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.
As pressure mounts on the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to release specific timelines for the party’s proposed February national convention, a crucial meeting of the APC Governors is taking place to respond to the call from party stakeholders.
Eighteen governors are currently brainstorming at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, according to sources, in a make-or-break decision to save the party from impending collapse.
The Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC, chaired by Mai Mala Buni, has been accused of various failures, including an apparent scheme to succeed itself, which the Committee has categorically rejected. The Governor is one of the governors who was seen upon arrival.
A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has blamed National Assembly over the content of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, especially on the issue of spending limit for political parties.
Saying, “Section 88 of the bill raised the spending limit for the presidential election from N1 billion to N15 billion – a 1,400 per cent increase. The campaign expenditure limit for the governorship election was raised by 2,400 per cent – from N200 million to N5 billion. Senatorial election was raised from N40 million to N1.5 billion, House of Representatives from N20 million to N500 million, and State House of Assembly from N10 million to N50 million”.
He made this known during a Town Hall meeting on Electoral Bill 2021 organised by Channels Television on Sunday which our correspondent monitored.
Jega hinted that by raising the maximum amount political parties are permitted to spend in elections, the action of the National Assembly will further entrench the phenomenon of ‘money politics’ in the country.
In the meeting monitored by Daily Independent correspondent, Jega wondered where the national assembly expects a presidential candidate to get N15 billion for campaign, saying the national assembly is turning Nigeria’s democracy to plutocracy, the government of the rich.
He, however, called on the national assembly to urgently address the spending limit clause, Jega said it will discourage those who do not have money to participate in politics.
According to him, “It is a very important issue. Where is a presidential candidate going to get N15 billion to run for election or a governor to get N5 billion? Unless you are Dangote or Otedola where you can use your own money”.
“So, what they are doing is that they are turning our democracy into plutocracy- government of the rich, for the rich and by the rich. So, it is a very serious problem. On the one hand you said you are including women and people with disability on the other hand, you are saying those who want to contest need to have a lot of money to be able to contest for a particular office”.
“It is a terrible contradiction and frankly, if people are serious, we have been talking a lot about reducing the influence of money in politics. But what they are doing through legislation is to actually make it more difficult for those who do not have money to be able to contest for office”.
“Left to me, this may be another thing that within the next 10 days, they should be able to really curtail”.
…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.
Following instructions from the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr.Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu to improve sanitary conditions of abattoirs in the nation’s capital, the to Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS) has commenced immediate clean up of the abattoirs.
The Mandate Secretary, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim who supervised and participated in the exercise disclosed that the clean up is in line with the commitment of the Minister of State to promote public health safety and to ensure that abattoirs operations and premises measure up with required hygienic practices.
He further hinted that the exercise which will be continuous is taking place simultaneously in all the abattoirs that are under the supervision of the Agric Secretariat.
According to him, “What you are seeing here today is in response to the directive issued by the Honourable Minister of State who has expressed concern on the State of Abattoirs particularly after the Festive season where the abattoirs were full of activities which resulted to the accumulation of huge waste. Already we have mobilised all our Veterinary and Animal health officials to be part of the clean up and I can assure you that by the end of this week, God willing, the Abattoirs will be totally cleaned”.
In another development, the Secretary met with officials of the FCT Butchers Association to interact with them on the need to cooperate with the Administration in its efforts to discourage the use of tyres in meat processing.
He informed the members that the Secretariat is working towards providing them with affordable and eco- friendly alternatives.
He warned that the Secretariat will not fold its arms and allow practices that constitutes great health hazards to residents.
In his words , “The Secretariat has made provisions in the 2022 budget to procure gas flaring appliances devices which are safer for consumers and cost effective. I hope that you will use your positions to appeal to your members to adopt the new and safer practices “
Speaking also, the Director Veterinary Services Dr. Mrs Regina Ada Adulugba thanked the Hon. Minister of State for matching her words with action towards repositioning abattoir operations the FCT.
As at the time of filing this report, the Secretary has also inspected the clean up exercised at the kubwa Abbatior
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Butchers Association in Karu Abattoir, Ahmed Abdulkadri Cater said , “We are happy to see the ARDS Secretary supervise the cleaning exercise, because during his visit, he promise to do so, and now work has already started.
“And we (Butchers) were called and negotiated with on how to work hand to hand with them to improve hygiene in the Karu Abattoir.
” We have never seen this type ARDS Secretary that handles affairs of the Abattoir like this one, that is why we believe that this government intervention will change hygiene in FCT abattoirs”.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has vowed to investigate the alleged N700 million due to Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Area Council Services Secretariat (ACSS), Alhaji Ibrahim Dantsoho made this known during a familiarisation tour to AMAC .
He, however, promised to investigate the matter of funds raised by AMAC Chairman, Abdullahi Candido.
He added that the government is not unmindful of the prevailing security challenges in the country, saying, all hands must be on deck to ensure that there is peace before, during and after the February 12th, 2022 Area Council elections.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abdullahi Candido hinted that the alleged N700 million due to AMAC is still being withheld by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), saying, there have been conflicting claims between FCTA and AMAC over the body empowered by law to collect certain taxes.
According to him , “There have been conflicting claims between FCTA and AMAC over the body empowered by law to collect certain taxes, especially tenement rates in the city center with Candido insisting that the entire city center, including the very space where FCTA office is located, fall within AMAC’s jurisdiction”.
“But if you refuse to give them, questioning how the volume of the funds will be spent and asking what they will do with the money. I think that is an aberration. When you refuse to speak truth to authority, things will remain unresolved. With the way FCTA relates with the Area Councils, if there is no change, I pity the administration of Area Councils coming behind. Very soon some Area Councils will fold up and go out of business. Things are rough here.
“In AMAC we have salaries close to N200 million. When we get the Joint Area Councils Allocation (JAAC) from FCTA, after one week the money is gone. Constitutionally the council is charged with the collection of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), but the FCTA is also interested in certain things that the Area Council is supposed to do. So with this there is conflict. When we as Area Council serve notices to peoples on what is expected of them FCTA also will serve them the same notice, then we end up in court.
“If I speak, they will say I am rude. But I will remain rude until I leave as the Chairman of AMAC so long as I am protecting the sanctity of the Area Councils.”
On the forthcoming Area Councils election, Candido disclosed that AMAC has already concluded and procured over thirty vehicles that will be presented to the Security operatives next week to ensure safety.
He vowed to hold meetings with stakeholders in FCT to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
He, however,blamed the power tussle on some vested interests bent on undermining the provision of the law in order to frustrate his administration’s commitment to delivering dividends of democracy, he vowed not to stand aside while development eludes his people.
During operations that began at the popular A.Y.A crossroads in Asokoro District on Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) seized over 30 vehicles and arrested six people.
The authorities has initiated a new campaign against unauthorized roadside maintenance shops and motor parks in the city center.
The exercise, according to Comrade Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement, was part of a series of wars the administration has been waging against illegalities in order to maintain Abuja clean and secure for all.
He decried the persistent environmental nuisances in some parts of the city, stated that with the support of FCT Ministers, the joint team involved in the city sanitation exercise, won’t relent, but sustain the tempo.
He hinted that the illegal mechanic workshops, and motor parks operators had been warned severally to vacate the locations, but refused to comply.
According to him, the suspects arrested during the operation, would be charged to Court by relevant agency of government, while the fate of all impounded vehicles solely depends on the verdict of a competent court of jurisdiction.
” Our plans for sustainability is to keep doing the job. That is the only we can defeat illegalities. Look at the numbers condemned tyres that are been evacuated from a highbrow district of Asokoro.
” Attempt to stop doing what we are doing will mean loosing the city, but we won’t allow that.
” This exercise is a combined war against illegalities. We have launched a war against illegal construction and shanties and now unapproved mechanic workshops. We are determined to address all the illegalities holistically”.
Similarly, Kaka Bello, Deputy Director of Enforcement in Abuja Environmental Protection Board, (AEPB) said the intensity of the cleaning exercise was increased to match the strength of those bent on destroying the ambience of the city with their illegal activities.
Bello said that Abuja Environmental Protection Board ( AEPB) had strived to keep the city sanitation upbeat despite the attacks by those promoting illegalities.
Baba Abubakar, Director at FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services ( DRTS) said more synergy will be created by relevant agencies to ensure that operators of the illegal mechanic workshops do not return.
The clean up exercise terminated at Jabi district, where some illegal structures were removed.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that it will soon begin enforcing the legislation against noise pollution by hotels , restaurants, nightclubs and bars by conducting night patrols to verify complaince.
Tpl Umar Shuaibu, the Coordinator,Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), gave this hint in Abuja during ameeting with owners of nightclubs, restaurants , nightclubs and bars, while assuring them that if they follow the rules , they have nothing to fear.
He stated that, their goal was not to victimize anyone, but rather to protect public sanity, safety, and security, and that everyone had rights.
His words; “You have right in this city, but your right ends where somebody’s right is infringed. That is factual. We have to be our neighbours’ keepers and helpers, not becoming a nuisance to our neighbours.
“Even if you operate a restaurant and not a nightclub, but the activities constitute a nuisance to others, then it is an offense in the FCT law. In Abuja Master Plan, we made our land-use plan the way things are needed for the residents.
“Where schools, hotels, markets, and other things need to be in Abuja, they have been planned that way for them to be in the appropriate places. Our concern is how the hotels and nightclubs operate without disturbing other people.
“We must respect our rights. If you know that you are disturbing your neighbours and do not change from it, tomorrow you also will be disturbed. We must make sure that we secure the rights of our neighbours. Security matters are very important in Nigeria presently,” he said.
Also, the Director of Development Control, Muktar Galadima, added that people must respect the Abuja Master plan and standard, saying, the rules and regulations guiding development in the FCT are sacrosanct.
His words; “We are building this city, not for ourselves but generations unborn. We recognized the fact that you are part of the development of the city, but your development should not be to the detriment of the people. If any of your clubs is found wanting, we will seal up the place.
“Noise pollution is an offense. The law states that anybody that plays music and it constitutes noise to others is an offense. We want investors in the city, but your businesses must be done in a way that does not constitute a nuisance to other people.
“Being in business should be in a location that is defined for such purposes, not for anybody to go and secure a residential property and turn it into nightclubs or hotels. It is unacceptable,” he added.
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection, and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, Comrade Ikharo Attah, , however, warned operators of restaurants and bars to resist the temptation to block the roads they operate on, that if they do not take correction, they will have no option but to seal up the place
Saying, “Mostly at Wuse 2, people that patronize restaurants and clubs always block the roads with their vehicles and make the road inaccessible. That is not good and it is unacceptable” .
… Says he ought to regularise his appointment before posting to FCTA
A civil society of Nigeria has condemned alleged purported plans by some cabals of FCTA to superimpose Dr Shuaibu Adamu Director community and social Development Project (CSDP) and Present HOD Agriculture in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to head the international corporation of the Economic Planning Revenue and Public Private Partnerships division.
This was contained in a statement by the President of the Civil Service Watch for Good Governance (CSWGG), Ambassador Abila Garba and made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The statement reads in part; “We want to first of all commend the FCT Minister malam Muhammad Musa Bello for his creative ideas of creating new departments in the FCT and his current appointment of Mandate Secretaries and Heads of departments and we are highly impressed with the massive construction of roads projects currently going on in the FCT being spearheaded by the this administration. But at the same time we rise to condemn vehemently the skimming by top officials of the FCT and the entire idea is spearheaded by Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar Lawal who retired over fifteen years ago in same division. The man is still a staff of AMAC but got the CSDP appointment as a contract one which has expired.
“He ought to regularise his appointment before the posting to any FCTA division but he is being imposed now by the economic planning cabal led by the immediate past director to become Head of international cooperation division.
“Imagine the idea of this retired civil servant who has been retired and laid out of service for over fifteen years ago to replace himself with his candidate in such sensitive office is unacceptable. For God sake he has been retired and tired by the Federal Government why is he bringing someone to takeover the international corporation of this newly created and sensitive division of the FCTA that has more to do with the economic drive of the administration.
“We have been keen followers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and its agencies. We have come to a conclusion that if someone who is currently an HOD in AMAC will be allowed to assume office, demands for serious attention since the All Progressives Congress (APC) is believed to have come with a complete fight against corruption, favoritism and compromise that has eaten deep into the fabric of Nigeria in the past years.
“We have decided to raise this alarm for prompt action by the Minister and for him to intervene and be in the same page with Mr President, because such action, will also send a strong message that President Muhammadu Buhari who is believed would not tolerate incompetency, imposition done by past administration no matter who, should act fast to correct the this anomalies, expecially at a time when the FCTA is faced by a economic challenges. And we saw recently the reversal of NNPC board appointment by the Mr President.
” This act if not carefully stopped will cause a stumblibg block and go further in blocking international corporation which the FCT Administration have enjoyed for so long. Coupled with the nature of ineffectiveness of the revenue drive and failed public private partnership arrangement of the administration over the years.
“This time the FCTA led by the Bello should get it right by looking inward and stop the operation of this cabals who always believed that FCTA is their own and can anything they want and get away with it. the economy planning of the FCTA is nothing to right home about and it is really going down. Revenue in this aspect is key and very important”
The CSO also described the move as a high plot by some high persons in FCTA that has a hidden agenda as“scurrilous campaign to tarnish the image and hard enrned reputation of the minister.
“The bottom line is that Bello’s reputation as a hard working patriot working for the best of the country is about to be rubbished” the statement further reads.
We have needed mineral resources to power electric cars, phones in Nigeria ,the Minister of Mines and Steel Development , Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite has revealed.
He gave this revelation during one of the investors forum at the just concluded Mining Conference in Riyadh Saudi, urged the majors to make a stake in the Nigerian Mining sector, which he noted was one of the most investor friendly in the world.
Adegbite in a statement by his media aide Ayodeji Adeyemi which a copy was made to newsmen in Abuja equally hinted that some major Mining companies had began to express interest in the Nigerian Mining sector.
According to the statement; he also disclosed that the country intends to auction rights to mine some strategic minerals later this year.
“We have strengthened governance and transparency in the sector and provided assurance to investors through the upgrade, automation, and decentralization of the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO); We are improving the connectivity between investors and the public with important geological information through the establishment of a Nigeria Geo-Data Centre at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency” Adegbite said.
The minister also noted that the country had learnt its lessons from over 50 years of resource extraction. “As we deepen our efforts to revitalize the mining sector, we are doing so with lessons learnt from a half-century of resource extraction. We recognize, for instance, that it is not enough to seek investments merely for the sake of exploitation and extraction.
Rather than writing this new chapter of economic growth, our aim is to develop local industries, generate employment, and focus on resource beneficiation to create wealth along the mineral value chain.
Addressing some foreign media organizatios , the minister noted that the federal government had invested $50 million to explore gold, lithium and several other metals.
Adegbite said that: “To date the country has discovered over 44 minerals occuring in commercial quantities across the 36 states and the federal capital Territory. These include gold, lithium, copper, cobalt, oxide, amongst others”.
