The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday stormed some of the city’s most feared flashpoints, arresting 14 suspects, recovering dangerous weapons, and demolishing their shanties in what appeared to be a swift response to public outcry over the city’s ongoing criminal activities and attacks on residents.
The manhunt had the most impact on the Central Business, Wuse, and Jahi Districts, near Bolingo hotels and Church Gate Towers.
Several suspects were apprehended during the raid, which was led by Comrade Ikharo Attah, Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, where he discovered that majority of the underdeveloped plots of land within the city center had been converted into criminal habitations.
Attah, who decried the speed with which criminals were illegally converting all accessible spots into hideouts, warned undeveloped plot owners to clear their plots of criminal activity and begin development.
He added that the revelations uncovered at some of the raided places were frightening, and he asked that the operation be ramped up with all resources available.
Malma Muhammad Musa Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has underlined his determination to muster enough political will to put an end to the illegalities and criminalities, according to him
His words:” We discovered there have been so much intra-city robbery, so from our check we found that the criminals live among the people in shanties, so today we have to commence intensive operations around the Central Business, Wuse and Jahi Districts.
” Most people in Abuja have experienced robbery experience and these places are where the criminals live. We found fresh Indian hem growing and suspected drug addits.
” The FCT Minister is giving us enough political will to continue, so the illegalities can’t continue. Today’s operations were by two teams that have gone round the city, and have reduced the illegal shantiesby over 75 percent”.
Meanwhile, the Secretary FCT Command and Control, department of Security Services, Mr. Peter Olumuji, stated that the operations were in response to the residents complaints of incessant criminal attacks.
He noted that the invasion of these criminal hideouts was to send a signal to all criminals that effective policing of the city has come to stay
While saying that, the operations will not end until, until insecurity is frontally combated for all residents to have a sense of security and safety.
Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), revealed on Monday that the environmental polio virus had infected 121 children across the federation.
This outbreak, according to him, affected 121 people in various parts of the country.
Saying that more than half of the states have at least one case, we are gaining control of the situation and are optimistic that we will be able to overcome it.
Shuaib gave this hinted at the Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee (NTLC) on Primary Health Care (PHC) Delivery’s Third Quarter Review Meeting.
According to him; “With the different disease outbreaks that we are currently contending with, it is imperative that our approach becomes more integrated. This is because they are all interwoven. Amidst COVID-19, we have Cholera, CVDPV2 which is as a result of suboptimal routine immunization in some parts of the country. As we conduct outbreak response campaigns, we need to find a way to integrate our responses for efficient utilization of available resources and to enhance confidence in our people. Integration will also enhance our determination to continue to safeguard our wild polio virus free status. Consequently, Your Highnesses, mobilization, sensitization, advocacy and role modelling efforts should target multiple interventions simultaneously”.
Fielding questions from newsmen on the nature of the polio virus, he said, “There is a clear distinction from the wild polio virus that have been eradicated in Nigeria and the whole Africa continent from the current outbreak of different types of polio virus.
“This is a virus that exist where there is low routine immunization care, where women don’t take their kids for immunization shot against polio, measles and yellow fever like our parents back then used to do. Where there is no full routine immunization and where there us poor water and sanitation then you begin derived to see that the virus is mutating just as you see in COVID-19 mutating same thing applies to polio virus.
“We would be able to mount outbreak responses to make sure that the tools that we are using will ensure that this outbreak stood. We are in control of the situation, hopefully before the end of the raining season, we will be able to carry out enough campaign to make sure we are able to cover this.
“One other thing that is going to help us is that we don’t see this attack again is the increase in immunization coverage. Since 2016 were we recorded 33% of routine immunization it has now increased to about 71% and double the routine immunization coverage, we still have to get to about 90% before we stop seeing this outbreaks of this diseases. We are not there yet, but the unprecedented increase in routine immunization coverage is going to help us. One thing that is clear is that globally there has never been such an increase in routine immunization coverage like we are seeing in Nigeria.
“We will continue to work with traditional rulers, they have been very instrumental to convincing their subjects to take their children for routine immunizations.
“The meeting is in how we can focus on different diseases and the root causes. We can not chase every diseases like cholera, chase CVDPV2, chase Yellow fever, we have to look at the bottom line, this is because people don’t have good water and not observing environmental sanitation.
“The traditional rulers are working on how they could increase the knowledge of their subjects and how they can understand the link between poor water availability and poor environmental sanitation and the need to clear up their environments”, he explained.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee, His Royal Highness, Emir of Argungu , Alhaji Samaila Muhammadu Mera stated that, they have been sensitising their subjects on the need to take their children for routine immunizations.
We are leading by example , we have taken our COVID-19 jabs, most district and village heads have taken their.
He also assured that, they will also ginger their subjects to follow suit.
More so, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo commended the Northern Traditional Leaders for their commitment to the agenda to ensure that Primary Health Care services remains priority for Nigerians and in reducing the risk of preventable diseases and death in our communities.
He added that the role of traditional leaders in eradication of diseases such as small pulse , Ring warm and lately polio are some of the things that really come to mind that their commitment is indeed in the morning right direction.
He also hinted that, we anticipate that this meeting will rekindle the spirit of of volunteerism and caring for each other in our communities to sustain primary healthcare.
Also, the UNICEF Country Representative, Peter Hawkins hinted that Nigeria has a very good immunization infrastructures and certain that we will come out of the outbreak of the environmental polio in no time.
He said, 120 children have so far been infected in 2021 with environmental polio, while adding that, Nigeria account for 70% of polio cases across the continent.
Hawkins further stated that, the out break is across the country and the government of Nigeria and their partners have responded exceptionally well.
According to him, 78 million vaccines had already been utilized through out Nigeria and 50million more are expected in the next months to counter the outbreak.
He noted that, they are implementing the outbreak response to contain the spread of the virus just as we fought wild polio virus together before, we need to fight the pandemic, polio and strengthen routine immunization.
Meanwhile, Dr Omotayo Bolu, the Director Immunization, U. S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is (CDC) also commended the traditional leaders for breaking barials to getting children vaccinated across the country, saying, we will not be here today, if not for the work you have done.
She said, Nigeria has one of the highest number of children with CVDPV2 and also the highest number of unimmunized children globally.
She, however, urged the traditional leaders to prevail on their subjects to bring their children for routine immunizations, saying, we have been successful in getting Nigeria out of wild polio virus, you can help us break the transmission.
The FCT Police Command has arrested Badawi Abdullahi Ahmed ‘m’ 38years, a notorious car thief who specialises in stealing cars from where they are parked.
The suspect Badawi Abdullahi Ahmed stole one blue Toyota Corolla with registration number FKJ 625 DV from where it was parked at Aguiyi Ironsi street Maitama on Tuesday 24th August, 2021.
Upon receipt of the information, Police detectives from Maitama Division swung into action and trailed the suspect to Talata Mafara Zamfara state where he was intercepted and arrested in possession of the stolen vehicle.
One (1) blue Toyota Corolla with registration number FKJ 625 DV, two (2) keys thought to be master keys, and a bag containing mechanical tools were seized from the suspect.
Following the conclusion of the inquiry, the suspect will be arraigned in court.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police for the FCT, CP Babaji Sunday, advised residents to protect their vehicles with extra security measures, while urging inhabitants of the FCT to stay vigilant about security.
The Command reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the safety of people and property in the Federal Capital Territory.
Residents are also encouraged to call these numbers to report any suspicious movements, emergencies, or distress: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.
Call the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) Line: 09022222352 for a commendation or a report on police officer behaviour.
In an effort to reduce unemployment as well as create sustainable means of livelihood for young people in the nation’s capital and Nigeria at large , the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged youths to go into agricultural farming.
Speaking on behalf of the administration, the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Mr. Olusade Adesola gave the urged during the distinguished excellence award organise to wrap up the 2021 Youth International Day Conference held on Friday,3rd September,2021 at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
He hinted that, their diverse potentials disposition and the fact that they constitute the greater percentage of the work force and as such contributes the highest quota to the Gross Domestic Product(GDP) have already given them enormous advantage.
Adesola who further used the occasion to enjoin stakeholders and particiants to come up with robust and far-reaching programmes and policies that will go a long way to impact positively on the living standard of the youths, stressed that doing this, will serve as a recipe for crime reduction.
He explained that the FCT Administration on its part, has over the years been partnering with relevant Agencies to provide employment opportunities, training and empowerment for teeming youths in the Federal Capital Territory. Hetherefore, appealed to the youth to ensure they remain productive, diligent, resourceful and law abiding.
He, however, assured the youth that government would continue to engage and interact with them on regular basis, thanked the organizers for bestowing on him Award of Excellence for his contributions to humanity over the years.
Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Mr. Blessing Akinlosotu said that Nigerian youths have been known to be hardworking, intelligent and resourceful. Hetherefore, implored the Government to create the enabling environment for young people to excel in their chosen careers and also contribute their quota towards the growth and development of the country.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged investors to invest more in the agency, citing the agency’s strategic position, well-structured transportation networks, access to Africa’s largest consumer market, and avalanche incentives offered by the Abuja Technology Village.
During an inspection of the Project site in Lugbe, Abuja, Mr. Olusade Adesola, the Permanent Secretary, revealed this, while adding that the fundamental infrastructure building operations had already evolved to an advanced degree.
He explained that the agency, which is strategically located next to the Nelson Mandela Institution’s African University of Science and Technology and close to other Science and Technology Institutions, provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a massive economic cluster connecting Abuja City Centre and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
He went on to clarify that the agency was established by the FCT Administration in order to diversify the economy and give significant work opportunities for young people.
Adesola also reassured investors that the administration is committed to getting the project up and running as quickly as possible, claiming that it will be one of the administration’s most significant achievements.
Hajiya Hauwa Yabani, the Managing Director of the Abuja Technology Village, who led the Permanent Secretary and other senior management staff of the FCT Administration on a tour of the project site earlier, listed ICT, Agriculture, Energy, Minerals Technology, and other business opportunities available to investors in the Abuja Technology Village.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced plans to renovate over 500 toilets and other projects in schools and communities throughout the six Area Councils.
The Area Councils Service Secretariat (ACSS) made this announcement on Friday, while inaugurating a committee to decide the best course of action.
The FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, who inaugurated the committee, noted that the toilets and solar-powered boreholes needed to be rebuilt to prevent the spread of Cholera and other illnesses.
He said that the administration had carried out many of these programs in collaboration with development partners, but that up to 90% of them had been trashed.
He told members of the committee that the administration was working to alleviate the horrible situation in schools and communities, while pushing them to be diligent in their job in accordance with the terms of reference.
According to him ; ” A recent survey carried out in some communities of the FCT by ACSS, in line with its mandate shows that the 4-compartment toilet facilities and the solar powered boreholes are in a complete state of dilapidation, while over 90% have been vandalised.
” It has become imperative to rehabilitate these boreholes in the FCT schools which will boost the FCT efforts in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic by providing portable water for hand washing and functional toilets in the schools…”, he said
Earlier , the Acting secretary of ACSS, Omolola Olanipekun said the projects is important, as they would also help in the efforts to combat COVID-19 pandemic.
She noted that the Secretariat undertook the survey considering the impact which the absence of functional toilets and portable water will make on the communities.
The Precious Metal Gold Processors and Exporters Association of Nigeria has asked the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for help in setting up a gold buying center in Nigeria’s capital.
The group’s National Chairman, Alhj. Muhammed Ahmed Masud, made the announcement while leading a delegation of his executive to the FCT Minister of State, saying, the center would serve as the next gold trading hub, attracting investors from all over the world, similar to the Dubai Gold Souk in the United Arab Emirates.
Masud further hinted that the center’s creation in Abuja will help to build an enabling environment for the center to operate in line with federal government goals aimed at diversifying the economy away from oil, including gold mining, processing, and exporting.
He said , “The establishment of the Nigerian gold buying centre will no doubt generate more revenue, boost sustainable economy growth, increase investor’s traffic and create job opportunities for the country”.
The national chairman, however revealed that gold mining industry contributed over US$171 billion to global economy, noting that as a major stakeholder in the mining sector the presence of the association in FCT would bring all mining stakeholders together under one umbrella.
In her response, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, assured the group that the administration would partner the association and other viable organisations with programmes and policies geared towards the development of the territory.
The minister, who was represented by the Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Tpl. Mudiyu Mustapha, commended the association for the proposed partnership, assuring that the present FCT Administration has keyed into the federal government policy on diversification.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday raided criminal hideouts in Gwarimpa Ql Estate, arresting 49 suspects.
The suspected criminals were arrested during the ongoing demolition exercise at Yan Kasuwa on 6th Avenue Gwarimpa Estate.
Chairman, Task Team on City Sanitation, Comrade Ikharo Attah, who led the operation, said the 49 suspected criminal stopped passerby and dispossessed them of their belongings at gun point after the joint team had finished its operation.
According to him, “Most of the criminals took advantage of the cleanup exercise and went on looting spree, dispossessing passerby of their belongings with guns and knives .
“This shows why we are demolishing Illegal structures, there are illegal structures, shanties and fence almost everywhere in Gwarimpa Estate, these are criminal hideouts which we will not allow to stay”.
Attah, regretted the increasing shanties in the Federal Capital Territory and warned that the present administration under the minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello would not allow illegality to become the order of the day.
The Task Team chairman condemned the act of post-demolition looting and assault on innocent residents.
Mohammed Awwal an Immigration officer, one of the victims who spoke with newmen said, they forcefully collected my mobile phone and food stuff with cash in the vehicle while I was driving to pass through this place. I have identified one among those arrested”
The 49 suspects who have turned the demolition exercise into looting spree have been taken to Efab Police station, Galadimawa under Gwarimpa Estate for more interrogation and prosecution.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday stormed Gwarimpa (the largest single housing Estate in Abuja) and demolished some illegal markets as well as a renowned tipper garage.
This, according to the administration is part of its continued city cleanup exercise.
The Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation, Comrade Ikharo Attah, who led personnel to the operations, hinted that the effort, which will last several days, intended to keep Gwarimpa from becoming a slum.
He said that the underground markets and Tipper garage had gradually become a safe havens for criminals and other hoodlums, who constitute both nuisance and security threat.
Attah further added that the daily chronic traffic bottleneck in various portions of Gwarimpa was also related to illegalities resulting from the illegal tipper garage’s activities.
He went on to say that sanitation was even more vital since it corrects violations of both AEPB and FCT Urban and Regional Planning laws committed by citizens.
According to him ; ” We are removing illegal shanties markets and Tipper garage. The most painful thing is that the transit corridors have been taken over by shanties squalors
” It has become a serious contraventions against the Abuja Environmental Protection Board Act and the Urban and Regional Planning laws.
” We gave them notices and warnings since January and for the past one week, we have been coming here to warn them to move out, and they refused to move, we have also warned them to stop contributing money to bribe people.
Earlier , Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Enforcement and Control leader, Kaka Bello, said that measures have been put in place to secure the reclaimed area, so as to avoid a return of the nuisances.
He, however, debunked the allegations that some undisclosed agents of AEPB were collecting unspecified amount of money as bribe to illegally occupy the places.
He also warned that people should stop falling to the schemes of unscrupulous agents who often parade as staff of AEPB , just to defraud the unsuspecting members of the public.
Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu. Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has shared a total sum of N4,119, 421,409.95 billion to the six Area Councils in the FCT and other stakeholders, as its share of statutory allocation for the month of July 2021,
The figure shows an increase of revenue from the N2,660, 740, 632.40 billion disbursed in month of June, to N4,119, 421,409.95 in the month of July, representing over 50 percent increase.
Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, FCT Minister of State, who presided over the 156th Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) in Wednesday commended all critical stakeholders for their cooperation, despite challenges recorded in the past.
She hinted that the decline in the allocation was as a result of increase in the statutory revenue allocation from the federation account.
The figures released indicate that the sum of N2,209,783,886.19 billion was made available for distribution to the six area councils, while the sum of N1,909, 637, 523.77 billion was made available to other stakeholders, bringing the total sum to N4,119,421,409.95 billion.
The distribution to area councils show that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), received N435, 351, 708.77 million, while Gwagwalada got N409,111,766.45 million and Kuje received N347,756,153.64 million.
Similarly, Bwari Area Council received N325,387,924.28 million, Abaji got N355,643,246.88 million and Kwali received N336,533,086.17 million bringing the total sum to N2,209,783,886.19 billion disbursed to the six area councils.
Furthermore, distribution to other stakeholders include: Primary Teachers which gulped N1,534, 114,914.46 billion, 15 percent Pension Funds took N226,478,989.57 million, One percent Training Fund gulped N41,194,214.11 million, while 10 percent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107,849, 405.63 million, bringing the total sum to N1,909,637,523.77 billion.
The minister charged chairmen of the area councils to initiate projects that would benefit the rural communities, just as she decried infrastructural dearth in the area council.
According to her, “With the improved revenue allocation to your various councils, you should begin to initiate projects that will benefit the rural people. The infrastructural dearth in the area councils and satellite towns does not speak well of the administration. Much has been achieved in the city, but regrettably we have seen much in the suburbs. Use what you have now to do something for your people.”
She, however, called for more commitment 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.
