Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has vowed that he will ensure that the area council chairmen in Abuja accounts for any misappropriation while in office.
Mohammed stated this during the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected chairmen of the FCT area councils at the Banquet Hall of the FCT Minister’s official residence.
He also charged them to put the security of lives and property on the front burner of their administrations as the era of politicking is over.
Senator Mohammed emphasised that security remains a major concern and all efforts must be put into ensuring security of lives and property within their domains.
His words: “Security remains a major concern and as you take office, you must hit the ground running to ensure security of lives and property within your domains.
“This administration has set up machinery for effective surveillance of the FCT and you will be expected to immediately commence effective security monitoring of your area councils as well as collaborate with the FCT law enforcement agents to achieve a round-the-clock watch over your domains.
“I will ensure that you account for any misappropriation in your area council.”
The minister assured that the FCT Administration, as usual, would continue to ensure that all the area councils receive all funds due to them from the statutory allocation.
Mohammed, therefore, called on the new chairmen to reciprocate the FCT gesture by avoiding waste, ensuring accountability in the management of public resources and complying fully with the Procurement Act.
He reiterated that his administration will not shirk its responsibility for effective supervision of their operations and warned that ‘any chairman found wanting would be made to account fully for his commission or omission.’
The FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide hoped that the new chairmen would complement the efforts of the FCT Administration to fast-track development at the grassroots.
Oloye Akinjide advised that the “welfare of the people remains the greatest law and the greatest manifesto above political party, section or creed.”
She reiterated that election is over and the forest fires are over; adding that what remains is the challenge of development, which neither turns in winner nor loser, neither victor nor vanquished.
“We will remain committed to building a plural and inclusive society in the FCT in particular and Nigeria in general,” the Minister of State stressed.
Those sworn-in included Yahaya Garba Gawu-Abaji Area Council; Micah Y. Jiba-Abuja Municipal Area Council; Yohanna Peter Ushafa- Bwari Area Council; Abubakar Jibrin Giri-Gwagwalada Area Council; Ishaku Tete Shaban-Kuje Area Council and Daniel Ibrahim-Kwali Area Council.
The chairmen were sworn in by the Acting FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim M. Bukar who was represented at the occasion by Justice Hussaini Baba Yusuf of FCT High Court, Maitama District Abuja.
The chairman of Bwari Area Council Mr. Yohanna Peter Ushafa who responded on behalf of other chairmen, appreciated the kind gesture of the FCT Ministers and promised to co-operate with the FCT Administration in achieving its policies and programmes.
The event was witnessed by important personalities in the Federal Capital Territory including the Senator representing the FCT, members of the House of Representatives representing the FCT, traditional rulers, leaders of political parties, youth leaders as well as community leaders.
