Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has hinted that, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved two projects for the Nation’s Capital at the sum of N56.2 billion naira.

He gave this hint on Wednesday at the end the Meeting of the Council which held on Wednesday 19th January, 2022.

He said that, the projects are for the full scope development of the FCT Highway 105 (Kuje Road) from Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction (Stage 1), at the cost of N54,946,909,160.04 and the construction of access road and car Park for the Abuja Light Rail Gbazango Station (Lot 7) at the sum of N1,291,568,845.33.

Providing insight into the justification for the two projects, the Minister explained that the construction of the road from Kuje to Airport Expressway became necessary because the existing 2-lane single carriage way road is grossly inadequate to carry the current traffic and presently in a deplorable condition requiring frequent rehabilitation.

He stated that, when fully constructed, the road will open up for development, parts of Phase V of the Federal Capital City (FCC) as well as open up the Kuje Satellite Town, while connecting the Airport Expressway to the future Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) in line with the Abuja Master Plan.

According to him, the project will also decongest the vehicular traffic originating from the Federal Capital City (FCC) to Kuje and provide free traffic flow along the route as well as provide an alternative route to Gwagwalada road.

According to Bello, the 9Km road with a spur to Kyami district, is one of the key regional roads of the Federal Capital Territory that traverses the FCT from the North to the South that is planned to link other future Federal Roads to the FCT and other parts of the Country.

Speaking on the access road and car Park for the Abuja Light Rail Gbazango Station, the Minister said the public attraction to the completed Gbazango Train Station in the area has necessitated need to provide immediate access to-and-from the train station and to further enhance maximum functionality Abuja Rail Mass Transit System (ARMTS) of the Federal Capital City (FCC) due to commenced operation.

He further stated that, “The project, when completed, will help to create access and open up the area to allow for physical development to be realized. It will further reduce traffic pressure being experienced on the existing roads within the area as well as link up with the Outer Northern Expressway-ONEX (Murtala Muhammed Expressway)”.

He added that the facility will improve the security situation in the area, create job opportunities as well as the enhancement of socio-economic activities of the FCT.

The Gbazango Station located within Gbazango area of Kubwa Satellite Town is planned to start from the existing Arab Road and connect the train station through a service facility corridor in Gbazango and Kubwa areas.

In order to drive the economic development of the nation, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Mr. Olusade Adesola has called for more support for women.

He made this known when he played host to the President of Women Agro Processors, Agric Gen and Exporters Initiative, Mrs. Esther Adebayo on a courtesy visit to his office.

He , however,describe women as very enterprising, while added that womenfolk are making positive and invaluable contributions in their various communities

The Permanent Secretary in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tony Odey commended the President of Women Agro Processors, Agric Gen and Exporters Initiative for stepping up advocacy campaign to forestall the issue of rejection of Nigeria’s products at the international markets.

He also stressed the need for regulatory Agencies to maintain high ethical standard as part of precautionary measure to nip in the bud the issue of rejection of the country’s goods outside the shores of Nigeria.

Earlier, in her remarks, the President of Women Agro Processors, Agric Gen and Exporters Initiative, Mrs. Esther Adebayo expressed the readiness of the Association to consolidate Nigeria’s economy by offering assistance to the country in the area of agro-processing and export business.

She further explained that part of the mission of the Association include; fostering debate and exchange of ideas, between the Federal Government, Regulatory Agencies, relevant stakeholders and exporters to find lasting solutions that will ensure reduction of rejection of the country’s products at the international markets.

Mrs. Adebayo also used the occasion to call on the National Assembly to immediately carry out constitutional amendment that will compel the 36 States of the Federation to have agro processing factories.

In an effort to boost food security and production , the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has inaugurated a 16-man committee on organic agriculture innovation platform/technical advisory.

Inaugurating the committee on Wednesday, the mandate Secretary FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS), Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim said the committee would help in strengthening the Organic agriculture initiatives across the territory.

He further stated that with the committee more will be done in the area of food security as well as boosting the production.

Ibrahim noted that the committee members were selected from diverse background based on the recommendation contained in the proposed National Policy on Organic Agriculture which would address the challenges of organic agriculture in the Federal Capital Territory.

His words, “The committee is constituted in line with the recommendation contained in the proposed National Policy on Organic Agriculture in anticipation of the purposeful contributions and crucial roles you are going to play in addressing the challenges of organic agriculture in FCT.

“This inauguration is also an indication that that FCT Administration is desirous to make the practice of organic agriculture a reality in the territory” he said.

The mandate Secretary who heads the committee listed terms of the reference to include to propose programs, policies and regulations for the development of organic produce/ products value.

Others are to facilitate mobilization and organizing stakeholders in the Organic farming value chain into viable cooperatives societies that will be capable of supporting their aspirations of deriving health, economic and social benefits from the sector amongst others.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said the administration is not forcing staff to compulsorily take the COVID-19 vaccination, they either come with COVID-19 negative result test, or prove of vaccination.

The FCT Minister Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Comrade Ikaro Attah gave this hint on Tuesday in continuation of the enforcement exercise.

He said , visits to FCTA
Departments and Agencies showed 70 percent compliance, saying, the turnout of individuals who had took their jab since it began was impressive.

According to him, “Like yesterday, we have massive turn out of staff that are fully vaccinated, we have gone to FCT departments and agencies and have seen that the staff are fully vaccinated. What we will continue to insist is that the vaccination is not by force, we are not forcing people to take the job or vaccine. We are only telling people to come with either COVID-19 negative result test, or prove of vaccination.

“We are happy that there is high level of compliance, as of today the enforcement hit 70%, with the impressive turn up and the ongoing vaccination we are almost there” .

While speaking on staff that stay away from their offices, Attah said that the permanent secretary (FCTA), Mr Olusade Adesola said such staff will be treated as someone who stay away from work.

According to him, “The FCT permanent secretary is clear about that, anyone who stays away from the office will be treated as someone who is on the run, and the civil service rule is clear about it. The Permanent Secretary with Director Human Resource Management, Mallam Bashir Muhammed have made it very clear that if you decide to stay at home because you don’t have evidence of vaccination, or COVID-19 negative result test, you will be treated in line with the civil service rule”

Attah stated that COVID-19 vaccination centres are all over the city, thus people are advised to go for their jab, saying the exercise was for no fee.

Ebikun Adekunle, one of the staff who spoke with our correspondent, said “I’m a Staff here , and I got to know that I won’t entre the office without collecting the vaccine or showing proof negative status. This is the main reason I collected the vaccine”.

He attributed his hesitancy to rumours and conspiracy theories surrounding the vaccine especially in the social media.

Similarly, Ebi Blessing, who was on a visit to the FCTA, seen receiving her COVID-19 vaccine jab at the Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Centre in Area 11, said she had no other option than to accept the vaccine, in order to gain access to the government facility.

They wouldn’t allow us to gain access the FCTA premises, except we get vaccinated or present negative COVID-19 test result. So I was not willing but compelled to do so, she said.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister , Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has tested negative to COVID-19 virus.

He made this known in a message he sent on his social media handle via his Facebook titled: “I’m now free of COVID-19” on Tuesday.

His message read in parts, “Best regards to all. Pleased to report that after taking my prescribed course of COVID-19 medication, I feel very well and great. The doctors have confirmed that I’m now free of the virus and it’s OK for me to resume all official activities.

“I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to all those who showed great concern on my health status, through various channels of communication.

“I also wish to commend the FCTA Medical team for their commitment and dedication to duty. All COVID-19 patients in the FCT are truly thankful to you.

“Let me use this opportunity to further reiterate that COVID-19 is very much around. I therefore once more, I appeal to residents to get themselves vaccinated. Doing so could save their lives”.

It would be recalled that the minister came down with COVID-19 on the 31st of December, 2021.

…Says It’s Either Jab Or Valid Negative Test, Nothing More

On Monday, January 17th, 2022, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) made good on its warning by shutting out the unvaccinated and those who forgot their cards at home.

According to our source, began installing heavy security surveillance at all entry points to its offices premises, including FCTA, FCDA, and FCT Departments and Agencies, as early as 7:30 a.m. on Monday morning.

Many employees and visitors were spotted stranded at the gate, muttering and pleading for admittance, but their cries went unheard.

Comrade Ikharo Attah, the FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, who leads the surveillance team, promised that the enforcement would continue to achieve maximum compliance.

He added that no staff or visitors are being forced to take the vaccines, every individual must present either a vaccination card or  a negative COVID-19 test result to gain access to the premises. 

He further hinted that, considering the fact that the cases of  Omicron variant was still surging, stringent measures have to be  taken to protect staff and everyone that has anything to do with the administration. 

According to him, “The administration has given staff enough time to choose between any of the options approved, to avoid the stressed of being turned back at the gate. 

” We have given a full week for advocacy,  and we got a van that went round announcing it. Circulars were also circulated in line with the one earlier issued out by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, that staff who are not vaccinated. 

” Those who say they don’t want to be vaccinated,  will get a negative test result.  So if you bring your vaccination card or the negative test result, any of the two can suffice.

” Even if you feel you should not be vaccinated, then get us a negative test result, not more than 3 days old, and that will get access.

” People thought that we are not serious here, but they have come to let them know that when the Ministers, Malam Muhammad Bello,  Dr. Ramatu Aliyu and the Permanent Secretary say something,  they mean it”.

Offices visited includes: Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Central Area, Social Development Secretariat,  Area 10, Garki, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council,  wuse zone 6 and FCT Primary Health Care Board, Water Board among others,  showed strict compliance.

However, Our correspondent observed that, unvaccinated crowd were seen at various points of vaccination both staff and non staff have to get vaccinated.