The Federal capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has demolished over 1000 makeshift houses built by hoodlums in Ruga around Kukwuaba District railway corridors in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the nation’s Capital City.

It was gathered that about 2,400 shanties would be demolished at the end of the exercise.

Speaking to newsmen immediately after the exercise, the Director , Department of Development Control  Muktar Galadima said the exercise became necessary to curtail festering security threats around the territory.

He, however, noted that apart from security threats to Abuja, the shanties were becoming serious environmental hazard within the railway corridors and it must not be allowed to continue. 

Galadima also vowed that the exercise would be sustained with weekly monitoring to ensure that the hoodlums do not reassemble. 

According to him; ” The illegal squatters are notorious of defying the laws, and disregarding government orders.

” This is in continuation of implementation of the FCT mandate of the next level by ensuring that we checkmate the issue of security challenges as well as bringing orderliness and sanitation to the nation’s capital city environment. 

” So far,  we have cleared over three hundred shanties (temporary structures made of batchers and sacks. The work  is ongoing,  so we will continue till the end.

He continued; ” We had series of consultation with them, because in the spirit of the current administration, we don’t just move in, we are to do some engagement and consultation, so that the people would be fully be aware. And that’s what we have done with the community here. 

 “We are going to make some investigations, so as to know what is the land is meant for, is it allocated, but if it’s not allocated to anyone, what is the intention of the FCTA over this land, then we can tell the relevant authorities or department to take over and do what is necessary. 

” We are going to sustain the effort, because we are not going to abandon the place, that’s why in the next two weeks we will come back, and if we discover that they are back to the place, we will come and do what is necessary”.

However , the Chairman, FCT Ministerial Taskforce on City Sanitation, Comrade Ikharo Attah said that the
place was growing too fast and had certainly became notorious for rape and other crimes.

Attah noted that about 2,400 shanties around the area would be removed and the sanitation would be sustained.

” From my own assessment, what will eventually go here will be about 2,400, because even as at today, the bulldozers are still working”.

Similarly, Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the FCT Minister, Ahmed Rashid said;
“This settlement based on security assessment, 90% of crimes been perpetrated in Wuye and Kukwuaba districts are from this shanty settlement. And based on intelligence and due diligence from all the security agencies, I think if we remove this kind of settlement everybody within this area, would go to sleep.

He added that, the exercise is part of the mandate of the Minister to clear up the railway corridors. Just few months ago, some people from this village attacked and broke four of the glasses (windows) of the train on test running.

Saying, It’s good for us (FCTA) to remove the shanties to make sure that the railway corridor is safe and people in Wuye and Kukwuaba Districts and the whole at large.

We made strategic planning with the Department of Development Control and security agencies, so that we will not allow this kind of settlement to come up within the Territory, he added.

He stated that, the Director, Development Control Department has set up a team to do a follow-up cleaning, which on a daily routine, in conjunction with security agencies, so that this kind of illegal settlement will not come up again. This is the best approach for security control of a city like Abuja.

Meanwhile , Secretary to the Chief of Ruga Community, Usman Abubakar said, they don’t have any right whatsoever to question the demolition of structures by the relevant authorities of government , because they are doing the right thing.

According to him, But the only issue is that we are pleading with the government to consider us as Nigeria citizens, as we have been living here for more than twenty-five years, so we are looking for any assistance from the government, in order to stop doing this kind of thing.

“We will be satisfied if government can give us a small land in this Abuja, so that we will occupy and settle down.

“Considering that our children especially youth and our women are living here, but now many of us have nowhere to go from here.

“We are pleading with the government to consider helping us, because the incident has affected at least five hundred households”, he said.

Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Minister of State Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday flagged off sales of buffer stock comprising 7,200 bags of maize and 2,500 bags of guinea corn of 50kg bags each at 50 percent subsidized rate to residents of the nation’s capital.  

While also reiterated the commitment of the administration to creation of jobs through the agriculture value chain, adding, that a number of local and multi-national companies are in the process of finalising investment commitments in various agricultural value chains within the FCT.  

Amity made this commitment at the official flag off of the public sales of subsidized buffer stock grains and distribution of motorcycles to agriculture extension agents.

The minister maintained that the decisions of multi-national companies and Africa Development Bank (AfDB) to invest in FCT would help boost productivity and integrate production, processing, distribution and most importantly, create jobs and wealth for the teeming youths.  

She, however, used the occasion to commend President, Muhammadu Buhari, for his foresight in giving administrative backing towards strengthening local capacities in food production, adding that the administration has placed priority on the agricultural sector in order to unlock its abundant potential.  

Her words ; “It is in heeding to this clarion call that the FCT Administration has been making efforts to open-up the Agricultural landscape and attract suitable investment, and I make bold to say that our efforts are beginning to yield the desired results.  

“We are presently engaged in the process of fine-tuning discussions with the African Development Bank (AfDB), towards the smooth take-off of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) as well as the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP).  

“This is in addition to a number of local and multi-national companies that are in the process of finalising investment commitments in various agricultural value chains within the FCT”.

 
In a another development, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, also flagged off the harvest and sales of products by beneficiaries at FCT Aquaculture and Allied Trades center for youth and women in Kwali area council.  

Aliyu , also revealed that the conceptualization of the projects by the FCT Administration was aimed at addressing problems of poverty by creating viable source of livelihood especially for the less privileged members of the society.  

Earlier in his remarks, the Acting Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mr. Ibe Prospect, said the buffer stock programme was an initiative practiced globally, aimed at ensuring the availability of agricultural produce to the public at affordable rate.  

He, however, assured residents of the territory of the administration’s continued commitment to quality service delivery, while appealing to residents to cooperate with the committee in the smooth conduct of the sales exercise.  

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu Monday inaugurated two committees on the distribution of grains and committee on the sales of fertilisers and other agro-chemical inputs in the nation’s capital.

This, she said is in fulfillment of the Administration’s desire to ensure governance serves the people and to address food security,

While inaugurating the 13-man committees in Abuja, the minister said that the events are in fulfilment of the administration’s desire to ensure that governance serves the people.  

The minister who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Administration and Strategy, Prof. Muhammad Usman, stated the terms of reference of the committees to includes: “to determine available stock and work out modalities for the sales, and to arrange for the flag-off and subsequent sales of the fertilisers, pesticides and agro-chemicals”.  

She, however, charged the committee members to work diligently to ensure that the exercise meet its objective, warning that the committees ensure that “grains are released from warehouses, and made available to the residents of the territory in a manner that is free, in a manner that is fair and in a manner that is transparent”.  

According to her; “I have on behalf of the entire FCT Administration led by Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, the singular honour and privilege to welcome those of you from the Area Councils to this event. This morning activities and events are in fulfillment of the administration’s desire to ensure that governance serves the people and that in the true spirit of democracy, governance should be people’s oriented.  

“As you are aware, it is an annual ritual practice, that the administration buys off excess harvest from our farmers, therefore, giving them value for their efforts and labour at the end of the season. And before the new harvest, when prices naturally on the increase because of reduce supply in the market, the administration releases the buffer stocks to ensure that prices are regulated if not drastically lower, for the benefit of the residents of the territory.  

“This morning, in the wisdom of the administration, individuals have been carefully selected to be saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring that the exercise meet its objective. That grains are released from warehouses, and made available to the residents of the territory in a manner that is free, in a manner that is fair and in a manner that is transparent”.  

The minister also stated that the administration would be counting on the wisdom, and the ability of the committee members to diligently discharge those responsibilities.  

Speaking on behalf of the committees, both chairmen of the two committees, Mr. Abdul Agbade, who chairs committee on grains distribution, and Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim, who chairs committee on fertilisers and other agro-chemicals respectively pledged their willingness to deliver on their mandates.  

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the Honourable Minister of State FCT for the confidence reposed in us and will not toy with it. We will try as much as possible to discharge our responsibilities with the fear of God and in accordance with our terms of reference.  

“Residents of the FCT need to be assisted in this trying times. We are just coming out of COVID-19 pandemic and everybody knows the crisis we are facing in food security. The prices of food stuffs are going up in the market and the people need to be assisted. We will do our best to ensure that these grains are sold to the people in need,” he assured.  

…As NCDC, FCTA Reviews Number of Discharge Active Cases

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday hinted that only 526 cases of Covid-19 are now on admission in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

The new figures were published on the official website of the NCDC as at 12 noon on Friday, September 18, 2020.

This follows the reconciliation of figures by officials of the NCDC and FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat over the weekend.

Briefing newsmen on the issue, the Acting Secretary of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Mohammed Kawu said after release of new guidelines on discharge from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat adopted the criteria to be able to discharge the high number of active cases in the Community.

He , however, noted that, the reconciliation became necessary in order to put to rest the disparity of figures between the NCDC and FCT Administration in respect of the actual number of active cases in the nation’s capital.

According to him , to improve Sample collection during the lockdown period, FCT commenced Active Case Search and Community testing based on available data of confirmed cases.

He stated that with increasing volume of tests in the FCT including persons of interest (POIs), majority refused admission into the treatment Centres, resulting in large numbers of confirmed cases in the Community. These cases continue to contribute to large numbers of active cases being reflected in the FCT Statistics.

According to him; “Based on new guidelines on discharge from NCDC including discharge of active cases in the Community, FCT adopted the criteria to be able to discharge the high number of active cases in the Community.

Out of a total of 5461 COVID – 19 cases as at 13th September, 2024 were admitted in the various treatment centers with 1925 discharged and 36 deaths while 64 were still on admission. An additional 38 deaths were recorded outside the treatment centres. Leaving a total of 3462 cases considered to be active.”

“Also, based on our finding and in line with the NCDC guideline for community discharge, the FCT has actually discharged 2967 cases (2958 alive & well + 9 Deaths) from the community. Therefore, as at 13th September 2020, FCT has only 495 active cases of COVID-19.

Kawu added that “on the basis of the new NCDC discharge criteria, we consider all cases that are 3 weeks or more from the date of confirmation to be inactive and discharged from the COVID-19 pathway. That way, we were able to separate the difference between those cases that were actually treated in our Isolation centres and those who remained in the community for more than three weeks after confirmation”.

With this development, the NCDC website indicates that Lagos now has the highest number of active COVID-19 cases with 3,318 followed by Oyo 1,085, Plateau is third with 922 while FCT now occupies the fourth position on the table with 526 active cases.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the management of FCT Women Rehabilitation Centre located at Sabo-Lugbe in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the nation’s capital.  

Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, FCT Minister of State presided over the signing of the MoU called on both parties to respect the terms and conditions spelt out in the document, just as she revealed that the centre would be managed by NAPTIP for a period of two years.  

She, however, commended the Director General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, for her doggedness in the battle against trafficking in person, also called for collaboration and synergy between relevant agencies in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.  

According to her; “I want to appreciate our sister, the Director General of NAPTIP, who is always there for the plight of the vulnerable women and youths, and anything against their fundamental human rights. She goes out of her comfort zone to ensure that none is maligned in the society. And today’s event has demonstrated her zeal to go out of her ways to look for more decent accommodation for our vulnerable women.  

“These are all the giant strides of a leader and we appreciate you and your team. Hopefully and sincerely, under this period of two years, all that is written here is legally binding on both parties. And as the custodial of state charged with the responsibility to oversee the signing of this document, I sincerely hope that today will mark the beginning of many beautiful things to come”, the minister affirmed.  

Aliyu also called on the management of NAPTIP to ensure that the facility becomes a point to reckon with in the management of vulnerable women and youth, while praying that the facility would provides the needed shelter to all those in need.  

Earlier, the Director General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, commended the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, for their support in matters relating to trafficking in person and other related offences.  

She, however, assured the FCT Administration that the collaboration between the two parties would yield positive results, stressing that the centre would be a beckon of women rehabilitation and empowerment.  

Her words ; “You have been very supportive to our agency. I want to assure you of this existing synergy and collaboration between my agency and FCTA, is going to be bigger and better and we are not going to take it for granted.  

“I also want to thank you for giving us the opportunity of getting to this stage of signing an MoU. Thank you for giving us a facility where women will be rehabilitated and empowered, where children of victims of trafficking, victims of sexual and gender based violence will be empowered and rehabilitated.

She further hunted that it is going to be a joint collaboration between FCTA and NAPTIP. While assuring that we are going to make good use of the facility”.  

The Federal Capital Territory  Administration (FCTA) on Wednesday revealed that , it has commenced total removal of illegal signage and outdoor advertisement infrastructures within the nation’s capital, while adding that, it will also prosecute those who promotes them.

Dr Babagana Adam , the Director, Department of Outdoor Advertising and Signages (DOAS) , gave this revelation on Wednesday in Abuja, saying, already about 2,747 of such have been evacuated from different parts of the city.

He stated that, while residents and business promoters have refused to comply with international standard required in outdoor advertising,  the agency has intensified efforts towards sanitizing the city and ensuring that all conforms to the city’s masterplan.

He , however, warned private companies or corporate organizations that litter the streets with all manner of advert materials under the guise of  cooperate social responsibility packages .

DOAS boss further stated that, the agency will no longer allow the proliferation of kiosks with whatever name, as well as uninformed signages, as it is clear  violation of global standards.

Adam hinted that, DOAShad also commenced redesigning of streets and major high ways signages within the city centre to ensure standardization and environmental protection.

His words; “We have install 36 signages in the city, 2, 747 illegal ones have been removed. This is to help bring about standardization, regulations and environmental control.

“The department is not against anyone’s progress but to ensure that things are put in place for the good of all” he said.