Services strengthened its surveillance system to enhance its capacity to detect and combat the outbreak and spread of animal diseases. “We intend to build the capacities of our Veterinary Health officials and Doctors to expose them to the modern trends in disease surveillance and reporting” Abubakar said.

The Visit also took the Secretary to the FCT Fish market at Kado where he directed the Department of Fisheries to ensure that the issues that have prevented the full utilization of the Laboratory be addressed to enable it carry out its responsibilities of conducting daily laboratory tests to ensure the safety of fish sold to the public.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) announced on Friday that it had met with Chinese contractors working on the AYA-Kugbo-Nyanya Road to discuss ways to reduce excessive traffic congestion.

This follows a horrifying traffic experience for commuters and homeowners on same road axis on Thursday, which lasted for hours due to an emergency detour allegedly created by construction contractors without sufficient information.

The FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah, who accompanied leaders of traffic management agencies to the construction site, said decisions that affect traffic along that road axis should not be taken lightly.

While asking building engineers to always develop synergy with relevant traffic, Attah said that

He hinted that early communication would enable the relevant agencies to massively deplore human resources that will ensure a seamless traffic flow, especially when there is any accidental or construction emergencies. 

He said,  FCTA had demonstrated commitment and support to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing over the road project, and would do more to ensure its completion. 

He went further to commend  the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Nyanya unit Commander, Sabena Musa and her men, for sacrifices they made in controlling the terrifying traffic gridlock. 

The Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) through its Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) has initiated a large clean-up exercise in the six area councils of the nation’s capital in an effort to maintain the satellite towns clean.

Mr Obinna Francis Ogwuegbu, the STDD Coordinator, hinted that the FCT administration, led by Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, and the Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, are committed to making FCT a safer and more sanitary place for all residents.

The Coordinator stated that the work would be ongoing and advised citizens, particularly those in the suburbs, to avoid dropping garbage into drains and along roadsides.

The Coordinator stated that , “I will be going round the 6 Area Councils to make sure that all contractors are complying with the matching order, added that all hands must be on decks in making sure that all the Satellite towns are kept clean with or without public holiday”.

He stated that, following the order, the six area Councils contractors on waste management have since swung into action at their various sites, the exercises of desisting of drains, dump sites and evacuating around the potions interchanges and roads leading into and out of the satellite towns are ongoing are in Gwagalada, kwali, kubwa, kuje, Abaji, and karshi.

He, however, frowned at the situation on waste Management is getting bad because of some people attitude, lifestyle, character and behaviour towards the Environment, he called on the residents to stop dumping and littering of refuse around the roads side, there by blocking and menacing around the while areas knowing very well that the deity is not good for our health.

Ogwuegbu hinted that, while stressing that, it is the duty of the area Councils chairmen in cleaning and Managing wastes in all the satellite towns, since they are been paid to do it, hinted that the satellite towns department is only meant to do intervention when necessary but that is not happening.

He further explained that one of his mission is to maintain and retain the dignity of the satellite towns in terms of cleanliness and road usages, as the construction of roads are also ongoing in some of the satellite towns.

He promised to do his best in repositioning the satellite town before the end his tenure to make sure that there is a change, by making the citizen partner with the Government in building and making the satellite towns clean and digitalise.

He also revealed that more resources will be deployed in areas of waste Management even though It will cost Government more money.

The FCT Administration has described the level of compliance with established non-pharmaceutical measures, particularly the mandatory 50 percent seat capacity of worship centers in the Territory, as average, following observations of Christian faithful performing crossover services under the cloud of the rising Omicron variant of the COVID-19 pandemic.

FCTA discovered this during a routine inspection of crossing and candle night services, which are held every year to usher in the New Year.

Various heads of important agencies were escorted to the First Baptist Church in Area 11, Garki-Abuja, COZA in Guzape, ECWA Goodnews in Maitama District, and Methodist Cathedral of Unity in Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, according to our source.

A quick tour of the city revealed rather quiet New Year’s celebrations, with only a few fireworks recorded in the nation’s capital.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Comrade Attah Ikharo, attributed the development to growing consciousness among the FCT populace, against the pandemic.

Attah also appreciated the role of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), that sensitised and charged church leaders and followers on the need to be conscious and join the fight against the pandemic.

His words , “For us at the FCTA , the compliance level is average; it is so , in the sense that when you go round the churches , some of them , you will see people fully on masks and sensitised , with their temperature checked, and social distancing maintained.

“While in some other places, where you have overflow of crowd- no physical distancing. But in all, there is this consciousness that the FCT has that I think other states can learn from.

“People around the FCT still put on facemasks, there are areas you get to , you find it very difficult. By and large, there is this consciousness that has been created within the FCT that the government and people of the Territory are fighting the COVID-19.

“Our greatest thanks goes to the Christian body, CAN, that has been charging its members to be conscious and join the fight against the pandemic”.

He continued: “We are telling people that you need to safe yourselves, and above all, like the FCT Minister, Mallam Musa Muhammad Bello said today, we should try as much as possible to take our COVID-19 vaccines.

“Let’s go and take our jabs , as they are safe and good for us. By taking it, we will up our immune system, so that we can actually fight the pandemic, irrespective of its variant now or in the future.

“We should all go for our vaccines as well as obey the COVID-19 health protocols”, he stated .

At the First Baptist Church, Area 11, Garki-Abuja, Senior Pastor of the Church, Rev. Tom Takpatore, said in line with the established safety guidelines, effectively made arrangements, which officials followed religiously during the crossover night.

Similarly, receiving the team at the ECWA Goodnews, in Maitama District, Rev. Dr. Samson Jonah, noted that the leadership of the church ensured that all the necessary precautionary measures were put in place, to realise a hitch-free exercise.

Jonah, who is the Chairman of FCT CAN, said prior to the crossover night the leaders of churches in the FCT had been fully sensitised and charged to ensure strict adherence to the established non-pharmaceutical guidelines for such places.

He however reiterated the commitment of churches in FCT and Nigeria at large to boost the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

…Says 600 Undeveloped Plots Not Left Out

In order to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in and around the nation’s capital, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have concluded plans to sanction owners of 435 abandoned/uncompleted structures in and around the Abuja.

The FCT Director of Land Administration, Malam Adamu Jibrin Hussaini, made this at the end-of-year briefing to update the FCT Press Corps on the Department’s activities, revealing that the consequence might include title revocation.

The Director recommended the owners of such abandoned / unfinished structures in the city to act quickly to complete them, claiming that such structures have become a cause of security breach in the city.

Hussaini reiterated that this security breach is of great concern to the government and that it will not fold its arms to watch danger in the waiting to explode; stressing, “this development has been a cause of worry for the FCT Administration”.

His words , “These abandoned /uncompleted buildings have become shelter for unintended occupants as well as other persons with criminal disposition, who use these uncompleted structures as hideout to perpetuate their nefarious activities against the residents.

” The same fate may befall owners of about 600 undeveloped plots in the Federal Capital City; emphasizing that such undeveloped plots have remained an eyesore in Abuja, despite huge amount of money spent to provide these basic infrastructures in the districts”.

Hussaini, however, recalled that the owners of these undeveloped plots scattered around the Abuja metropolis have been warned severally in the past, yet some remains recalcitrant.

The Director further revealed that though there exists thousands of uncollected Certificates of Occupancy in the vaults, the Department has conveyed 495 Certificates of Occupancy to bonafide owners from January to December 2021.

He, however, implores other allottees to come over and pick their Certificates as such act would help lubricate economic activities of the Territory.

Speaking on the issuance of Rights of Occupancy within the year under review, Hussainini explained that the Land Administration Department released a total number of 1,319 titles to the beneficiaries.

While also disclosing that there are quite a huge number of uncollected Rights of Occupancy in the vaults, the Director advised those who have applied for land in the FCT to endevour to come forward and check the status of their applications.

Speaking further, Hussaini said the Department has witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of fresh applications for land in the Federal Capital Territory during the year under review; noting that a total number of 8,010 applied for land between January to December 2021.

The Director stated that the Department undertook and released a total number of 546 Certified True Copy to various allottees in the year under review.

… Insist Nightclubs, Others Remain Shut

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its decision to limit all religious and social gatherings activities to 50 percent of the hall capacity.

While advising worship centers planning an elaborate New Year’s Eve religious rite, popularly known as “crossover night,” to obey established authorities and follow all suggested preventive measures and health guidelines.

tyhe Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said the rise in new COVID-19 cases was worrying, and the administration would not sit back and watch.

He added that the ban on nightclubs and other social gatherings where physical distancing and non pharmaceutical protocols can’t be achieved, remains in force.

Attah disclosed that,” On 26th December alone the city recorded an alarmingly disturbing 806 New cases, while on the 27th the new cases were 57.

“The report on Tuesday 28th December, that 80 new cases were recorded in the nation’s capital, was not a cheering news, and that there must be government and all stakeholders’ effective collaboration to tackle the pandemic.

“FCT Ministers had at different occasions met with religious leaders and other stakeholders, creating synergy against the deadly pandemic, and also reiterating their commitments to keeping Abuja safe and secured”, he said.

Attah, however, appealed to religious leaders and residents to ensure complete compliance with all the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the Health and Human Services Secretariat last week, he noted that enforcement team would be mobilized to track down violators who will be made to face the laws of the land.

He added that the administration will continue to everything necessary to have a healthy and prosperous capital city that is free from diseases and all manner of anti human elements in the new year.

A combined team from key agencies of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday ahead of the crossover night visited some mega churches in nation’s capital city.

The team went on a sensitization campaign with the fear that uncontrolled crowds during New Year’s Eve will add to the already rising number of COVID-19 cases in Abuja.

Given the nature of the Omicron strain of COVID-19, which is already wreaking havoc in the FCT, and the known overflowing history of worship centers during the crossover, the Administration said it was imperative to urged religious groups to follow the suggested health rules.

Comrade Ikharo Attah, the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, said the decision to visit Mega Churches with large congregations and overcrowding tendencies was made to avoid a situation that could jeopardize stakeholders’ investments and efforts to contain the pandemic.

During the crossover night worship, Attah urged church leaders to implement procedures that will promote total compliance with both non-pharmaceutical intervention and other health regimens.

He also cautioned that the FCT Administration would hold church and religious leaders accountable if there was a breach that resulted in a health emergency in their jurisdictions.

Dr. Abduralman Sadiq, Director of FCTA’s Public Health Department, said the awareness visit was necessary due to the rising incidence of COVID-19 cases in Abuja.

Sadiq bemoaned the fact that, despite the precautions taken, the pandemic was still wreaking havoc on the country.

He said COVID-19 Isolation centres in Abuja, which had previously been empty, were becoming overcrowded as a result of the rise, he revealed that one fatality was documented on Thursday in one of the treatment centers.

Meanwhile the Chairman, FCT Chapter, Christian Association of Nigeria,( CAN)  Rev. Samson Jonah,  who was physically present when the team visited the First Baptist Church, Area 11, Garki, said the Association had directed all Churches to limit gathering in their worship centres to half its capacity. 

Jonah also hinted that the Christian Community in Abuja will continue to support government’s efforts,  and will also intensify prayers for the elimination of the diseases. 

The Churches visited include, The First Baptist Church,  the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 10 Headquarters,  Wuse 2, and the Glory Dome of  Dunamis International Gospel.