Category: Abuja Review

Despite repeated assurances that the fuel crisis crippling activities in Abuja would soon abate, residents are still groaning under excruciating pains in the long queues at the petrol filling stations, leading to unofficial hike in pump price of premium motor spirit (popularly called petrol), extortion and other upsetting circumstances. GBENGA OMOKHUNU, who monitored agonies of motorists struggling to purchase petrol in the Federal Capital Territory for weeks, reports that the situation is getting worsen by the day

Over a month, in September to be precise, Abuja was hit by fuel scarcity as a result of the flood that took over almost the entire city of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, thereby preventing fuel tankers from accessing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The fuel scarcity crisis it has created still persists in Abuja. While most of the filling stations are shut, a few dispensing the product have hordes of customers with apprehension written all over their faces as they spend valuable man-hours – sometimes days on vehicular lines.

 This fuel scarcity is indeed bad timing because many big and small businesses have started experiencing hard times. Despite the Federal Government’s promises that the fuel crisis is reducing and that tankers have started passing through Lokoja to Abuja, long queues are still noticed across Abuja. In some filling stations in the city and suburbs, fights had been common among the crowd who often bought in jerry cans.

A visit to most filling stations across Abuja showed that they were under lock with petrol attendants milling around the empty premises. The few that do sell the product have to contend with long queues of desperate motorists struggling to gain access to their premises in order to buy fuel. However, for black market operators, it is a time to smile to the banks. In virtually all areas of the city, particularly in front of petrol stations that claim not to have fuel, young men with kegs of petrol openly displayed their wares to motorists to buy their products.

 The black market price of petrol ranges from N3,000 to N4,000 for a 10 litre container. At the Total filling station close to the Police Headquarters in Area 11 Abuja, a long line of cars can be seen waiting to buy petrol. And just beside the queue, black marketers operate freely selling the product to those who are unwilling to wait. A black market operator, who pleaded anonymity, said they have to pay extra to the fuel attendants in order to get the product, which they then sell to motorists at higher prices. He said that, at times, they have owners of cars who gain access to the petrol stations, fill up their tanks and then sell the entire content at a profit to black marketers waiting patiently outside the premises of such petrol stations.

Another marketer claimed that security operatives are ‘settled’ periodically so that they can operate unmolested outside the filling stations. Along the Area 1 highway, many of the young men can equally be found selling to motorists who are unwilling to join the long line of cars waiting to buy from the major Conoil distributor in area one.

 This explains why many filling stations do not dispense into jerry cans or other containers during the period of fuel scarcity. Ironically, many of these stations still sell to those who run the black market business. Many small businesses depend on petrol for their power generators especially now that hours of power supply had reduced in many parts of the FCT. Hairdressers, fashion designers, electronics repair technicians, cold room operators, restaurants and hotels often depend on generators to appeal to customer’s wants and demands.

 Also, two of the biggest ride-hailing services in Nigeria, Uber and Bolt, have increased the cost of rides within Abuja. Most working-class Nigerians who do not have cars or do not wish to drive rely heavily on these companies for their daily commuting. For example, a ride from town to the airport that would typically cost between N3, 000 to N3, 500 increased to N7, 000. The effect of the fuel scarcity is biting as many businesses and individuals have expressed anger and frustration.

Abuja residents react

For Ibrahim Sani, a civil servant, commuting in Abuja since the onset of the fuel scarcity and long queues at the filling stations has been more difficult than you can ever imagine. Sani said: “This fuel scarcity is crazy. For us as car owners, we don’t just dread the scarcity; we also fear that we don’t buy the bad fuel so that you don’t knock your engine. I picked up my car at the mechanic’s yesterday and he was telling me that some cars had engine failure due to the bad fuel.

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 “And these are expensive cars like Ford, GMC that their engines might cost about N3 or N4m. Of course, there is a spike in the prices of things generally due to the fuel scarcity. Commuters are now at the mercy of keke, bikes and buses. A lot of people just need to get to one place or another. Let’s not even talk about the traffic. It definitely can take a toll on one’s mental health. It is just sad that this is happening and I hope the government can find a lasting solution to this. The economy is bad already; so any addition to it just makes it worse. I don’t even want to imagine what the low income earners are going through. It is a really tough period for everybody.”

 Emeka Njoku, a small business owner, told Abuja Review that he relies on electricity and power generators to run his business and both have failed him lately. “The petrol scarcity has affected us greatly. Businesses are impacted because we rely more on petrol so it means we have to ration what we have and sometimes, we may need to shut down earlier than necessary. We are losing money due to extortion and petrol attendants are lords at this time. It is an opportunity for them to make extra money, harass, abuse, and disrespect people.

 “We lose time while waiting in line to get petrol. And it affects everything. Almost everyone is losing his or her sanity. The fuel scarcity has caused an unnecessary aggression from commercial drivers towards their passengers. The effect is enormous and it shows the responsibility of the government at times like these: the way they react and what they say to citizens.”

 Ade Ojo, a student who was at a filling station in town, told our correspondent that car owners had to pay N500 before the attendants would sell petrol. Many commercial drivers corroborated the development, adding that many petrol attendants are making money through that means whenever there is fuel scarcity.

 Some fuel stations on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Road, Abuja, are bombarded by queues. Many vehicles, mostly privately-owned, lined up in close proximity from the station, right to the highway. As usual, just a stone’s throw from one of the fuel stations, you’d find a male black market seller, displaying two 15-litre kegs of fuel for sale at an outrageous price.

 A banker, Chioma Chukwu, while waiting in line to buy fuel, said: “The hike in fuel price has been with us for a very long time. The major issue is the scarcity of fuel. I reside in Kuje; you can drive through a filling station where they have more than 20 pumps, but they will be selling with only one or two pumps. I think that’s the major cause of the very long queue we see all the time.”

 Many bemoaned that sometimes, after waiting for about three or four hours on the queue, by the time it is their turn, the fuel attendants would lock up the filling stations, claiming they had run out of fuel. Sadly, just like herself, countless other private motorists would have to drive to other filling stations around town to start looking for fuel all over again until they could.

 Another Abuja resident, Sunday Oni, described the whole chaos as “an energy-and time-sapping situation that is avoidable. For me, black market is not an option. I’ve heard stories about how people’s cars and generator sets got faulty because they were bought from black market.”

While some petrol stations in Abuja sell at N165 and N162 per litre, other filling stations currently sell at N300 per litre. And when people run out of steam waiting to buy at N165, they succumb to buying at N300 per litre. Consequently, the masses bear the brunt of the extra charges, reflecting on foodstuff prices and transport fares. Oni said: “The best thing the government should do is to make sure they keep to their word by ensuring that there is enough fuel to go round to avoid a crisis. This has affected me, my friends and my family members. When you get home, everyone is complaining bitterly. It’s not just about the financial implications.  It also affects one’s emotional and mental stability.  You are thinking of how to get fuel the next day and where. It is becoming more unbearable. No light, no fuel. Many of our old ones who feed daily on the grinding machine cannot get little fuel for their machines. People are suffering!”

 Some commuters are also worried that the new hike in public transport fares may not be reversed even when the fuel crisis ends. This has been the norm. A motorist, John, said he leaves his home early at the outskirts so he would not be caught in the massive holdup that takes place every morning along the Nyanyan expressway.

 He said he is able to conserve the little fuel he is able to secure every day. “Now that the present government is on its way out, I don’t think that they are concerned about the plight of the people anymore. Or how can one explain this fuel crisis. It’s as if there is no government in place,” he lamented.

 Many motorists also allege that some of the filling stations selling fuel have adjusted their pumps to cheat unsuspecting motorists. Although the pricing on the pumps still read the normal N165 dictated by the government, it is alleged that many have tampered with the pumps in order to lower the quantity dispensed to motorists. It was gathered that the practice is slowly gaining a foothold in many places in the outskirts of the capital city, especially parts of Nasarawa State.

The fear that danger looms over the likelihood of flood in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, is giving many residents serious concerns. However, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and other bodies saddled with responsibilities to monitor weather fluctuations and manage public emergencies appear to be working round the clock. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

Abuja residents are still expressing fear over the level of flood. While many have continued to ignore the flood alert, some still see nothing wrong in dumping refuse into running water especially during the rainy season. According to the forecast, the rains are expected to be “predominantly intermittent” and will come with isolated thunderstorms, flash flooding of roads, low-lying settlements and river channels.”

Some residents, who spoke with Abuja Review, said the flood forecast has added to their economic and security concerns. It was learnt that many residents have now resolved to stay indoors, during rainfall, except their purpose of going out is too critical. They are apprehensive that a downpour could end with a massive flood that could make it difficult if not impossible to go out.

In previous years, some residents had lost their lives when their cars were swept off the road by the roaring flood. Few days ago, some communities were ravaged by flood due to nonadherence of warning by Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). On how to further avert flood, a civil servant, Mr. Chukwudi Eze told our correspondent that his group in Lugbe has decided to use various social media platforms to warn people in their neighbourhood to heed the flood warnings. Eze noted that the people’s fears have also spiked as a result of previous flood incidents that killed many people. It was gathered that the scenario is becoming a great concern to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said it has put in place some measures to avert the negative effects of flooding across the city. Last week, the Director General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, said the agency had taken some proactive measures to ensure that lives and properties were protected in the event of any flood. The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has advised residents to comply with early flood warnings from the weather forecast agencies. Idriss gave the advice the FEMA Annual Review and Preparedness Meeting with over 250 local divers, community vanguards, flood rescue teams and 50 town criers.

Idriss said the meeting came at a time when flood warnings from the weather forecast agencies, especially the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), are issuing serious flood alerts almost every day. According to him, as soon as the agency gets an early warning on floods, it will disseminate the information so that people will take advantage of the early information.

He, therefore, urged residents to ensure that they get information about the way they will pass through before leaving their homes, offices and markets. “FCT residents must also ensure that they don’t block drainage, and avoid building on the waterways.”

The Director of Forecasting Response Mitigation of FEMA Mrs. Florence Wenegieme said the event was organised to review situations with stakeholders, especially the local divers, volunteers, vanguards, local emergency committee and town criers. “We have almost 600 volunteers, local divers, and town criers. The meeting is by representation,” she said.

Also, the Director-General, Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr Clement Nze, reiterated the resolve of the agency to deepen partnership with FEMA in coordinating issues around water and flooding. “I will say that we are aware of most of the activities of State Emergency Management Agency and out of all of them FEMA is on top in terms of being relevant on community development. We are delighted to associate ourselves with FEMA based on what we see on ground being done by the DG. I want to urge the divers and vanguards, local emergency committee, town criers and flood rescue team to see their role as very important in tackling flood in FCT.”

Similarly, the Director-General, NiMet, Prof. Mansur Matazu, also expressed willingness of the agency to deepen partnership with FEMA, adding that the agency has been very cooperative in emergency management. Represented by Mr Kamorudeen Alao, the Assistant General Manager, Hydro, Matazu said the partnership which was beyond the issue of downscaling would continue to grow stronger.

On his part, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Mustapha Ahmed, said the meeting was very critical to mitigating floods and other disasters in the FCT. Represented by Mr Agbor Etim, NEMA’s Principal Search and Rescue Officer, Ahmed said disaster management was all encompassing, adding that everybody needed to be on board to help ensure effective disaster management.

It was learnt that following the failure of some residents to heed all legal warnings over the impending flood disaster, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has embarked on an aggressive demolition of buildings constructed along the waterways. Most recently, over 200 buildings constructed on waterways at Dutse Makaranta, a densely populated suburb in Bwari Area Council, have equally been demolished.

The FCTA said it could no longer wait for unwilling residents to comply with early warnings to save lives, after the destructive flooding that occurred in the community a few days ago. Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Ikharo Attah, who led the demolition team to the community, said it would be very irresponsible for any government to wait for residents who were not willing to obey extant laws on town planning and development.

Attah, who expressed utmost disgust that occupiers and owners of the buildings on waterways in the community have deliberately refused to heed warnings, said the administration was wielding the big stick to save lives, properties and the environment. He noted that it was an act of God that the heavy flooding that swept through the area four days did not leave any record of death, sparing the government any careless social media backlash.

He explained that the owners and occupiers of the buildings on the waterways had been warned and asked to leave the area from the onset, but refused to comply; hence the forceful ejection. Attah was particularly bitter that some of the demolished buildings belonged to a private school and churches where innocent children, wards and worshipers would have been swept away, had the flooding occurred on a work day or even during religious festival.

“We hope that this will send a strong message to all those who have been on water plains and corridors. But we wonder how people will put their buildings without a building plan approval and now they are telling us to try and understand. FCTA has marked the buildings from foundation level, they have been warned to leave that this is a disaster zone. They kept marking at window and roofing levels, warning them to leave that flooding was coming, but they never believed,” he said.

A resident of Dutse Community, Ibrahim Zoro confirmed that those affected by the demolition actually were aware that the area was prone to flooding, but ignored all warnings. Zoro, who claimed he has lived in the community for about 20 years, acknowledged that the flooding that occurred a few months ago was unprecedented. He claimed that the indigenous people should be blamed for whatever destruction the flooding had caused, as they have continued to resell the plots after each demolition exercise. Zoro also commended the efforts of the administration for removing the buildings, saying that it has saved the community from further disasters.

 

Lagdo Dam: FCTA warns Abuja residents to respect flood alerts

 

In view of the situation, FCTA has advised residents against ignoring early flood warnings from the weather forecast agencies. Idriss said the rising water levels in the nation’s major rivers in the country, especially River Niger and River Benue, coupled with the threats coming from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon were issues of great concern. The FEMA boss stressed the need for residents to abide by and obey the early warnings, which are being issued to them from time to time through conventional and social media.

He said that as soon as the agencies get a flood early warning, they will disseminate the information so that people will take advantage of it. Idriss, therefore, urged residents to ensure that they get information about the roads they will pass through before leaving their homes, offices, and markets.

“The reason why we call for this meeting is first to alert our local divers, volunteers, vanguards, and town criers on the likelihood of flooding. Secondly, is to call on the residents of the Federal Capital Territory to be on their alert as well that all is not well yet. We have to be watchful, we have to keep observing those environmental laws and we also have to abide by the building code. FCT residents must also ensure that they don’t block drainages, avoid building on the waterways and also avoid driving on running water. People shouldn’t undermine water they see on the road to think that they have a high capacity vehicle that moves on running water,” he said.

 

 

 

 

With the collapse of a two-storey building last Friday in Kubwa where two people died and five injured, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun integrity tests on all high-rise buildings around the area. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

The news of the collapsed two storey building last Friday in Kubwa where two people died and five injured did not go down well with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), especially the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello.

For a while now, the nation’s capital has not experienced building collapse. It would be recalled that there was pandemonium in Kubwa village in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) when a two-storey building collapsed in the area, which trapped five people. An eye-witness, who identified himself as Ibrahim Damjuma, who lives very close to the scene of the incident, explained that the building collapsed at about 11pm on Thursday night. According to him, they were outside their house discussing when they heard a loud sound, and that was when they realised that the building had collapsed.

“Immediately, we rushed to the collapsed building because we knew that there were people inside that would need help. When we got there, we heard people shouting for help inside the collapsed building. We started digging to rescue those we could rescue. We dug for up to six hours before we could rescue one person at about 5.30am (Friday morning) and some people are still trapped inside the building.

“The security man of the building and some other people are still trapped inside the collapsed building. We pray that nothing will happen to them before they are rescued,” Danjuma said.

Another eye-witness, Obus Chibuieke, said that they were inside their house, which is adjacent to the collapsed building when they heard the loud sound that fell from their fence. “We rushed out on hearing the sound and saw that the building close to us had collapsed and also our fence collapsed too, with some blocks hitting our cars which were parked by the fence.

“We did what we could to rescue people and three people amongst the people that were inside escaped, while we were able to rescue one person from the building this morning.

“From the voices calling for help, we are convinced that there are two people still trapped inside. But, we are yet to see the FCT emergency rescue team coming to rescue them,” he said.

As at the time of filing this report, some rescue teams were already on the ground, trying to rescue those trapped inside the building. With the sad development, the Minister of FCT ordered an integrity test on all high-rise buildings in the area Kubwa.

The collapsed building, according to eyewitnesses, was being converted from a shopping mall to a residential apartment, with the developer adding at least two more floors on an already existing structure. Findings also revealed that Kubwa, Abuja’s largest satellite town, has recently witnessed the conversion of residential buildings to commercial centres and vice versa.

The building, which caved in in the early hours of Friday, was still under construction, but had some artisans living inside. As of 2pm on Friday, five of the seven persons earlier trapped under the rubble were rescued by the disaster management team of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC and sister agencies who took the victims to the General Hospital in Kubwa.

A combined team of personnel of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council AMMC, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), among others, were on the ground for the rescue operations.

“It happened around 11.00 on Thursday. There were seven people sleeping here. One person slept at the boy’s quarter, another slept in the security post, and then the remaining five slept in the main building. Five of us have been rescued. It remains a security man, and the man that brought me here,” one of the survivors told reporters.

Also speaking on the incident, the Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister, Attah Ikharo, said the owner of the property was earlier warned by residents. “The building was initially a shopping mall, but the report we got from residents was that the owner was warned, and at a certain point, it was now being converted to a residential apartment.

“The down was a shopping mall, but they were putting up some blocks of flats on the first and second suspended floors. You cannot alter a shopping mall and convert it to a residential building thereby giving it more load than what it was meant to carry,” he noted.

Ikharo added that the FCT Minister has ordered that tests be carried out on most of the high rise buildings around the area. He noted that the combined team of security agencies at the scene are currently trailing the owner of the property, who residents suspected may have absconded. “We have a policy in the FCTA that when a building collapses, the land is forfeited and revoked and the place is converted into a park or garden for residents around the neighbourhood,” he added.

Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council AMMC, Umar Shago, blamed the incident on quackery and shady construction works, adding that the FCTA has a policy of subjecting old buildings to integrity tests.

Preliminary reports had shown that the building was in a swampy area and that the right materials were not used in its construction. The FCTA has commenced integrity tests on high rise buildings. Attah said instructions have been given by the Minister to ensure that the order is carried out without fear or favour. Abuja residents are happy with the order given by the Minister on the integrity test, with many believing that the development will help curb building collapse in Abuja.

The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has charged media practitioners to always advocate for justice to be done in every facet of the society in order to pave way for inclusive and rapid development. He noted that journalists, as members of the third estate of the realm, should make good use of their position to address injustice, which, according to him, gave birth to crisis and insecurity in the society today.

Maikalangu, who gave this charge during an interaction with the leadership and some members of the FCT Minister’s Press Corps (FCT-MPC) at the Council’s Conference room at the weekend, described AMAC as one of the biggest area councils in the nation, and one of the best in the FCT.

“I want you to make good use of your offices and position in the society, to please address injustice, because it is injustice that gave birth to crisis and insecurity in our society today, especially when you are trying to forcefully take over the peoples’ mandate. You have the responsibility to always defend the votes (the peoples’ mandate), by advocating that let justice be done.

“You will all agree with me that on the 12th of February, an election was conducted, and it went smoothly, free and fair. I got over 19, 300 votes while my main opponent had 13, 200 plus votes. These figures are right there in the INEC portal. But, to our surprise, the tribunal got different figures from nowhere. And from what happened, I believe that the tribunal was misled. We campaigned and made promises to people for better lives, which we intend to fulfil, but someone is trying to take it from them (people). By now, ICPC should be investigating those who brought fake INEC results to the tribunal. Otherwise, our 2023 general election is not safe, because what is happening here can equally happen next year,” he stressed.

He, however, adds that “I must commend President Muhammadu Buhari, and the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, for trading on the path of peace in the FCT. They allowed peaceful elections in the FCT; this ensured that people came out and voted for their candidates. And with the help of God Almighty, I emerged as AMAC chairman.

“Also, we commend INEC for introducing the B-vas machine, which ensures that during elections, the moment voting is concluded at the polling units, the result sheet is immediately sent to the INEC server. So INEC is moving forward, but some people are trying to take INEC backward, which should not be allowed to stand, as Nigeria must move forward.”

Earlier, FCT-MPC Chairman, Hudu Yakubu, who described the AMAC Chairman as a media friendly person, noted that the current administration has so far recognised the media as strategic development partners, which reflects in the appointment of two active Abuja-based media practitioners into its cabinet. Hudu also used the occasion to congratulate Maikalangu as the 19th chairman of the Council, as well as commended him for remaining patient and peaceful, even in the face of challenging political and judicial battle.

For years, there are reports of rising involvement of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada, in criminal activities in the Federal Capital Territory and its suburbs. In this report, GBENGA OMOKHUNU chronicles efforts that are being made to address the challenges

Motorcycle operators, popularly known as okada riders, are now taking laws into their own hands in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). They are now regarded as a nuisance on many Abuja highways, posing serious threats to residents as well as other road users.

If there is one thing that more than anything exemplifies the shallow thought processes prevalent in state governance these days, it’s the problem of commercial motorcyclists known as okada riders. Superficial thought processes are the root causes of both the problems and the inappropriate solutions being adopted.

Initially, after Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the FCT minister in the second lap of former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration on October 1, 2006, outlawed the use of motorcycles as means of commercial transportation in the FCT metropolis, it did not go down well with many.

To them, a viable means of transport for the downtrodden in most cases, and means to beat bottleneck traffic hold-up in times of urgency, had been, in an authoritarian fashion, sent off the roads, banned and forbidden. In their view of El-Rufai, the then minister was out to carry out an unpopular agenda. He was siad to have said the FCT was not for the poor; so the ban of okada from the city gave credence to the ‘atrocious’ law on okada.

At that time, the rising number of casualties from accidents involving okada riders increased exponentially, and these risks were prevalent with reports of a number of security personnel deploying that mode of transportation. The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) subsequently restricted okada riders to Abuja suburbs and on roads servicing residential areas.

Years later, okada riders defied the ban and can be found on highways and even Trunk A and Trunk B roads in the FCT even during peak hours. Regardless, the travails of many in the hand of the lawless okada riders are beginning to get out of control. Despite being restricted to the suburbs of the capital city, the okada riders still go out of their way to wreak havoc.

It would be recalled that there was tension months ago when five people were killed and several injured following a clash between commercial motorcyclists and traders at Dei- Dei international market which led to the closure of the market before the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, reopened the market weeks later. Even before the recent crisis, the FCTA has been crushing thousands of commercial motorcycles due to violation of the law. Recently, the FCTA crushed over 1,700 seized motorcycles in line with its ban on okada operations in the nation’s capital. The administration banned activities of motorcycle operators within the city centre in 2006.

Addressing reporters during the commencement of the second phase of the exercise at Wuye, the Director, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Dr Abdulateef Bello, said crushing of the motorcycles would serve as deterrence to other stubborn ones. He explained the last exercise was carried out in December 2021 when many others were destroyed. Bello said: “The efforts of the enforcement of the okada ban in FCT are yielding so much results Today, we are starting with over 1,700 motorcycles; they were impounded from people that remain adamant operating within unauthorised areas.

“The DRTS task force always demonstrates substantial capacity to manage the enforcement, but it would not be enough without the cooperation and support of the command and control established in the Federal Capital Territory Administration with the support of the joint security task force being managed by the FCT Police Command. Motorcycle that costs N350,000 and they’re impounded, it’s enough pain for them. Taxi drivers with rickety vehicles, no headlight, no bumper, faulty brake pad, it’s enough pain for them. Those who have rickety buses, it’s enough pain for them.

“We’re humans as well, when we take this from them, we believe we’ve taken so much and one thing fundamental about enforcement that we’ve all come to believe all of us, the best answer to sustain enforcement is more enforcement going forward. When you take somebody’s okada worth N350,000, you know for sure that you’ve taken something very heavy and you’re crushing it and the person goes back again to bring more; we will crush.

“And the appeal, most of these okadas are not owned by the riders. People actually give them on what they call balance and carry; they should desist from this because once we get them, they are gone and you don’t need to waste your money. And we’re ultimately going to take a tough decision on this,” he said.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Sunday Babaji, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Hauwa Ibrahim, said: “The reason behind the impounding of motorcycles in Abuja, was as a result of criminal activities being conducted by some persons, using motorcycles. The use them in snatching of bags, bank robberies, attacks on residential areas and they were becoming security threat to the security of FCT. On that note, there was outcry that led to the banning of motorcycles within the city in 2006 by the FCT Administration, since then we have been working together in impounding Okada.”

The mandate Secretary FCT transportation secretariat, Usman Yahaya, said despite the challenge of the motorcycle operators the secretariat would not be overwhelmed. Reacting to the development, some youths whose commercial motorcycles were impounded and thereafter destroyed by officials of the Directorate of Road Traffic Service, DRTS, are now holding the Federal Capital Territory to ransom.

Findings revealed that some of them have embraced crime to make ends meet. Personnel of the Abuja VIO between January and July 2021 impounded 1,500 motorcycles, which were then ‘burnt’ last December. At the individual rate of N400,000 now, the sum of the 1,500 crushed motorcycles amounted to N600,000 million. According to an investigation, banditry, kidnapping, burglary, one-chance attacks, and armed robbery, among other crimes in Abuja, are what idle victims of the clampdown on okada perpetrate after joining criminal gangs.

Weighing in on the issue, Samuel Bamikale, an Abuja-based security expert, kicked against the VIO’s policy of crushing seized motorcycles. He said: “The situation is very bad. It shows the cruelty of government and its agencies towards the masses. There is no need to destroy the legal means of livelihood of some Nigerians. By crushing people’s machines, you are breeding prospective criminals, people who have nothing to lose anymore. They are going to unleash their venom and transfer their aggressions on the society.”

Speaking in the same vein, a security analyst and crisis communicator, Ibrahim Muhammed, highlighted the social and security implication of the law regulating commercial motorcycle trade in the FCT. He said: “There is great economic loss as those affected did not just lose only their bikes, but the money they also used in buying them, as well as their means of livelihood. There should be a solution that leaves everyone satisfied. That is, the riders should retain their means of livelihood, without posing security and environmental threats to the nation’s capital.”

With the security situation in the capital city everyone is now careful and mindful of where they go with commercial motorcycles. It is believed that government and other stakeholders will manage the situation to secure a save capital city for all.

 

 

Residents of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are now living in fear as threat messages combine with incessant reports of rising spate of attacks, gruesome killings and kidnappings in communities surrounding the seat of power, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU

Life has not been easy for residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as they their expressed concerns over the increasing rate of insecurity, especially after the recent Kuje jail break. Despite being the city that houses the President, the Vice President, lawmakers in the National Assembly, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, captains of industries, politicians, diplomatic corps, top religious leaders, and top brass of the country’s security agencies, Abuja is not safe. Residents said they are living in fear, with various threat messages flying around.

Reports of either abduction or gruesome killing in the territory, especially in adjoining towns and villages in the past months, have been on steady increase and in disconcerting proportion. These horrible situations have been going on for a long time, but the powers that be have been promising to work round the clock to tackle the situation.

However, residents are no longer finding the efforts by authorities to cast the FCT as completely insulated from the ravaging activities of kidnappers and bandits any funny. The menace, according to some residents who spoke with Abuja Review is becoming unbearable. They are worried that the rate and pace at which some of these attacks occur and the victims involved make them feel exposed and vulnerable to similar fate, thus raising their level of anxiety.

Kidnappings have become routine activities in the outskirts of the city known as satellite towns like Bwari, Dutse, Kubwa, Karishi, Orozo, Gwagwalada, Abaji, Kwali, Kuje, Pegi, Mpape, Kurudu and Jikwoyi. With recent happenings, many residents are afraid that the city centre is not spared, as horrible stories have filtered from places like Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse and Jabi, of either Kidnapping/foiled kidnapping, murder, robbery, and attacks aimed at killing the victims but who by God’s providence often escaped with                                            injuries.

Some months back, journalists and visitors were attacked and almost lost their lives. Recently, a civil servant and his son were abducted in the Bwari area and demand for ransom was made. They later gave the kidnappers millions of naira before they were released. Few weeks ago, the wife of a pastor and her daughter were abducted in Pegi and a demand of N50 million ransom was placed on their heads. They are still in the kidnappers’ den.

Abaji, a neighboring town with Kogi State, is considered a haven for kidnappers and bandits. Kidnapping has been happening in the area for more than two years. Residents have cried out for help but relief has thus far failed to come their way. This month, a team of Christian workers on missionary work in that area escaped being kidnapped by a whisker.

Narrating his ordeals, an elder of the church (names withheld for security reasons), told Abuja Review that: “It was God that prevented our kidnapping. My wife, a neighbour and some members of our church I took to Abaji for our yearly mission work came face to face with kidnappers. We checked into a hotel after doing some work, but to our greatest surprise, some minutes to midnight, we began to hear sound of gunshots around the hotel. They were bandits.

“It was like a joke but the kidnappers were so close to the hotel, but for the timely intervention of the military that responded promptly all of us would have been in the kidnappers’ enclaves; maybe till now because I don’t know where the millions they will demand for would have come from. God saved us but they kidnapped one woman we later heard was the wife of a physically challenged man. It’s that bad in the FCT. We are living in self-denials here. FCT is not safe at all,” he said.

A pastor living in Abaji also confided in Abuja Review that the menace of insecurity, particularly kidnapping, has wrecked Abaji. The clergyman said nobody leaves his/her house once it is 7:00pm in the area and if there is a need to do so, such a person should not consider returning home but spend the night wherever he/she has gone to.

“The story of banditry and kidnappings in Abaji here is true. We cannot sleep with our eyes closed. Every other night, we hear sounds of gunshots sporadically. We are always having our hearts in our mouths. These things are happening; the traditional ruler does not show any form of concern. Rather, after every operation, his sons will be displaying affluence with recklessness.

“At times when you hear what the victims say about the kidnappers on their release, you will join those accusing the traditional ruler and his children. The unfortunate thing is that they overpower the police. If the army does not come in fast, they will take away their victims.”

The pastor, who strongly pleaded anonymity for security reasons, added that residents are leaving Abaji en masse, stressing that the rate at which banditry and kidnappings are happening in Abaji is alarming.

Besides Abaji, reports of pockets of banditry attacks on the residents of Kwali and Gwagwalada are becoming daily occurrences. Parents are scared about their children safety both in and out of school. Kuje and its environs are in the thick of insecurity. Precisely, Kuje and Pegi, a government settlement area mapped out to commemorate 30 years of the creation of Abuja, is now a nightmare.

Speaking with Abuja Review, some residents of Kuje claimed that life has been horrible in the area with incessant banditry attacks and kidnappings even before the recent jail break. A civil servant, who gave his name as John, said he has lived in the same vicinity for more than nine years. He said the environment was peaceful until recently when the place now brims with bandits, kidnappers and other criminals that have turned the whole place to a haven of insecurity.

“What is happening in Kuje now is terrible. These bandits are here. We don’t sleep again. Going to our farms now is like surrendering to them. They have been kidnapping people here and demanding for ransom. Recently, they kidnapped a pastor’s wife and her daughter and demanded N50 million as ransom. It is like they have insiders in this community. Those who have been discussing with them said the bandits told them that since the husband is a pastor, he should go to his church and raise the money. You see, how did they know the husband is a pastor?,” he wondered.

Corroborating, another resident, Peter, said: “Pegi and Kuje in particular and the entire FCT are no longer safe. These bandits are here waiting to overrun the territory. They have been carrying out their illicit acts uninterrupted, soonest they will be striking from every part of the territory. I don’t stay in the city centre beyond six o’clock in the evening. Even driving home late at night is a suicidal attempt because the airport road linking Kuje before you access Pegi is terrible.

“There are some villages around Pegi occupied mostly by herdsmen and at night they come out in their numbers and block the roads. But when they hear the army is patrolling, they will disperse into their hideouts. It is very terrible,” he lamented.

Major roads leading to the FCT have been tagged death traps from neighbouring states. From the Lokoja axis where Abaji and other high risk areas are located to the Kaduna/Minna axis where kidnappings and killings are daily routines to the Keffi, Nasarawa axis, the FCT is exposed to great security danger.

Recently, the army at a check-point at Kugbo hill along FCT/Nasarawa road intercepted an ambulance load of live ammunitions and some boys suspected to be terrorists heading to Abuja. The FCT Police Command has often published flash points in the city centre of Abuja, warning residence to avoid such places at particular times. This is a strong indication that the insecurity rate in the territory is alarming. There are areas that motorists are taking risks driving on such roads. Many have been killed; those who escaped had their vehicles vandalised with attendant injuries sustained.

A trader, Mrs. Anita Owo said: “Something serious and more meaningful needs to be done to safeguard the territory. It appears that this insecurity has some connections or nexus with some of these security agents because the way they operate, it would appear they have more intelligence than our security personnel themselves. And that leaves so much to be desired. Generally speaking, it is not in doubt that the FCT, especially the adjoining villages and towns, has been infiltrated by these terrorists,” she added.

She argued that the only place that seems safe in the FCT is the Aso Rock Villa and probably the military and police barracks, pointing out that because they have presence of military hardware: “No individual like us, on the streets of Abuja can say we are safe.”

At the federal secretariat complex, in the heart of the city, some staff of the federal ministries and parastatals said each day they are in the high rising complexes, they have their hearts in their hands because of the news of attempted abductions that the presence of heavy security men foiled. Traders in the ever busy and densely populated Wuse market are also operating in fears. A trader who identified himself as Ibrahim said: “These bandits are here in Abuja. It is like they are waiting for an instruction from their leaders to strike. Our soldiers and police know them but they are not doing anything about it. See kidnappings all over Abuja”.

The story is not different at both the new market and Garki market. The fear is the same: that the bandits are already in the FCT. No trader opted to speak on the matter; rather they chorused the answer to every question posed as they suspected everyone.

 

FCT Minister depressed over insecurity in Abuja

Following the incessant kidnapping among other security challenges in Abuja, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, has expressed sadness over the development. Bello emphasised the need for organised community policing within the FCT communities and Area Councils.

The Minister, who said this when a delegation of Council of Chiefs of the Pai Chiefdom in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, led by the Magajin Pai, Alhaji Bawa Yahaya, paid a visit to the FCTA, said with adequate community policing, a lot of the security challenges currently being experienced in the FCT could be surmounted.

Bello, while noting that security is now everybody’s business, said the traditional and political leadership within the Area Councils must work together with other experts to organise community policing structures that will not only tackle insecurity but also provide credible intelligence to the security agencies.

The Minister who lamented that efforts to introduce community policing in the FCT in the past have not been very successful, attributed the challenge to the over reliance of the communities on the FCT Administration to provide all the necessary logistics. He urged the traditional and political leadership in the Area Councils to show more commitment to ensure the success of the programme. “The reality is that security now is everybody’s business. We have tried as much as possible to encourage community policing in the FCT but we have not had success. The challenge we faced, especially with the community policing issue, is that many of the communities were just waiting for the federal government or maybe the state and in our own case, the FCT Administration to pay for everything.”

Speaking earlier for the delegation, the Sarkin Yakin Pai, Dr Husseini Halilu Pai, appreciated the relationship between the FCT Administration and the Pai Community as well as the show of love and concern by the FCT Minister to the community. Dr.  Pai pledged the support of the Pai community for all activities by the government to curb insecurity in the FCT while calling on the Administration to continue to provide basic infrastructure in the community.

As electric power supply remains epileptic in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), some small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are tackling the challenge by embracing solar power as a viable alternative source of power, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU

The solar energy business is fast gaining ground in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Distributors and installers of solar energy products are making brisk businesses due to the high demand for solar generators and solar-powered gadgets, occasioned by the effects of the recent fuel scarcity, increased pump price of fuel and poor power supply across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

All these combined to create a high demand for alternative power sources by Nigerians. A cross-section of Abuja residents who spoke with Abuja Review on the issue said they had been managing until the challenges of recent fuel scarcity worsened the situation.

While Abuja is still grappling with the challenge of fuel scarcity, supply of electricity across the territory has been erratic due to incessant collapse of the nation’s fragile power grid. For many weeks now, many homes and offices across the country have been without electricity. The problem is worsened by the spike in the prices of diesel to around N800, with many businesses unable to afford it. The situation, sources in the power industry informed Abuja Review, is forcing more people to embrace the solar choice.

Findings revealed that apart from businesses that are switching to solar energy, some other patrons included individuals who need solar equipment to keep their electrical devices powered. A survey conducted in Abuja markets showed that prices of solar gadgets, panels and equipment had gone up by between 35 per cent and100 per cent.

According to the survey, 3 out of 10 respondents disclosed that they had switched over to one form of solar system or another in the last three months. For instance, 33 of the 100 respondents said they no longer rely on the national grid for electricity. A businessman, Mr. Shola Oni, said: “Though it costs me around N1.2million to install a solar grid in my house, I think I am better off today. Before now, I used to buy a litre of diesel for around N430 and use about 50litres a day. If you multiply N400 by 50 a day, that will give you about N20,000. N20,000 a day times 30 will give you N600,000 monthly. That is what I used to spend every month to power my house. The only saving grace is that the house also serves as an office.

“And since January 2021 that I switched over to solar power, I no longer pay the outrageous amount I used to pay for diesel. I am talking of diesel alone as I didn’t include the cost of servicing and maintaining the two generators. I have also decided to permanently switch off from the national grid by not recharging my prepaid metre and depending solely on solar. I can easily switch over by buying energy and change over anytime the need arises. I am delighted I took this decision.”

At the popular solar equipment market inside Abuja popularly known as Gudu, a unit of 56-inches Qasa DC solar ceiling fan, which sold for N26,500 in December 2021, now sells for N38, 500. Despite the sharp price increment, a buyer must be prepared to also buy a 40W solar panel, one 5A 18V AC-DC Converter, battery and wires needed for the installation as these materials are not included in the package. Similarly, a QASA 18 inches AC/DC standing fan, plus remote that comes with a solar panel now goes for N45,000 instead of the N31, 000 price it was sold for last January.

However, Abuja Review observed that, for a customer to get a solar system that will be able to power basic household equipment like a TV set, laptop, small fridge/freezer, a sound system, charging points for phones, 5 electric bulbs, as well as standing/ceiling fans, must be ready to cough out considerably more money. For instance, a 500watts Solar Generator which comes with a solar panel and controller goes for between N110,000 and N130,000, depending on the brand. The package, however, comes with a handicap. Since it didn’t come with inverters and batteries, it is susceptible to bad and poor weather, especially in the night when the sun sets.

However, the 500 watts solar generator, which is good for both homes and offices and is accompanied by a solar panel, an inbuilt inverter and UPS and Lithium Battery – Pure Sine goes for between N250,000 and N320,000 only. For a bachelor who is interested in purchasing a solar system that could power basic appliances in a 3-bedroom apartment like a TV set, fans, laptops and charging points for phones was advised to buy a 30wats solar generator.

A solar energy distributor, Mr. Emeka Chukwuma, said the package comes with a 1230Watts battery, DC 5V output, 15W solar panel, a pack of 6 bulbs and plugs that can power the bulbs, a DC 12V output socket for charging of phones, cameras and laptops: “The package goes for between N78,000 and N85,000, depending on the brand.”

Meanwhile, more affluent Nigerians who go for solar generators of between 10kva and 60kva that could power their homes and offices normally cough out between N2.5 million and N15 million. Ade Omooye, who owns a shop in Gudu complex, said that patronage had been very high since the hot season began late last year and that sales had doubled with the outbreak of fuel scarcity and power crisis. “Business had never been this brisk. I now make returns from daily sales of about N450,000,” Omooye said.

Another solar equipment merchant in the market, Ibrahim Adra, said he was overwhelmed by the rush for solar equipment, especially solar powered gadgets like fans, lights and charging sockets since the fuel crisis started last month. Adra, who disclosed that the business was seasonal, said the twin challenges of fuel scarcity and poor power had further helped to drive the market. Another dealer who did not want his identity disclosed expressed joy over the appreciable patronage, saying he had sold over 1,000 units of solar powered ceiling and standing fans in March alone.

Speaking on the gains of solar-for-business, an expert in the technology in Abuja, Mr. Ody Solomon, said solar might seem quite expensive for shop owners to deploy at once but it saved them over 80 per cent of their energy cost in the short run. “Deploying solar for light-weight SMEs is ideal because it puts you off the stress of waiting for PHCN power to do your business. With an inverter and strong batteries connected, solar power can power a sports viewing centre, hairdressing saloon, mini computer business centres?, GSM accessories and charging outlets, provision stores and much more. So, it is the best way to go now that the electricity supply is at its worst.”

Kuje Area Council and its traditional ruler have endorsed the planned demolition of illegal structures and massive clean-up in Kuje town by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The critical stakeholders consented to the demolition exercise during a stakeholder engagement and sensitization meeting.

The Gomo of Kuje, HRH Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, said he has given his support and blessings to the planned demolition exercise because he believes and hopes it would restore sanity and most importantly security to the town. He noted that he has always interacted with different segments of the society in Kuje to maintain peace and order, and had looked forward to more collaborative efforts from all government agencies.

The Principal Secretary to Kuje Area Council, Abdullahi Sabo, who represented the Council’s Chairman, Abdullahi Sulaiman Sabo, disclosed that the council officials have endorsed the coming of the bulldozers, but pleaded that more time be given to allow residents salvage their properties. Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah, who convened the meeting, warned that after one week’s ultimatum, the steaming bulldozers may not be restrained.

He stated that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, who visited the Kuje town recently, had expressed anger over the deterioration of both environmental infrastructures and security in the area. He disclosed that the Minister has authorised the massive clean-up to restore order and sanity and as well remove all illegal shelters that provide cover for criminal elements.

Attah urged all the stakeholders, to maximally use the one week to move out from all the illegal places to avoid unnecessary losses, as nothing would stop the clean-up exercise.  “Everyone, the royal father, Area Council, and traders have all agreed that all contraventions to the Urban and Regional Acts (AEPB Acts) must be cleared. The overflow from Kuje market must be taken to the two new markets close by. Those selling perishables will be taken to the farmers market, we are saying it in strong terms. Based on the urgency of the matter the Area Council will engage the stakeholders and tell everyone to clear it in one week. So that we have a better Kuje and everyone will be happy,” he said.

Meanwhile, FCTA has also raised the alarm over illegal conversion of Kuje railway corridor to personal residences. Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to FCT Minister, Ikharo Attah who described the development as “very alarming” vowed that all such illegal structures would be demolished without compensation to the owners.

Attah also expressed shock that buyers of the railway corridors land did not do due diligence investigation, before spending their hard earned money on such risky ventures. While he didn’t disclose when construction work will commence on the already mapped out corridors, he noted that the area will be cleared of all illegalities.

He further called on all stakeholders within Kuje Area Council to take the warnings home, because the demolition would come at a time many may consider to be very inconvenient.

He said: “There is a serious security report that people are building indiscriminately on the rail corridor and this is unacceptable. The extreme speed at which people are building at the rail corridor is alarming. Very soon there will be massive removal.  The rail corridor must remain green until when the contract is awarded.

“If you buy, you buy at your own peril; FCTA will demolish all and not pay compensation. The corridor was largely empty until some people put pressure on some locals to sell to them”, he said.