Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has challenged the management of the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle cases of drug abuse and addiction among youths and vulnerable persons in our society.
Bello gave the challenge while being briefed at the FCT Social Development Secretariat.
He urged the Secretariat to brainstorm and find best ways of rehabilitating some of the addicts; warning that social issues must be approached with the seriousness it deserves because one social problem has multiplier negative effects on the entire society.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister said: “You all have enormous responsibilities with serious financial challenges which desire proactive steps to effectively tackle them.
“you also have to brainstorm on how to efficiently tackle the knotty problems of street beggars, commercial sex workers as well as street hawking”.
The Minister noted that though there are problems of Master Plan abuse that has taken over plots earmarked for sporting facilities in our neighbourhoods, but something urgent must be done about it.
Bello urged the Secretariat to sit down as a team to generate database for tourism facilities because such facilities would not only provide areas of recreation and sight seeing in and around Abuja, but would equally serve as avenues of generating funds to the government.
Also speaking during the briefing, the FCT Permanent Secretariat, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye asked Directors of the Secretariat to take drastic measures as the professionals they are, to think outside the box to move the Secretariat to enviable heights.
He warned that its not business as usual, so all officers must sit up to deliver quality services that would positively impact on the lives of the residents of the Territory.
The Acting Secretary of Social Development Secretariat, Alhaji Salisu Kallamu, revealed that there are 17 Orphanages in the Federal Capital Territory with only one directly managed by the Secretariat.
Meanwhile, the Minister also received briefs from the management of the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat where he advised the Secretariat to get repositioned to key into the policy of the Federal Government which promotes agriculture and mass food production for the populace.
He assured the management of his Administration’s resolves to help them achieve the goals of the Federal Government in that sub-sector.
The minister encouraged them to hasten, by going into partnership with the Area Councils in order to carry the people along in all their programmes.
The Minister promised that the FCT Administration would soon pay N113 million being counterpart-fund for Fadama III in order to allow FCTA access more facilities in the programme.
The Permanent Secretary during the session also asked the Secretariat to find ways of stopping Poultry farms in residential areas because of its adverse health implication to human habitation especially now that we are battling avian influenza.
Ajakaiye urged them to continue to spur the farmers to greater heights by constantly interfacing with all stakeholders in the farming circle.