The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Road rehabilitation, beautification take off

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has announced the takeoff of the rehabilitation of Abuja roads, beautification of ornamental flowers and the trimming of overgrown trees.

    Bello stated that the rehabilitation of the roads especially in some strategic roads within the city centre is to ensure smooth vehicular movement.

    The minister, who revealed this in a press statement by the Deputy Director/Press Statement FCT, Muhammad Sule, stated that the first phase of the rehabilitation programme include the total rehabilitation of M20, the dilapidated road leading to the popular Utako Motor Park; rehabilitation of road shoulders along the Shehu Shagari Way in Maitatma District and Ring Road I (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway).

    He stated, ”To ensure smooth vehicular movement in and around the Federal Capital City, Abuja, the FCT Administration has commenced the immediate rehabilitation of some strategic roads within the city centre.

    “Some of the roads under the first phase of the programme include the total rehabilitation of M20, the hitherto dilapidated road leading to the popular Utako Motor Park; rehabilitation of road shoulders along the Shehu Shagari Way in Maitatma District and Ring Road I (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway) respectively.

    “Others are the trimming of overgrown trees and beautification of ornamental flowers along the road leading to Defence House and IBB Way both in Maitama District, Abuja, and the provision of kerbs at the famous Unity Park close to Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama, Abuja.

    “Speaking on his plans to ensure a clean and filth-free city, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello insisted that Abuja under his watch must be restored to its original clean and green concept.

    “Malam Bello who assumed office about three months ago, as the 16th FCT Minister revealed that he has a mandate from President Muhammadu Buhari to restore Abuja to its original Master Plan in line with the vision of its founding fathers.

    “He, therefore, solicited for support and cooperation of residents, development partners and key stakeholders in the Abuja project to ensure that the city is kept clean at all times.

    Conducting reporters round some of the ongoing works in the city, acting Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Hajiya Safiya Umar, said that the minister upon taking office,  had ordered the Agency to ensure prompt evacuation of all refuse whether liquid, solid or construction waste.

    “The Coordinator, who observed that the Federal Capital City has become dirty prior to the coming onboard of the present FCT Administration, however attributed the uncleanliness to the problem of transition period.

    “She thus warned that after this massive cleaning exercise embarked upon by the Administration, anyone found dumping construction waste indiscriminately would be prosecuted accordingly.

    “The Coordinator disclosed that even trucks used in the indiscriminate disposal of construction waste in unauthorized places would be confiscated if found.

    “Meanwhile, following the rehabilitation of the road leading to the Utako Motor Park, there was wild jubilation by motorists and commuters at the park who welcomed the development.

    “They commended the FCT administration for fixing the dilapidated road, which has not been passable for years.”

     

  • Bidding Ocholi farewell

    What started as a rumour, spreading like wildfire, became a sad reality. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. James Ocholi, was dead. He had died with his wife and one of his sons in an auto crash on the Kaduna-Abuja Road.

    So it was not surprising that a substantial part of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting last Wednesday was devoted to paying tribute to him.

    It was the first time the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was witnessing such sad moment of losing a cabinet member. Although most of the surviving members of the cabinet were not dressed in all-black or white attires while attending last week FEC meeting as a way of mourning their dead colleague, they were gloomy as they attended the valedictory session.

    The session was also different in many ways from those held under the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan when paying last respects to a deceased member of the cabinet or an important personality in the society.

    While almost all cabinet members attending such valedictory sessions under Jonathan were always asked to make a comment on the deceased in question, it was systematically controlled last week Wednesday.

    For Ocholi’s valedictory session, one minister was picked from each of the six geopolitical zones to comment on him.

    While most sessions under Jonathan again always recorded free flow of tears by the cabinet members, it was a different story last Wednesday as the situation was perfectly brought under control.

    No member of the cabinet who spoke or did not speak during the session last Wednesday openly wept in the Council Chamber.

    This was mainly achieved because fewer persons were allowed to pay tribute to the deceased.

    After Buhari kick-started the session, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, was allowed to pay tribute to the deceased.

    Ngige, who had worked directly with the deceased, was also one of the cabinet members who saw him last before his death.

    Ngige said: “We interacted last on Friday, he was mediating in trade dispute with JOHESU, health sector workers. He helped to fashion the party constitution.

    “He had capacity for hardwork and was a good negotiator. Death has created a huge void in the Ministry of Labour and Employment which is hard to fill.

    The Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehanire said: “He had initiative, he was methodical and organised. He was a respectable man of character. Intensely serious yet jovial. He was a consummate negotiator.”

    On his part, the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh said: “His joining the CPC in Kogi in the early days showed his foresight and courage as opposition politics is not a party in the park but a marathon in the desert.

    The Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Claudius Daramola said that Ocholi was strong minded, lovely and fearless.

    “He has left us with so much pain. A heartache that no one but God can heal.” He added

    The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu noted that Ocholi was soft-spoken, a gentleman, persuasive, and lived spartan, humble life.

    Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar Abba said that Ocholi was very much committed to the change agenda.

    “He was always full of joy and fond of his family. He will be missed, memories he leaves behind will be his legacy. We pray for the full recovery of the other injured passengers injured in the accident.” She stated.

    After the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal announced the tentative burial arrangement and the support the Federal Government was giving to the immediate surviving members of the deceased family, cabinet members were also led on visit to Ocholi’s family house immediately after the FEC meeting.

     

    Blocking payroll padding

     

    Although 23,000 ghost workers have been uncovered, which is saving the Federal Government N2.29 billion monthly, indications emerged last Wednesday that more are still in the system.

    The government is now investigating additional 11,000 workers to know if they are real or just dummies for siphoning Federal Government’s treasury into private pockets.

    The government has vowed not to stop with the payroll system.

    It plans to extend such checks on other government’s expenditure in order to block similar theft.

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said: “We felt that the continuous audit work should not just be limited to payroll, there is actually need to strengthen internal audit across government.

    “So as an interim we have agreed to do the Presidential initiative on continuous audits which will give backings to the work that we are currently doing and will allow us to extend this work beyond payroll to other areas of expenditure.” She added, “It is not enough to just identify the ghost workers and block the fraud, further steps should be taken to identify those behind the payroll ‘padding.”

    This set of people should be brought to book to act as deterrence.

     

  • ‘We need better, cheaper houses’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello wants better houses for residents of the territory but he also desires affordable shelter.

    To achieve this, he called for a multi-disciplinary meeting of all professionals involved in the building industry.

    Bello made the call while receiving a delegation from the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) led by its President, Arc. Umaru Aliyu that paid him a courtesy visit.

    He reiterated that the call was necessary i order to enable professionals to brainstorm and ensure that sanity is brought to the sub-sector, thereby providing more housing delivery to the populace.

    Malam Bello noted that the industry is robust, with the capacity to provide ready employment to the teeming populace in the FCT, because of the diverse professionals and unskilled labourers involved from the conception to the completion stage.

    He expressed delight to meet professional bodies like ARCON that have contributed immensely to the development of the Federal Capital Territory, recalling that recently, he had a similar meeting with the Town Planners Association Nigeria.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister said architects, engineers, town planners, surveyors and builders should all come together to find a better way to fast track the entire process from the drawings, building plan approvals, setting out and the entire building construction process in the territory.

    The Minister decried a situation where houses are built in estates without giving enough space for greening, planting of trees and at least a garden at the backyard as well as space for children play area.

    Bello assured that the FCT Administration on its part would make the process transparent and friendly to all players in the industry.

    Speaking earlier, the President of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Umaru Aliyu congratulated the Minister over his appointment.

    The President said that ARCON is assiduously working to eliminate quacks, which he noted have contributed in no small measure to the cases of collapsed buildings across the country.

    He stated that no registered architect has ever been involved in any case of collapsed building.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, the Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr. Adamu Ismaila and some senior officials of the FCT Administration joined the Minister to receive the architects.

     

  • Baker’s honour for bread hawker

    Baker’s honour for bread hawker

    A confectionery has made ex-bread hawker Olajumoke Orisaguna its brand ambassador, reports VICTOR OLUWASEGUN

    The fairy tale continues apace. Former bread seller turned celebrity has been made the brand ambassador of Shirley’s Confectionery in Abuja. Olajumoke was presented with a certificate to that effect as well as the firm’s branded shirt at its office in Gwarimpa.

    According to Shirley’s Confectionery, its decision to adopt and unveil Olajumoke as their brand ambassador followed her unusual success story which has become a source of wonder and reference to many Nigerians.

    The story of the young lady is one that most Nigerians are familiar with, a Cinderella-like narrative of grass to grace, of sudden glitz and glamour.

    Amarachi Iwuanyanwu,  a director at Shirley’s Confectionery explained the decision to associate with Olajumoke.

    “We are delighted to inform you about our recent brand association with Olajumoke Orisaguna, a former bread seller who shot to stardom as a result of being at the wrong place at the right time. Now she has featured on CNN, Thisday Style magazine etc.

    “As a result of the unusual grass to grace story, Shirley has decided to make Olajumoke Orisaguna  as the brand ambassador to Shirley’s Confectionery.”

    The event  with took place in Shirley’s Gwarimpa, Abuja Offices had quite a number of media people as well as curious customers of the outfit who simply wanted to catch a glimpse of the sudden model.

    Wilfred, Marketing Consultant to Shirley’s said the purpose of the event was to celebrate something that is phenomenon and exceptional.

    He said Olajumoke’s story is inspirational and that Shirley’s believes in inspiration.

    Amarachi Iwuayanwu, who was at the event with Adaora Iwuayanwu, another director, denied exploiting Miss Orisaguna.

    “We’re not using this opportunity to exploit any situation, we are actually sympathetic and very happy with the grass to grace story of Jumoke. And why we thought it was necessary for Shirley’s to be part of it is that it traces back to what were actually selling.

    “We’re a confectionery shop and selling bread. We feel that out of every other brands that have adopted her as their brand ambassadors, we are more positioned to push her out to the world.

    “Now she is no longer selling Agege Bread, she’s dealing with Shirley’s Bread. The grass to grace story is also the Agege Bread to the Shirley’s Bread story.”

    The event which drew quite a number a crowd, featured photo sessions with the new model.

    Mrs. Orisaguna, who spoke in Yoruba expressed delight at the opportunity given her by the company. She said her story shows that whatever anyone is doing should be done with commitment as no one knows when his or her breakthrough would come.

    “I am happy with what God has done for me because where I am today is unexpected.”

    On her advice to those that are hawking as she was previously was, she said: “I want to tell them to work hard. People should not shy away from any job that comes their way. They should not say for instance that selling pure water is demeaning or that a certain vocation is not edifying. If I was lazy, I probably would not have been fortunate as I am presently.”

    Azuka Ojiuba, a staff of Thisday Newspaper who represented T Y Bello at the event, said they were happy that Mrs. Orisaguna’s unusual success is being recognised with the endorsement  and adoption of the lady as Shirley’s brand ambassador.

    Will Olajumoke remain humble and faithful to her husband in view of her new status?

    Ojiuba said she has been spending time with the Orisagunas and there is no indication that Jumoke would change.

    “She is still the real home girl that she is. Even when she gibes her husband food, she genuflects we don’t want to change who she is. We just want to give her good education and standard of living. She is still the same, she knows that people want to help her and that they love her. Her life has changed, but she has not changed.”

     

  • Buhari, women and Christianity

    Not a little has been said about President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged hatred for Christians and women during the campaign period prior to the 2015 general elections, which eventually brought him to office last May.

    Two of the political sentiments played up then were the claims that Buhari didn’t love Christians and that women will not play key roles in his government.

    No stone was left unturned by the then ruling and now opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to puncture any defence and explanation given by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support Buhari’s genuine love for all Nigerians irrespective of gender and religion.

    All the propaganda that played out before the Presidential election are now history as Buhari has been on the saddle in the last ten months.

    But has Buhari since taking office office done anything to show that he was partial against women and Christians?

    A straight answer may not be given here, but the number of female ministers currently in his cabinet is six and it would have been expected that none will make the list based on his alleged hatred for them.

    Fifty percent of the female ministers are substantive ministers fully in charge of key ministries including Finance, Environment, and Women Affairs.

    Buhari has also appointed women to other positions with the latest being the appointment of Ibim Semenitari as Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa

    There is also no doubt that female appointees will get a good chunk of the soon-to-be announced board chairmen and members of government’s parastatals, agencies and commissions recently dissolved.

    A remark by the Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Gideon Samani, while representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, at a public function late last year drew the anger of the Presidency when he claimed that there were low number of female ministerial nominees because Buhari was shy around women.

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, wasted no time in a press statement to disowned him as a SSA of the government and described the claim as ‘totally fallacious.’

    While stressing that his government will not relent until women are empowered in the country, Buhari, in the 2016 Budgetary allocations have also increased provisions for ministries having direct bearing on the lives of women.

    The President has also made greater emphasis on girl-child education in the country.

    Showing that Buhari has nothing against christianity in Nigeria, his appointments so far are fairly spread between the two major religions.

    In his cabinet, for instance, 19 out of the 37 ministers are Christians.

    The President again has received many Christian clergy men at the Presidential Villa in the last ten months including the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Rev. Father Frank Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, and Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan.

    To date, records have also shown that Buhari has only received christians on Christmas homage at his official residence since he became a democratically-elected President of Nigeria.

    Buhari, who is a Muslim, have not received Muslims on homage at the Presidential Villa as he was outside Abuja during the Eid-el-Kabir festival in September last year.

    With all these, how partial or impartial the President has been on the issue of women and Christianity is clear to all.

     

    Special treat for Turkish President

     

    The visit by the President of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Nigeria last Wednesday is not one to be forgotten in a hurry.

    It has the highest delegation of a visiting President to Nigeria under the current dispensation.

    The visit also recorded unprecedented coverage for such presidential visits so far witnessed in the life of this administration.

    There was live broadcast of the Turkish president’s visit with two Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) outside broadcast vans deployed to the seat of government 24 hours before the visit.

    While Turkey also brought another smaller outside broadcast van to hook up with NTA and beam the visit’s proceedings to its citizens at home and other parts of the world, other interested local stations also had the opportunity to hook up with NTA.

    This privilege was hardly extended to any past visiting President to Nigeria.

    What was similar to the Turkish President’s visit was experienced under Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who gave the same treatment to the then visiting Russian President.

    This treatment was never given to any visiting President under immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Turkish President, like many others, was also honored with a grand presidential reception, military parade and 21 gun salute.

    Indications that the Turkish President’s visit was going to be special was seen when 175 rooms were booked at the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja for the delegation prior to the arrival of the President at the hotel around 12 midnight on Tuesday.

    The Turkish President came to Nigeria with 150 businessmen and women towards investing in various sector of the Nigeria economy.

    While in Nigeria, the Turkish were very thorough as they left no security issues to chances.

    They ensured that one of the President’s chef, Huseyin Okatan cooked his meal while Turkish security men also followed and watch hotel staff when blending soup and doing other things relating to preparation of the meal.

    Another interesting thing is that they didn’t use the hotel’s water for their cooking throughout their stay in Nigeria. They used Eva bottled water for cooking.

     

  • 100 days: Minister promises better governance

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its plan and determination to make life better for residents of the Territory through  programmes that will fast-track the development.

    Making the reassurance during a media parley to mark the 100 days of Muhammad Musa Bello in office as the 16th Minister of the FCT, the communication management team of the FCTA comprising the Director, Information and Communications FCTA, Mrs. Stella Ojeme, Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Media, Abubakar Sani, the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Muhammad Sule, and Head Call Centre, Mrs. Jumai Ahmadu, said the administration has prioritised people-oriented programmes.

    According to the team, as part of efforts to encourage hygienic environment and the well-being of the residents, the Minister flagged off an intensive community and neighbourhood environmental sanitation scheme across the six area councils of the FCT.

    To maintain the cleanliness of the city however, the FCTA said it intends to reactivate its environmental mobile courts place to deal with offenders under the purview of the law.

    On the nasty traffic gridlock on the Nyanya-Mararaba axis, the administration said that the construction of the prolonged Karshi-Apo-Ara Road would soon start, as funds have been made available and approved for the projects, aimed at ease the traffic congestion.

    Meanwhile, the FCTA expressed deep concern over the huge work force in the area councils, especially those engaged in Local Education Authority (LEA), disclosing plans to conduct biometrics exercise, to ascertain the actual number of staff in the councils especially teachers, who are about 4,000 in numbers.

    Also, the administration insisted that the ban on okada and tricycle riders’ activities within the city centre still stands as violators will not only be arrested, but henceforth prosecuted accordingly in special mobile courts.

    Abuja Review recalled that Bello took over the mantle of leadership of the FCT as the 16th FCT on November, 11 2015, with a promise to build on his predecessors’ achievements.

    Concerned by the plight of workers at the Area Councils in the FCT, the FCT Administration has revealed it has concluded plans to provide financial bail out to the Councils to enable them pay staff salary arrears.

    Area Council staff are owed three months salary arrears and their cries have been heard by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello who has promised that his Administration would bail them out by paying two months, while the Councils should pay the remaining one month salary arrears.

     

  • Council candidate wins court case

    A high Court has ruled in favour of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) chairmanship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Abdullahi Candido, striking out the case instituted by Amanda Pam over her disqualification from contesting the party’s December 16 chairmanship primaries.

    The court verdict also favoured the party and seven others.

    The party’s legal adviser and counsel to Candido, APC and the others, Mr. Yakubu Haruna said during a press conference that the court ruling has allayed fears that the party might not present a candidate during the forthcoming polls.

    In the case, the APC, INEC and eight aspirants were joined as defendants in a suit filed by Barrister Pam who was disqualified before the primary election, challenging the process that led to her disqualification.

    Haruna explained that the court struck out the case for lack of jurisdiction, adding that it was purely a domestic affair which the court does have the power to entertain.

    “Except she decides to go further we are ready for that, as we are, we are ready for election, no more distraction,” he said.

    He explained that the ruling will be pivotal to the success of the party’s candidate, Abdullahi Candido at the March 19 polls, adding that the court case was a calculated attempt to disturb the teeming party supporters.

    On his part, the Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in AMAC, Hon. Hashimu Angama, Barr. Amanda Pam still a party member and will always be treated as such.

    “We were never disturbed despite the case was in court, we went about our campaign because we believe in justice. With this ruling in our favour, that will give us more strength to go about the election process. We are ready to accept her in our fold at any time for us to work together for the success of our party, because she was trying to protect her interest,” he said.

     

  • ‘We need better, cheaper houses’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello wants better houses for residents of the territory but he also desires affordable shelter.

    To achieve this, he called for a multi-disciplinary meeting of all professionals involved in the building industry.

    Bello made the call while receiving a delegation from the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) led by its President, Arc. Umaru Aliyu that paid him a courtesy visit.

    He reiterated that the call was necessary i order to enable professionals to brainstorm and ensure that sanity is brought to the sub-sector, thereby providing more housing delivery to the populace.

    Malam Bello noted that the industry is robust, with the capacity to provide ready employment to the teeming populace in the FCT, because of the diverse professionals and unskilled labourers involved from the conception to the completion stage.

    He expressed delight to meet professional bodies like ARCON that have contributed immensely to the development of the Federal Capital Territory, recalling that recently, he had a similar meeting with the Town Planners Association Nigeria.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister said architects, engineers, town planners, surveyors and builders should all come together to find a better way to fast track the entire process from the drawings, building plan approvals, setting out and the entire building construction process in the territory.

    The Minister decried a situation where houses are built in estates without giving enough space for greening, planting of trees and at least a garden at the backyard as well as space for children play area.

    Bello assured that the FCT Administration on its part would make the process transparent and friendly to all players in the industry.

    Speaking earlier, the President of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria, Umaru Aliyu congratulated the Minister over his appointment.

    The President said that ARCON is assiduously working to eliminate quacks, which he noted have contributed in no small measure to the cases of collapsed buildings across the country.

    He stated that no registered architect has ever been involved in any case of collapsed building.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, the Executive Secretary of FCDA, Engr. Adamu Ismaila and some senior officials of the FCT Administration joined the Minister to receive the architects.

     

  • A road nightmare

    A road nightmare

    As the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello aware of commuters’ agony on Lokogwoma Road in Kabusa, a growing community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

    At his inauguration, Bello pledged to complete unfinished road projects and start new ones. Will the minister put an end to the residents’ years of anguish?

    Accommodation in the swanky parts of the nation’s capital is way too expensive for most residents so they make do with such places as Kabusa. As a result, dozens of estates and several other settlements are springing in those districts.

    Lokogwoma and the whole of Kabusa house hundreds of architectural beauties with influential residents driving by in flashy cars, this part of town has one of the worst roads in the whole of Abuja.

    The only tarred road that can be seen is the one that comes from the stadium, Games Village, all the way to the Galadimawa Roundabout; it passes in front of Sun City Estate, all the way to Apo Junction and connects the T-Junction that goes to Apo Shoprite. But apart from that, all the roads that connect the estates are untarred, the worst being the one in front of Sunnyvale Estate.

    Some of the estates nestling on the side of the district include Sunnyvale, Sameglobal, Kabusagarden, and a few others including estates that go into Cityview all the way to Dogongada Village. All the roads, even in Dakwo and Dogongada districts are  untarred.

    The road is so bad that the gully erosion that ravages these areas during the rainy season cause vehicles to slid off the road, resulting in terrible accidents.

    A visit to Lokogwoma in the morning rush hour is a nightmare due to the untarred red sand on the road and the struggle for vehicles to meander their way through. The area can be equated to a red desert, with blinding clouds of choking dust.

    A resident of Kabusa village, Thomas Promise, said the travel to Abuja is particularly tortuous, adding that if commuters are unlucky enough not to travel in air-conditioned vehicles, they will not wind up their windows when driving in or out of the area. Each traveller will end up coated with  red soil.

    “I have lived in Kabusa for four years and the road has been a great challenge for us residents,” he said. “It is hectic during the rainy season and worse during the dry season; we will be very grateful if the government will construct this road, we are begging the government to come to our aid, this is the major problem we have in this area.

    “We have over five to eight million people residing in Kabusa, Charity, Paselle, Budwe, Katie, not to mention the numerous estates. It is horrible during the rainy season, cars get stuck very often in some of these places, vehicles often get spoilt on the road and it becomes difficult for other vehicles to drive through, if you are very unlucky and have a vehicle that the windows are not coming up you will be piled with dust when you leave the area and we have to wash our vehicles everyday to avoid driving into town like people coming from the farm.

    “We have been complaining about the Chinese company that runs the quarry in the area and the menace of their heavy duty vehicles on our already dangerous road and we have not noticed any community development from them but they too complain. When you try to talk to them, they say that they pay their taxes to the government and it is the duty of the government to fix the road and they pay their rights to the heads of the villages,” Promise explained.

    Wole Adetayo who has resided in Lokogwoma since 2011 and now lives in Santos Estate in Dakwo district, explained that residents of Lokogwoma, especially the estates, will be ready to collaborate with the government in constructing the road even if it means contributing half of the money needed as long as they are such that the costing is done right and the job really done because they are aware of their suffering and want it to stop.

    He said, “Lokogwoma has a bad inter-linking road; there are so many estates in Lokogwoma that have sprung up in recent years, approved by the FCDA for developers to build and the population has really grown.

    “As far back in 2011, when I moved into Lokogwoma, there was no traffic in the morning when you went or came back from work but things changed tremendously over the space of two to three years as a result of many people moving into estates in the area. I heard that the road that goes in front of Sunnyvale all the way to Kabusa Garden has been advertised twice in national dailies; the residents members association have mentioned it during one of our meetings.

    “Lokogwoma has so many estates, it is like one of the most thriving estates where people feel they can live and still feel like they are staying within the town, government needs to look at how they can tar some of the roads, even if they have to find a way of telling each estate in the area to assist.

    “They can measure the distance of road, do the costing and the government can decide to provide half the amount and the estates provide the other half, if such an agreement arises, I can bet you that most estates will be willing to comply. In my estate for instance we are 80, if you tell us that you will do it and we all sign a joint agreement each house will be willing to contribute because it is for the good of everyone, the government should try and collaborate with the people, they should meet with us and we will come to an agreement on the road.”

    Another resident who simply introduced himself as Mr Demola agreed with Adetayo on the issue of the road being advertised with no single construction work embarked upon.

    “Some of us that have put structures on the ground in the various estates are unhappy that we are yet to get assistance from the government in getting good roads. As individuals and associations, we have tried to do something for ourselves but nothing major have come out of it so far. I recall seeing in the papers sometime, where it was advertised asking people to come and bid for the road from Sunnyville to Kabusa but the road was never done, the residents of Dakwo, Kabusa, lokogwoma area need the government to come to their aid.”

    A taxi driver Obinna who plies the road everyday complained that the gully erosion adds to the danger and suffering on the road.

    One woman said, “I have been here for four years also and I know how difficult it has been for me. The truth is that they started the road in some parts that lead to Apo on one side and the other part that leads to Lugbe and they just left the whole mess in our area. If they had even put a little gravel on our road, it would have been better but they just left it like that and as you can see, the dust is really dangerous to our health.”

     

  • FCT gets election petitions tribunal

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election Petition Tribunal has been inaugurated.

    At the inauguration, the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, urged members of the tribunal to do justice without fear or favour.

    He said the country cannot make any appreciable progress without total commitment to the ground rules and adherence to due process.

    Justice Bello said, “You should be careful and thorough in the review of petitions, responses, pleadings, evidence and argument of counsel that will appear before you.

    “The nature of the task ahead entails that you may get accolades. But unfortunately, condemnation will also come your way. If you work in good conscience and according to the law, not selling justice to the highest bidder or mortgaging it for tribalism, nepotism or any other unwholesome sentiment, society, history and posterity will acquit you by placing. You are on the positive side of the scale,” he said.