The maiden edition of the Abuja Transportation and Aviation Correspondents Association, ATACA Journal will launch in Abuja on December 16, 2021.
The Journal, which is the first of its kind, is packed with transportation and aviation industry stories and insightful interviews that speak to happenings in the Industry.
The Association which began in 2015, has blossomed over the years, as its members, with years of experience on the job, have ensured that it remains relevant in all ramifications.
Speaking on the upcoming launch, the ATACA Chairman/ATACA Journal Editor-in-chief, Chris Agabi, expressed excitement over the Journal which he said, was coming at the right time.
According to Agabi; “This Magazine is coming at a great time when Nigeria and Nigerians have witnessed great transformation in the Transportation and Aviation Ministries. It is also coming at a time where these Ministries and Agencies under them have worked assiduously to ensure that the COVID-19 pandemic is contained.
“It is no news that transportation involves moving humans and goods from one place to another, but with the COVID-19, this activity was put under strain as the need for social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols became immensely necessary. However, the Aviation and Transportation Ministries took initiatives to ensure that the disease was not spread any further.
“With these and many more, ATACA thought it wise to document the activities of these Ministries and their agencies in the face of COVID-19, as well as how they have been able to bounce back so far”, he said.
He further added that going forward, the Journal will be published quarterly, so as to keep the nation abreast of happenings in the Transportation and Aviation Ministries.
For his part, the Editor of the ATACA Journal, Mr. Victor Nnodim, emphasized that the Journal will go a long way in informing, educating and enlightening the public on the activities of the Transportation and Aviation sectors.
The 40-paged Journal is loaded with interviews and articles from several Ministries and Agencies, such as the Ministry of Transportation, Aviation, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), SpaceXchange and many more.
The launch is scheduled to hold by 9:00 am at the Anabel Apartments and Suites, 14, Otuoke Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja. The general public is cordially invited.
The WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo said that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) will enable the Government of Nigeria to significantly increase investment in the health sector.
This, according to him is to relieve households of the heavy burden of out-of-pocket expenditure on health which is still above 70%.
He made this known at the Ministerial Press Conference to Mark the Global Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, 12 December 2021.
According to him; “It is my honour and privilege, to participate in this auspicious event marking the global Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2021, with the theme “Leave no one behind, invest in health systems for all”.
“The theme of this year’s celebration, indeed reminds us of the need for countries to invest more in health systems towards achieving UHC in order to leave no one behind.
“This takes into cognizance evidence-based decisions and practical steps in population coverage on essential health services, and financial protection from poverty due to illness and access to healthcare.
“In August 2017, the WHO Region for Africa at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, adopted an Action Framework to ensure achievement of UHC and the SDGs through the Health Systems. More than ever before, we call for deliberate integrated actions across the six (6) building blocks of governance; health workforce; financing; infrastructure, medicines, products, and supplies; and information systems at the national and subnational levels.
“This call is particularly more imperative considering the ongoing global struggle to stem the tides of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here in our country Nigeria, we now face not only the challenges of communicable diseases with high burdens of HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and Respiratory Tract Infections but have increasing cases of non-communicable diseases including Hypertension, Diabetes, and Cancers. We also have frequent disease outbreaks such as Cholera, Lassa Fever, Yellow Fever, Meningitis, etc, and protracted humanitarian crisis in security compromised parts of the country”, he said.
He, however, commended the goodwill of Mr. President in championing health reforms by commissioning the Presidential Health Sector Reform Committee under the Chairmanship of the Vice President. This is a unique opportunity we must leverage on while not missing existing opportunities in the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) towards improving primary healthcare and health security as well as the great potentials in domestic resources within the Nigerian private sector.
He further stated that, “As we come close to the end of another remarkable year, there is a huge opportunity to take stock of the dividends of health and healthcare provided to our people by articulating the annual state of the health report in line with the National Health Act 2014. This will not only showcase the achievements and progress made so far but will be useful in laying bare key challenges and areas where improvement would be needed.
“Finally, the WHO within our mandate and presence in Nigeria will continue to provide evidence-based technical support and expertise to the Government and people of Nigeria to achieve the highest health outcomes they desire”.
As Pensioners commemorate the 2021 Pensioners’ Day, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners has called on state governors to give effect to the circular on the consequential adjustments of pensions that was released by the federal government since two years ago.
The National President, Nigeria Union of Pensioners Comrade Godwin Abumisi made the call in Abuja at an event to mark this year’s pensioners’ day. Abumisi who accused the state governors of being emperors who govern with iron hands in a democratic setting, while collapsing all the government instruments said that the circular and funding for the consequential adjustment was released by the state governors since April 2019, but up till now, most state governors are yet to give effect to the circular.
He threatened that pensioners will march to erring government houses, if such erring governors refuse to do the needful.
He further appealed to President Muhammad Buhari to appeal to state governors to stop the inhumane treatments to the senior citizens, and also ensure that bail out funds to such states are not diverted.
He said, ”Our major challenges have been with the State Governments, many of whom have become emperors in their various States. They govern with iron hands in a democratic settings as ours.
”Many of them collapsed governance instruments together under their palm as the-one-man all-powerful governor is the judiciary, the legislature and the executive put together.
”I wish to place on records that the payment of monthly pension to the pensioners is a right not a privilege. Unfortunately, the constitution does not prescribe any punishment for such erring governors who trained the pensioners with disdain.”
“Never will it be said again that Nigerian pensioners are spare tyres and they are old enough to die. We shall take our pride of place in this country, and stand firmly to claim our rights from the government of this nation that we have used our youthful strength to serve. Together in unity, we shall achieve our aims,” he said.
Pensioners’ Day in Nigeria is celebrated on December 11 annually. The theme for this year’s Pensioners’ Day is “Enhancement of Pensioners’ Welfare Through Information and Communication Technology”.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) officials were in excruciating pain on Saturday while attempting to remove a massive traffic gridlock on Nyanya-Kugbo-AYA Road.
A collapsed heavy load trailer emitting logs of wood near the Kugbo axis was claimed to have caused the over 12 hour jam.
Comrade Ikharo Attah, FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, stated that the crisis was resolved by a combined team of the military, police, and other authorities.
He, however, urged residents and commuters to always comply with relevant security services in any emergency situations, the jam lasted longer than intended due to the attitude of some irresponsible uniform police, he said the jam lasted longer than intended due to the attitude of some irresponsible uniform police.
Despite the horrifying encounter, he said that the backlog was eventually lifted around 4:50 a.m.
According to him , ” a trailer carry carrying Timber from had failed break and completely blocked the road with the timbers and the body of the truck , I never thought it would be an extremely hectic day because it was a weekend.
” But this was not the case. Many thanks to the FRSC Nyanya unit Commander, DPO karu Division and DRTS officials who opened for use the service lane that is still under construction.
” The FRSC tow away truck arrived around 6am and cleared the truck and timbers off before 6.50am. While we were thinking of retreating to rest, the entire road(both main carriage way and service lane under construction) were completely blocked by those driving against traffic to and from Abuja. It immediately got to a point of no movement at all.
” We immediately resumed traffic control duties; Route lining and Pin down. The military deployment also helped greatly. Two military men specially did very well to complement efforts. One is a corporal the other , I don’t know his rank.
” After over 8 hours of battling and turning back motorists, the road was full opened around 4.50pm.
” Our most tortuous experience today was from security personnel attached to VIPs. All they wanted was to move their principals through, no matter how bad it worsened the already difficult situation”, he explained.
…Says Massive Demolition Awaits Illegal Structures Along Airport Road
Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), made a strong appeal on Thursday to indigenous peoples to stop selling their birth rights to non-indigenes, claiming that after the ships are gone, non-indigenes will return to their various country homes.
“You must remember that you have growing families and must retain your legacy,” he said, adding, “it is not all the lands we give to you that you sell.”
The minister made the request while meeting with chiefs from seven communities along Lugbe-Airport Road to devise strategies to address the impending issues posed by land sales to non-indigenous people in the nation’s capital.
Comrade Ikharo Attah, the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, spoke on behalf of the minister, saying: Bello has the interest of the indigenous people at heart and will not do anything to twat the peaceful co-existence of the people.
According to him, ” The families of indigenous people are growing and we must look for ways to accommodate them. A layout is under way to cater exclusively for this purpose.
“I appeal to you not to sell them when you get them. This is what is applicable and after selling, you begin to cry foul. This is not acceptable.
“We are coming to demolish all non indigenous building in your communities, it will be massive, why we are not touching yours is because is your anscentral home and since you have not been relocated we will not touch your buildings.
“The Minister has directed that we move in an remove all illegal structures within the nation’s capital. Non indigene houses will be removed without any compensation”, he said.
He, however, advise that ,when government give you allocation, please don’t sell, always remember your growing families and if you must sell tell them is farm lands so that when we demolish they will not fall back to you.
Meanwhile, the Acting Director, Department of Development Control , Tpl Garba Kwamkur said the meeting was at the instance of the Minister.
His words , ” The minister instructed that we moved in to write the structural wrongs in the communities.
He said they have already marked some of the illegal structures and those that has not been marked we will do that before the year runs to an end.
Kwamkur also stated that they will start demolishing in the first quarter of next year.
While adding that, they will not spare any illegal estates spring up in Lugbe.
One of the Chief’s who spoke with newsmen, Malam Yusuf Mugajji, Aguma of Sauka appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration that, if possible enforcement agencies should be left to secure the demolished community 24 hour after the exercise saying, after the demolition, hoodlums will take over and be looting the indigenous communities as soon as the task force have gone.
He added that, the indigenous communities are expanding so FCTA should demolition of some of the scoters
He also that FCTA should safe them from estate developers who are carrying fake papers clamping that the while land belongs to them.
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), says it has disbursed over 500million naira to the enrollees of the fund who are on its Employee’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) as Claims and Compensation within the last six months.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Fund, Michael Akabogu disclosed this in Abuja during an interaction session with Labour Correspondents.
The agency, under the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment also said it intends to reach all vulnerable Nigerians while also reaching all employees through the ECS as a Social Security which is its core mandate.
He added that, he would be making the disclosure from time to time to avoid embezzlement in the agency as it happened in the past.
“We would aim to create pathways to widen the spread of our enrollee and most importantly, improve on and ensure prompt payments of Claims and Compensations to give value for money to all the Contributors in our Employee Compensation Scheme.
“In addition, it may interest you to know that NSITF in last two quarters spanning from the month of June to November 2021, paid a total sum of N529,962,770.07 (Five Hundred and Twenty-nine Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty two Thousand, seven Hundred and seventy and seventy Naira) as Claims and Compensation,” NSITF boss said.
Akabogu listed the claims which were paid as Medical Expenses Refunds, Loss of Productivity to Employers, Death Benefit to Next of Kin (NOK), Disability Benefits to Employees, Beneficiary of deceased Employees and Retirement Benefits on behalf of disabled employees.
It could be recalled that the agency before now, was in a series of embezzlements and misappropriation of funds scam a few months ago – a development that led to the sack of past management team of the fund.
Following the discovery of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Nigeria, the Federal Government evaluated the country’s immunization program and decided to roll out the booster dosage using the Pfizer Bio-N-Tech vaccine throughout the country.
This will go into effect tomorrow, Friday, December 10th, 2021.
Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) said Nigerian COVID-19 immunization campaign is science-driven.
He made this known at the flag off of the mass vaccination campaign. This is being done to fast-track the coverage of all eligible persons. Our special attention on the IDP Camps underscores the government’s recognition of the vulnerable conditions of our friends and families who are temporarily here.
The said, “Evidence has shown that the booster dose further increases protection against the virus. Eligibility for the booster dose includes being 18 years and above, fully vaccinated with either two doses of AstraZeneca, Moderna or Pfizer Bio-N-Tech or a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. The time interval before the booster dose is at least six months for these vaccines, except the Johnson and Johnson which is at least two months.
“This is another opportunity to be further protected. I therefore urge all those who have taken the right decision to be fully vaccinated, to walk into the nearest vaccination site for their booster dose as from tomorrow.
“I want to reassure everyone that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and efficacious. We have in place the required measures and precautions to ensure vaccine monitoring and accountability. We are committed to ensure that our vaccination teams will be available on site here and in other camps daily until every eligible person has received their vaccines. I therefore urge camp leaders to take responsibility and ensure all members are fully vaccinated. Please do not hesitate to demand for the vaccines if the teams stop coming and there are still unvaccinated persons in the camp. It is your right to get vaccinated.
“At this juncture, may I emphasize that taking the COVID-19 vaccine is not just an act of self-protection but also a civic duty to curtail the spread of the virus in the camp and in Nigeria. Every one of us has a critical role to play in mobilizing our friends, families, and camp mates to the vaccination site. Remember, no one is safe from COVID-19 until everyone is safe.
“Even after vaccination let us continue to wear our face masks, wash our hands frequently, observe physical distancing and avoid large gatherings until Nigeria achieves full vaccination of all its eligible population”, he said .
He continued, , “Today, Thursday December 9th 2021, 7,361,810 Nigerians have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and this represents 6.6% of the eligible population. 3,846,762 eligible Nigerians have received their second doses and are fully vaccinated against the virus representing 3.4% of the eligible population.
“As you are aware, since the detection of the first case of COVID-19 infection in Nigeria about two years ago, the Federal Government has taken decisive steps to control the spread of the virus in the Country. Despite the challenges of large-scale misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, Nigeria has successfully vaccinated over seven million eligible persons, and I am glad to inform that none of these persons has died as a result of receiving COVID-19 vaccine. Our record of successful vaccine roll out has been based on the consistent support from President Muhammadu Buhari and the guidance of the Chairman of Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 – Mr Boss Mustapha, and the Honorable Minister of Health – Dr Osagie Ehanire. While we remain grateful to God Almighty for using these leaders to intervene for our dear country, it is important to mention that the decision of over 7 million Nigerians to take the COVID-19 vaccine has been based on their rightful conviction that the vaccines are safe and effective in protecting them against the disease. We appreciate the courage, resilience and patriotism that Nigerians have continued to demonstrate in accepting to be vaccinated against COVID-19. And as time has come to prove that we were not wrong to have accepted the polio vaccine, time will come to prove that we are not wrong to accept the COVID-19 vaccine.
“The Federal Government under the able leadership of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to ensure that every eligible Nigeria and indeed any persons in Nigeria has access to the COVID-19 vaccines. It is in furtherance of this determination that we introduced the COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Campaign to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 Vaccines by everyone.
Our presence here today, to flag-off the vaccination of our brothers and sisters in these camps across the country is also in fulfilment of that determination. Everyone, no matter where they are in the country MUST have access to the COVID-19 vaccines.
And as a result of our commitment to all Nigerians, COVID-19 vaccines are now accessible in all public, primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities, private health facilities, worship centres, schools, markets, motor parks, shopping malls, etc, in order to fast track social and economic recovery from COVID-19. Suffice to say, we have sufficient doses of COVID-19 vaccines for this mass vaccination campaign.
Also, the Federal Commissioner, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, lamented that the COVID-19 pandemic has profound effect on nearly every aspect of our lives, it has stalled world economies, altered the way we work and communicate with our loved ones, and strained healthcare systems to their breaking point.
He stated that, the pandemic has increased the number of refugees and IDPs by over a million, “According to the UNHCR, current statistics reveal that between 2020 till date, there has been a sharp increase in the number of displacements by about a million, bringing the total number of internal displaced persons to about 3 million residing in camps and host communities across the country. There are also about 73,000 registered refugees from over 23 countries residing in Nigeria. These statistics signifies a 1.7% value of the nation’s population yet to be vaccinated.
“These Persons of Concern have had their livelihoods eroded by both man-made and natural disasters such as protracted fighting, insecurity, communal clashes, and the consequences of climate change, leaving them more vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic’s larger impact. The majority of them lack access to an adequate health care system and are stigmatized as a result of their situation. This is why the Commission is collaborating with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency to ensure that COVID Vaccines reach these vulnerable Persons of Concern”.
He said for nations to be able to return back to nomancy, then getting Covid-19 vaccination is imperative, “Vaccines will undoubtedly enable society to revert to ‘normalcy’ and restrictions continue to ease. To this end, I want to encourage our Persons of Concern who are 18 years and above to take full advantage of this initiative and get vaccinated, because according to experts, by getting vaccinated, you break the chain of disease transmission, you reduce mutations and Variants of the virus, you protect others, and even if you become ill, the severity of sickness is usually mild and does not require hospitalization”.
FCT Minister Desires To See Abuja Work Like Other Cities Across The Globe
…As Attah Expresses Gratitude To ITV Founder, GM Abuja, For Providing Him With A Platform To Ride On
…Promises To Be Good Ambassador
Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), wished to see the nation’s capital city function like the world’s fastest-growing metropolis.
Comrade Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, stated that the Minister is committed to reducing and, if feasible, eliminating illegality in the area.
He, on the other hand, urged the media to collaborate with the Minister in order to build a world-class metropolis that will be envied by all.
Attah made this appeal over the weekend when he received a congratulatory visit from the management team of Independent Television (ITV), led by the General Manager, Barr. Mrs. Amber Olague, on his recent appointment as the Senior Special Assistant to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement.
He said; “I appeal to the media to join hands with the Minister to build a first-class city. The Minister is keen to keep the city clean. He is keen to see the city work like other cities across the globe are managed and operated. The Minister is keen on maintaining the dreams of the founding fathers. The Minister is keen on getting illegality reduced to the barest minimum and, if possible, eradicated. I want all the media organisations to join the FCTA to move the city to a point where history will be fair to everyone of us.”
He, however, praised the founder of ITV, the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, for giving him the platform where God used him to elevate him.
I remain internally grateful to him for establishing ITV, where I worked to earn this appointment.
Attah also commended the General Manager of Abuja station for her motherly role in the process of the appointment.
While recounting the process, he said, “ITV has been very wonderful in the sense that the things I have done, many media houses will not allow you to do them and still remain on staff.” I commend the GM for her motherly role.
My appointment takes effect from September 19, 2019. When I came here to do a report, thinking I would get an exclusive for my media house, the minister pronounced me as a task force chairman. I did not get the exclusive but was made a task force chairman. I quickly called the GM and told him that the minister had asked me to immediately become a task force chairman, and to my shock, the GM said Bravo! “Go ahead and do it,” she said, much to my surprise.
From that day forward, we started the Traffic Management Team, stabilizing Nyanya, Dutse Alhaji, and before we could say Jack Robinson, it had metamorphosed into the COVID-19 Enforcement Team. She kept encouraging me to do it, and from that COVID-19, we moved to City Clean Up, and she constantly followed me until I got to this point where I was appointed.” Am proud to say, I am an ITV employee. I am here on secondment and leave of absence to do the
ITV is a breeding ground for leaders, a breeding ground for professionals, a breeding ground for men who deeply believe in themselves. In the Bible, when God wanted to choose a king for Israel, His criteria were always outside of man’s control.When there was turmoil in Egypt and the Israelites were suffering in Egypt, he went into the Southern Peninsula and chose a man who was married to the king of Median Moses, led him through, and made him leader over Israel.When Saul saw that God had rejected him and was pronounced by Samuel, the anointing jar was filled to be placed on someone else in Jesse’s family. He picked from the list of those who were rearing cattle in the bush to lead over Israel when they had military men in their family. ITV is a platform for potential. As a very professional broadcast station, we may not be too critical to go against the ethics of the NBC code to earn us some critical names, but in professionalism, we know we have cut a niche for ourselves and that is leading us to greater heights.
“I thank you and promise to be a worthy ambassador of ITV. I promise not to disappoint the station. I promise to work for God and for the country and promise to do my best for the city,” he stated.
Also, the Special Assistant to the FCT Minister of State on Media, Austine Elemue, said this appointment has sent a strong message to those who are coming behind. When God said, “I will bless the works of your hands,” it does not mean that you must work in NNPC, where ever you put in your very best.
He said, “ITV station, in terms of popularity and other things, cannot be compared with channels and others, yet Attah has done his best to place the station on a very high pedestal, and that is a strong message to all of you. It is not on till you get to CNN or BBC before you can be given that recognition.” Where ever you are, put in your very best and God will spot you out.
” I want to use this forum to tell others that posting Ikharo Attah here is not a mistake but divine and that he has demonstrated commitment in the discharge of his duties. “
Earlier in her remarks, the General Manager, ITV Abuja Station, Barr. Mrs. Amber Olague, said we didn’t regret that we sent you to cover Villa and FCTA as beats, even though we knew that the job was enormous. I am sure it is clear to all those who are saying we are putting many feathers in one cap now that you did discharge your duties to the extent that those we sent you to decided to saddle you with responsibility.
She thanked him for being a worthy ambassador of the station by putting us on a high pedestal.
She assured him of their support and cooperation to enable him to deliver on his mandate.
Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu. Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) disbursed a total sum of N4,476,067,191.05billion to the six Area Councils in the nation’s capital and other stakeholders as its share of statutory allocation for the month of October 2021,
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu called for more commitment and synergy on the part of all stakeholders, the minister however commended them for showing understanding in the distribution of monthly allocation to area councils and other stakeholders.
She also harped on the need to strengthen institutions that would outlive the present administration.
Meanwhile, the figure indicates a slight decrease in revenue from N4,726,127,134.71billion disbursed in the month of September to N4,476, 067,191.05 in the month of October, representing 5.3 percent decrease.
Aliyu who presided over the 159th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), commended all stakeholders for their cooperation, despite challenges recorded in the past.
The figures released indicate that the sum of N2,530,406,244.92billion was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N1,945,660,946.13billion was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N4,476,067,191.05billion.
However, distributions to area councils shows that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N467,596,505.31 million, while Gwagwalada got N470,262,942.36 million and Kuje received N409,219,387.28 million.
Others include, Bwari Area Council which received N384,085,033.55million, Abaji N401,888, 840.83million and Kwali received N397, 353, 535.59million bringing the total sum to N2,530, 406, 244.92billion disbursed to the six area councils.
Furthermore, distribution to other stakeholders include: Primary School Teachers which gulped N1,566,571,879.02billion with 15 percent Pension Funds which took N226,478,989.57 million, One percent Training Fund which gulped N44,760,671.91 million and 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution accounting for N107,849, 405.63million, bringing the total sum to N1,945,660,946.13 billion.
Those present at the 159th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC), meeting include the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Candido, Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Adamu Mustapha, and Chairman of Abaji area council, Hon. Abdulrahaman Ajiya.
Others are, Mandate Secretary Area Council Services Secretariat, Malam Abubakar Ibrahim, Commissioner representing the FCT in Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, Senator Tanko Abari, representative from the Accountant General Office amongst others.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has attributed the distortions of the Abuja master plan on the excess of estate developers and warned them to desist from such.
FCT Administration also demolished buildings worth millions of Naira located within two estates in Lugbe District of the Federal Capital City (FCC), in its effort to restore the sanctity of the Abuja Masterplan.
Speaking on the demolition exercise, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, Comrade Ikharo Attah said FCTA will not relent to ensure massive monitoring and enforcement against violations in the area.
The affected buildings were duplexes at their various stages of completion inside Seman Estate , behind Dunamis Church, along Airport Road, in the newly designated District in the FCC.
He said the exercise was part of the FCT enforcement component, aimed at curtailing contraventions against land use act in the nation’s capital city.
The FCTA officials accompanied by joint security agencies stormed and demolished some contravening structures situated inside Seman Metropolis Estate behind Dunamis River plate Estate, and Palms Residences opposite ShopRite Pyagasa junction, all in Lugbe.
His words : “At the point of our inauguration, the minister stressed the need to restore the sanctity and dignity of Abuja Master plan, and restore Abuja to the path the founding fathers want it to be.
” The Department of Development Control approached my office to actually clean up some of the things here. So, we have started massively in the area of violations against Abuja Masterplan.
“What the minister asked us to do is to engage and re-engage stakeholders to do the right thing, while still standing that we cannot allow illegality in the FCC.
“We will be doing more inspection, monitoring while also stabilising an ensuring that we enforce very strongly.
“All developers must ensure that genuine land and approved plan before commencing development.
“You must also not exceed your boundary, because we see boundary extensions . So developers who contravene , we will be coming very tough against them, and that is the mandate of the Minister, you can’t rape the Masterplan and go free”, he explained.
One of the affected developer, Mr. Steven Maxwell, MD, Seaman Global Project Ltd, who described the demolition exercise as shocking, however admitted that the process for obtaining approvals for the structures was still ongoing.
He however disclosed that each of the demolished duplexes upon completion is estimated to cost a minimum of 25 Million Naira.
He therefore made a passionate for the FCTA to halt the exercise, so as to enable the firm to do the needful.
