The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FCT

  • FCT to build special infectious diseases centre

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration plans to construct a special infectious disease centre in Abuja.When completed, patients with highly infectious diseases in the FCT will be quarantined in the centre and given adequate treatment.

    Minister of the FCT Mallam Muhammad Bello made the revelation when members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), FCT Chapter, paid him a courtesy call.

    Chief Press Secretary, FCT, Muhammad Sulemade this known in a statement.

    The statement read,”The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has announced plans to build a specialised centre where patients with highly infectious diseases in the Federal Capital Territory will be quarantined and given adequate treatment.

    “According to him, ‘“plans are underway by the FCT Administration to build a modern specialised health facility where patients with highly infectious diseases could be kept and given special attention.”

    “I have discussed also with some of your colleagues on the need to have a specialized centre for infectious diseases especially during the Lassa fever saga some months ago; I was surprised that patients that were suspected to have had the virus were kept initially at the National Hospital. I asked why we didn’t have a specialised centre in the territory for cases of such nature, where we will be able to quarantine affected people,” he stressed.

    “The Minister emphasised that such centre is on the front burner of his administration; noting, “We are working assiduously, believing that at some point, we should be able to have such facility in the city to serve the whole Territory”.

    “Malam Bello disclosed that the FCT Administration is currently partnering with some private individuals to set up new hospitals in the FCT in order to shore up the shortage in the number of hospital bed spaces noticed in the Territory; adding that government cannot do it alone.

    “His words: “For a long time, the issue of inadequate bed spaces in the FCT has really been something of great concern to me. Based on the briefings I got from the Health & Human Services Secretariat when I assumed office, I was amazed by the numbers I saw in terms of available bed spaces and since then, we have encouraged many private sector people that want to set up a hospital to come over and do it because government alone will not be able to bridge this huge gap”.

    “The Minister added, “Also, I have impressed upon owners of one or two of the hospital projects that you have seen on ground to try to get them completed because the more they are the better the services to humanity”.

    “Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, FCT Chapter, Dr. Chiedozie Jude Achonwa remarked that the Chapter intends to resuscitate its existing rural health programme to further serve the rural dwellers and contribute to the sustainable goals of the Federal Capital Territory.

    “While assuring the government of industrial harmony, Dr. Achonwa called for increased health infrastructure in the Territory considering the ever influx of people.”

  • FCT and menace of street beggars

    SIR: Despite efforts of the FCT Administration and the media to tackle the problem of begging in the FCT, all efforts to solve this problem have proved futile as beggars are on the rise in population and can be seen in public places, commercial centres and neighbourhoods, even worse on pedestrian bridges.

    While efforts of a number of stakeholders to combat the problem of begging in the FCT are commendable, it should be noted that the problem of begging is dimensional in nature and should be approached with care.

    This is why the recent proposition by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello to repatriate beggars and destitute in the FCT to their various states of origin where they will be received by welfare officials, in line with the extant rules of the FCT, is one that is worthy of commendation

    Also worthy of note is the plan of the FCT Administration to create a database under the Social Development Secretariat for all the arrested beggars and destitute taken to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre at Kuchiko, in Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

    Obviously, the establishment of this database would avail the administration adequate information on those arrested, as well as afford the government the opportunity to make adequate arrangement for their repatriation.

    Additionally, this database would also ensure easy reference for all those arrested and captured or repatriated, in the event they decide to return to their trade which could attract stiffer sanctions.

    It would be recalled that the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello had earlier created a Special Task Team, headed by Squad Leader AbdullahiMonjel (retd.) to complement the efforts of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board in curtailing the menace of street begging. To the credit of this task team, they were able to bust a begging syndicate based in Karma-Jiji, a suburb of Abuja led by one Baba Gwarma from Kaduna State, in addition to other numerous arrests.

    All these efforts are commendable but begging will continue to thrive if nothing is done to curb the menace and curbing the menace depends on how organized cities and public places are. A less organized commercial and public place where informal activities are predominant tends to attract more beggars.

    Any ban should be welcome against begging in the FCT. But when doing so, authorities concerned should also make adequate plans to rehabilitate beggars. They should be made to understand the importance of self-respect, and will power. Policies focusing at addressing issues related to people with disabilities and old people should seek to provide sustainable solutions pushing disabled and old people into begging.

    The social understanding of begging requires knowledge of the forces that promote it. Attempts to confront the problem in isolation of social measures are not likely to yield positive results. In this light, the rehabilitation Centre in Abuja, Bwari precisely is not basically to take care of them but to get them off the streets. Arguments have been made against such centres because they lack the basic amenities necessary for living thereby not effective for curbing street begging. But the FCT the Administration as was reported, has commenced moves to revamp all the vocational rehabilitation centres in the territory which is also commendable.

     

    • DanladiAkilu,

    Gudu District, Abuja.

  • FCT reactivates polio eradication task force

    In order to maintain the zero prevalence level of poliomyelitis in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the administration has reactivated the task force to tackle the disease. The task force has the brief to coordinate an immunisation programme to eradicate the disease.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye said this  while inaugurating the reactivated task force.

    Ajakaiye said the action was taken as a proactive measure to prevent any resurgence of the disease in any part of the Federal Capital Territory.

    He revealed that the administration has also approved the expansion of the task force membership in order to ensure sector-wide stakeholder participation.

    The Permanent Secretary said that this effort of the FCT Administration is geared towards strengthening Childhood Immunization Services across the 8,000 square kilometers of the Territory.

    According to the statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary Muhammad Sule, Ajakaiye insisted that Abuja must remain the pace setter for the 36 states of the federation to emulate and therefore urged members of the Task Team to work very hard to maintain the tempo.

    He stated that the FCT Administration would continue to provide all the necessary support to ensure that the programmes earmarked for the sustenance of the agenda are fully implemented.

    The Task Force’s terms of reference is to ensure effective leadership and coordination of all immunization activities by the FCT; prepare and regularly review/update a 12 month state plan for the intensification of Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization activities required interrupt/sustain interruption of wild poliovirus transmission.

    Other terms of reference are to ensure the formation of LGA inter-sectoral committees to coordinate planning and implementation of quality routine immunisation campaigns at LGA level; to oversee preparation of budgets for immunization activities, advocate for timely and adequate resource allocation and ensure judicious use of all funds allocation for these activities as well as coordinate the planning and execution of polio eradication supplemental immunisation activities amongst others.

    According to him, to give the desired impetus the assignment deserves, the reactivated and expanded Task Force would be chaired by himself, the FCT Permanent Secretary and the Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Board would serve as the Secretary.

    Other members of the 35-Member Task Force include some officials of the FCT Administration, Traditional Rulers, Religious Organizations, Media, World Health Organization, UNICEF, European Union, Emergency Agencies as well as the FCT Area Councils’ officials.

    Speaking earlier, the Acting Secretary of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Mrs. Alice Odey Achu assured that the Secretariat is poised to sustain the zero status of the Federal Capital Territory in poliomyelitis.

    The inaugural meeting to appraise the previous achievements as well as hit the ground running on the new task ahead was held immediately after the inauguration.

     

  • FG to assist states access N64.8b UBE funds

    FG to assist states access N64.8b UBE funds

    The Federal Government Wednesday said it was working on a decision that would allow states that have not been able to access the N64.8 Universal Basic Education funds for the development of basic education in the country have access to do so.

    Only nine out of the 36 states and FCT were able to access the funds in 2015. 28 states could not because they failed to provide the matching grants or afford to pay counterpart funds required to access the funds.

    Some of the states include: Oyo, Ekiti, Kwara, Bayelsa, Zamfara, Enugu, Plateau, Rivers, Nasarawa, Abia, Niger amongst others.

    Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, had said the ministry was working to reduce or do away with the requirements for matching grants by states for them to have access to the funds.

    “Meanwhile we at the ministry we are doing our best to reduce or do away with the requirements for matching grants so that states can just apply to UBEC and get what is their share,” he had said.

    Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hameed Bobboyi, told journalists during a meeting with state chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in Abuja on Wednesday that for states to be able to access the funds without meeting the requirements, the UBE Act 2004 has to be amended.

    Bobboyi stated that ministry of education has presented the challenge faced by states before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration.

    He said: “The Federal Ministry of education and the relevant agencies has been doing quite a lot to ensure that the funds that are un-accessed are accessed by the states. This case is before ministry of education which is taking up the issue with the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and I think when the FEC makes its decision these things will be available for each and everywhere person to know just where we stand on this issue.

    “There are two parties involved here and I think we should understand the major reason of instituting the matching grant of the UBE Act is to ensure that you build sufficient resources for the basic education sector where whatever the federal government brings the state governments will also match those funds and that is how the funding formula was developed.

    “The idea is for us to push and ensure that people understand the initial impact of having the matching grants but subsequently also to see what could be done to see policy changes which could come from government because it involves change in UBEC Act that will facilitate or institute a lower percentage of matching grants to enable a large number of states which may be in some difficulties to access the funds.”

    He blamed some states for failing to take basic education seriously even before the present economic challenges affecting the country.

    According to him, the government is worried about the numbers of out-of-school children in the country and the poor quality of teachers in the basic education sector.

    He added that teacher development was crucial to sustaining the quality of basic education in Nigeria.

    “But unfortunately because of certain factors, even before the economic crisis that people are talking about, there are some states, perhaps who have not taken basic education very seriously. UBE has a road map for the development of basic education in this country. Any Executive secretary who comes will look at this and see what the priorities of government at any moment are.

    “This government from the discussions and mandate that was given to us when we were inaugurated is to look at such key areas and ensure those concerned areas are addressed.

    “The worrying areas of out of school children, issues of teachers’ development are crucial to sustaining the quality of basic education in Nigeria because if we don’t develop the teacher it becomes very difficult for us to realize the quality we are looking for.

    “You know the key area that concerns this government is that area of accountability and transparency in the use of funds. And I think UBEC is going to improve its monitoring processes to ensure that whatever funds that come from UBEC are utilized in a transparent and accountable manner so that we can realize the core mandate of the organization that has been put in charge.

    The Executive Chairman/Dean of SUBEBs, Prince Stephen Alao, confirmed that some states have been able to access 78 per cent of the funds.

    He said: “Most states as I speak today have been able to access 78% of the fund for major infrastructural development across the nation and it is a continuous process.

    “Most of the governors take basic education as a priority and the money that they have to pay for them to access is quite a lot of money and I am very happy, for example we have been able to access and we are working.

    “There are some states that have not access for quite some time. I will mention like Ebonyi state. I want to commend their governor. Today they have accessed almost all their funds in UBEC and a lot of work is going on there.

    “Our job is to talk with our various chairmen to dialogue with their governors. Of course most governors know that basic education is a priority in this country. You and I know if that if you miss basic education there is no nation. So I think all of us are on the same page in this matter.”

  • I only stole from late Ambassador’s home—Suspect

    I only stole from late Ambassador’s home—Suspect

    The suspect paraded as murderer of Ambassador  SundayYusuf said he only stole from the deceased.

    Abubakar Yau, while confessing that he was a common scavenger wh stole N200,000 from the Late Ambassodor’s house in Zone 6, Wuse, Abuja said he had nothing to do with the man’s death.

    The Ambassador was murdered in his home on the 13th of June, 2016.

    Explaining how the arrest was made, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Mohammad Mustafa said the breakthrough is a result of dedication, resilience and determination of the officers.

    Mustafa said: “The Command has recorded another feat in its fight against crime with the arrest of the principal suspect in connection with the murder of the former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Late Ambassador Sunday Samuel Yusuf.

    “The principal suspect, Abubakar Yau was arrested at Daki Biyu after a discreet investigation. Some items belonging to the deceased were also found in his custody. The suspect has made useful confession that will lead to the arrest of his cohorts who are currently at large.

    On his part, the suspect, Yau said: “I went to his house around 2am, with the intention to steal. There was nobody in the house when I got there. When I got to his living room, I went round the house and discovered that nobody was around except him.

    “The man saw me and decided to go and hide.  I told the man that he should open the door of his room, else, I will break the door and enter. The man was afraid, he went behind the window to hide. As I broke into the room, I went to look for the man where he was hiding and I saw him hiding behind the window. I told him that if he does not want to die, he should leave the place because I was not after his life. I asked him to give me his hand because he was holding a pipe and he thought the pipe was strong but he later fell and died.

    “I only get N200,000 from the house. I didn’t know the man before I went there. It was stealing that led me to the house. I am a scavenger and I steal sometimes. I did not know if someone was in the house, all i wanted to do was steal.

    Yau said he feels terribly bad about the death.

    The CP noted that investigation is ongoing and they will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.

  • Senator submits bill for abolition of State of Origin

    Senator submits bill for abolition of State of Origin

    The Chairman Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye Friday disclosed that he has submitted a bill for the abolition of State of Origin.

    Melaye said this in Abuja at the unveiling of the 18th anniversary logo of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN).

    He said that Nigerians should be united in everything instead of victimizing one another.

    The lawmaker disclosed that the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN) has performed to the admiration of the National Assembly hence the need to support the organization.

    He said the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki has assured him that the third reading of the PCN bill in the Senate will be slated soonest.

    His words: “I have submitted a bill for the abolition of State of Origin. We are one united indivisible people in this country we do not need state of origin. My bill will be that instead of state of origin we should have state of residence. Where ever you reside is your state. For example Emaka can become governor of Kano State, Oluwole can decide to become the governor of Borno State and Abudul Malik can want to become the governor of Edo State. That is the Nigeria of our dream and that is for the youth to actualize.

    “The PCN has demonstrated service in your labour for Nigeria in the last 18 years. I acknowledge that you are a very responsible organization and you have done well. I want to encourage you to press on and you will continue to enjoy the support of Nigerians like myself. And I the Senate President send his support and encouragement.

    “He has assured me that the third reading of the bill in the Senate will be slated soonest and I want to assure you that it has been passed in the House of Representatives and I will personally supervise the concurrent in the Senate.  I appreciate the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the supervisory roll and encouragement.

    “I charge the Nigerian youths to shun violence; they are yet to discover their strength. This country is yours. Youth need attitudinal change.”

    The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung said government will continue to support the PCN and urged the organization to keep up the good work.

    Dalung who was represented by the Permanent Secretary advised PCN to continue to respect constituted authority with the view to enhance peace in the country.

    The National Commandant of PCN, Amb. Dickson Akoh said despite being subjected to series of institutional and fundamental challenges PCN has so far triumph adding that its achievements over the years is the most recent passage of a Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps by the House of Representatives on June 9, 2016.

    Akoh said it is the hope of all that the Bill will scale through third reading at the Senate.

     

     

  • FCT gets new Commissioner of Police

    FCT gets new Commissioner of Police

    A new Commissioner of Police (CP) has been appointed for the Federal Capital Territory. He is Alkali Usman and has assumed office at the Command headquarters.

    Usman was deployed from Delta State.

    At the handover ceremony, Usman said he would operate an open-door policy, adding that input from residents and relevant stakeholders for effective policing in the FCT would be appreciated.

    “All the strategies put in place by the outgoing CP to checkmate crime and criminality in the FCT will be studied and most will be sustained and improved upon.

    “I acknowledge the fact that I came from Delta State, which is a very challenging place but the nature of crime and criminality in Delta and FCT certainly differs, though there are some that we share.

    “Kidnapping and armed robbery are present in both states but militancy or marine aspects of policing is not in the FCT, but we will see how we can use our experience in Delta to better policing in FCT,” Usman said.

    He added that crime prevention was not the business of the police alone but a collective responsibility.

    Outgoing Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu said the FCT, with over 16,000 officers, worked round the clock to ensure security. He will assume duty as Commandant of the Police College in Kaduna State.

    Highlighting some of his achievements, Inalegwu said: “through the proactive efforts of officers and men, the Command was able to burst two notorious gangs who specialised in robbing estates and we have also reduced one-chance operation to the barest minimum.

    “Some of the suspects are in our custody while some are already in prison,” he added.

     

  • 2016 Budget: North Central, FCT get lion share for capital projects

    The breakdown of the sharing of funds for the various regions in the country has shown that the North Central has got the lion’s share totaling N271.79 billion for the implementation of capital projects.

    Details of the capital allocation of the 2016 Appropriations Act signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari was contained in a document by the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO).

    According to the document, the highest beneficiary is the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the sum of N209 billion (76.99%) for capital projects compared with every region across the Federation.

    While Nasarawa State got N14.75 billion (5.43%); Kwara State got N5.19%); Niger State got N12.59 billion (4.63%); Plateau State got N6.63 billion (2.44%); Benue got N7.46 billion (2.75%) while Kogi State got N7.25 billion (2.67%).

    The capital allocation of N73.7 billion went for the implementation of 802 new projects across the seven States within the North-West region of the Federation.

    From the appropriated amount Kano State got N32.14 billion (43.61%) for 166 projects; Kaduna State got N19.82 billion (26.99%) for 292 projects while Katsina State got N9.52 billion (12.92%).

    Jigawa State got the sum of N3.56 billion (4.84%) While N3.15 billion (4.28%) goes to Kebbi State; while Zamfara State got N2.53 billion for execution of 61 projects and N2.97 billion (4.04%) was allocated to Sokoto State.

    The South West region got a total sum of N48.97 billion of which Lagos State got the highest share allocation of N16.14 billion (32.95%); Oyo State got N12.28 billion (25.08%); Ogun State got N7.95 billion (16.23%); Osun State got N6.52 billion (13.30%); Ondo state got N3.77 billion (7.70%) while Ekiti State got N2.32 billion (4.74%).

    N46.69 billion is for the execution of 454 ongoing and mew projects for the North East geopolitical zone. Out of this, Gombe State got N9.70 billion (21%); Taraba state got N9.23%); Bauchi State got N9.23 billion (20%); Yobe State got N6.99 billion (15%); Adamawa state got N5.98 billion (13%) and Borno State N5.98 billion (12%).

    South South’s six states received N35.31 billion for execution of 474 projects out of which 30 are ongoing projects, 438 are new projects while six are unidentified.

    Cross River state in the breakdown got N10.75 billion (30.46%); Delta State got N7.55 billion (21.38%); Akwa-Ibom State got N1.92 billion (5.45%); Bayelsa State got N3.21 billion (9.08%); River state got N7.29 billion (20.66%) while Edo State got N4.58 billion (12.98%) of the total capital allocation.

    For the South East geopolitical zone, a total sum of N28.22 billion was appropriated for the five States. Abia State got N6.93 billion (24.55%); Anambra State got N3.02 billion (10.20%); Ebonyi state got N4.63 billion (16.41%); Enugu State got N10.15 billion (35.98%) while Imo State got N3.49 billion (12.36%) for capital projects for the year.

  • SOS to FCT minister on Ahmadu Bello Way

    SIR: Any visitor to the Federal Capital will observe one significant feature – the long stretch of the major roads. Each of the roads stretches several kilometres. Apart from aesthetic beauty of the roads and its overhead bridges, it makes for easy traffic flow. The roads in mind include Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Ahmadu Bello Way, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Ibrahim Babangida Way, Obafemi Awolowo Way, etc.

    Significantly, all the roads mentioned above have been completed and have long been put into use, except Ahmadu Bello Way. This road is named after one of the country’s founding fathers Sir Ahmadu Bello, first and only Premier of Northern Region of Nigeria. The long stretch of road runs through Gwarinpa district, Central Business District, Mabushi to Apo and terminates at Gudu market. Of this long sketch of road, one of the longest in Abuja, a stretch of 2.5 kilometres, from the junction of Oladipo Diya road in Apo District by Gudu Market to Lokogoma junction / Lokogoma Express has remained un-tarred. This has constituted a major problem. The traffic gridlock on this un-tarred stretch, especially in the evenings when commuters return home from work or their various businesses is unimaginable. Ironically there is a Fire Service station on this un-tarred stretch; if there is any fire incident in the environment, how will the Fire Service get easy access to the scene?

    The attention of the new Minister of FCT is called to this situation, with a view to his taking urgent steps to complete the tarring of the remaining portion of the road. Having tarred over 97% of the long stretch of road, the remaining less than three percent should not constitute a problem that will remain difficult to address. The memory of the late sage, Sir, Ahmadu Bello should not be one that has an uncompleted tarred road. He deserves more honour than that. From reports, the new minister is an action man and should do the needful on this short but very important road in the FCT.

    If funds for the tarring of the little remaining portion of the road are not provided in the 2016 Appropriation Act, the Honourable Minister should draw from the ministry’s emergency fund to work on this road. Sir Ahmadu Bello Expressway Abuja should be completed to give honour to whom it is due

     

    • Sam Ekpe,

    Abuja.

  • Again, court refuses to stop Dasuki’s trial

    Again, court refuses to stop Dasuki’s trial

    For the third time, former National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki lost Tuesday in a bid to stop his trial.

    Dasuki is involved in three different charges before three courts.

    He is charged with some others in alleged money laundering charges before Justices Hussein Baba Yusuf and Peter Affen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja.

    He is charged alone before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court on charges of illegal possession of firearms and money laundering.

    In separate rulings earlier this year, Justice Baba-Yusuf and Affen dismissed application by Dasuki seeking to be discharged of the charges against him.

    He also sought to restrain the Federal Government from further prosecuting him in any court in Nigeria on the ground that the Fed Govt allegedly flouted orders of the court, admitting him to bail.

    Ruling on a similar application this morning, Justice Ademola held that the reliefs sought by Dasuki were “not grantable.”

    The judge was of the opinion that the nation’s laws have made adequate provision for redress where contempt of court is alleged.

    Relying on the provision of Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, the judge also refused Dasuki’s prayer for stay of further proceedings in the case.

    He dismissed the application, thereby making it the third time a court will be rejecting Dasuki’s move to stop his trial.