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.

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”.