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Tag: FCTA

  • Residents blame FCTA, developer for flooding, losses, others

    Some property owners in Efab Estate, Lokogoma District of Abuja, have blamed the officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for allegedly conniving with the developer of the estate to fraudulently sell houses to them.

    The estate recently came to limelight after a series of flooding led to the destruction of houses and valuables, including the death of a teenager.

    The devastation was so bad that some affected property owners resorted to squatting with relatives, others vacated the estate and insisted on compensation from the FCTA and the developer.

    The Nation learnt that the FCTA has asked residents of Lokogoma District whose buildings are along waterways to vacate the areas, saying the buildings were the cause of perennial flooding in the area.

    The administration said most of the buildings were built without approval and that the owners were allocated where to build on by the FCTA, but that they left the original allocations and built on waterways.

    In a twist, some of those affected by the flooding and those that may eventually lose their property to demolition by the development control department of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), criticised the FCT authorities for doing nothing when the houses were being built by the developer.

    The victims said they were not comfortable with the plan by the FCTA to demolish the structures before compensating them.

    The Nation reports that in the Efab Estate, most of the houses near the major waterway get flooded whenever it rains. At least three major floods occurred between June 6, 26 and July 25, 2019, which led to  the destruction of property worth millions of naira and the death of a 17-year-old boy.

    The Nation observed a narrow stream within the estate that is not properly channeled and usually fills up whenever it rains thereby flooding houses along the waterway and environs.

    One of the affected residents, who did not want his name in print said he  moved into his apartment in the estate in 2010, but that in August, 2011, the first major flood occurred in the area.

    He said: “It flooded my house and fell the fence and did a lot of damage. Thank God, a friend who lived in my boys’ quarters travelled just a day earlier because the major debris fell directly on his bed in the early hours of the morning.”

    Since then, he said, the estate always witnessed flooding two to three times yearly. He recalled how the Residents Association entered into what he called a gentleman’s agreement with the promoter of  the estate, Chief Fabian Nwora, with part of the agreement stating  that they would  either relocate or compensate the residents even if it is partial,  after  advising him on the need  to  build a canal to check flooding in the expanse estate. He regretted that it wasn’t done, but what the promoters of the estate did was to only temporarily excavate  sand out of the stream for about two years. He maintained that the developer did not execute the agreement it reached with the residents’ association.

    He revealed that after the June 26 incident, the residents’ association met with the developer and the FCTA with   the FCTA saying the owners did not have approval for the buildings.

  • 2019 Budget: FCTA proposes over N30b for projects

    THE Federal Capital Administration (FCTA) has presented a National Priority Budget of N30,704,674.051 to the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The presentation was made by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, when he led a delegation of senior FCTA officials to the National Assembly complex.

    According to the minister, the sum is based on the National Priority Budget Capital Envelop for the 2019 fiscal year for the FCT.

    He said 30 projects include provision of engineering infrastructure to several districts, payment of counterpart funds, construction of the Abuja rail mass Transit (LOT1B), Abuja Rail Mass transit (LOT 1and 3), completion of the International Technical and Vocational Institute Utako and four comprehensive science and technical colleges in Abaji, Kuje, Gwagwalada and Karshi  as well as  the provision of primary infrastructure – road, water, sewage and power supply – and mass housing districts among others.

    Read also: FCT: INEC declares PDP winner of Bwari council chairmanship election

    According to a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, on the performance analysis of various projects under the 2018 FCT National Budget, the minister explained that N32, 298,122,862.00 was appropriated. The sum of N9,689,436,861.77 was actually released, adding that of the 33 priority projects listed for implementation, only 15 were executed up to various degrees.

  • 2019 budget: FCTA proposes over 30 billion for projects

    The Federal Capital Administration (FCTA) has presented a National Priority Budget of N30,704,674.051 (Thirty Billion, Seven Hundred and Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand and fifty one Kobo) to the Senate Committee on the FCT.

    The presentation was made by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello when he led a delegation of senior FCTA officials to the National Assembly complex.

    According to the Minister, the sum is based on the National Priority Budget Capital Envelop for the 2019 fiscal year for the FCT.

    He revealed that a total of 30 projects which include provision of engineering infrastructure to several districts, payment of counterpart funds, construction of the Abuja rail mass Transit (LOT1B), Abuja Rail Mass transit (LOT 1and 3), completion of the International Technical and Vocational Institute Utako and four comprehensive science and technical colleges in Abaji, Kuje, Gwagwalada and Karshi as well as the provision of primary infrastructure (road, water, sewage and power supply) to mass housing districts amongst others.

    According to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye, on the performance analysis of various projects under the 2018 FCT National Budget, the Minister revealed that while a total of N32, 298,122,862.00 was appropriated the sum of N9,689,436,861.77 was actually released adding that of the 33 priority projects listed for implementation, only 15 were executed up to various degrees.

    He however attributed this to the non-release of funds to the FCTA, a situation which he said was not peculiar to the FCT alone.

    While expressing dissatisfaction at the inadequate release of funds to the FCT, the Chairman, Senate Committee on the FCT, Senator Dino Melaye appealed to the Federal Government to treat the FCT as a national priority project and release adequate funds for the development of the FCT.

    He said that Abuja city hosts the seat of the Federal Government along with about 90% of the embassies in the country and is the first port of call of all foreign dignitaries that visit Nigeria.

    Bello said it would be a national embarrassment if facilities and utilities of the FCT are not functioning properly.

    Senator Melaye also commended the FCT Minister for his transparent approach to governance and prudent management of resources.

  • FCTA upgrades health services

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has developed a four-year Strategic Health Development Plan (SHDP) that will require about N162 billion to execute.

    Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), Adamu Abubakar Bappah who disclosed this during the end of year press briefing in his office, announced that N7.9 billion has been spent on healthcare delivery in the FCT for 2018.

    He said: “FCT Strategic Health Development Plan (SHDP) 2018-2022 has been developed, which will provide policy and pragmatic directives of the FCT health sector for the next five years”.

    According to Bappa, the strategic blueprint would be sourced from budgetary allocations, Internally Generated Revenue from health services, international donors such as the World Health Organization (WHO), United States Department for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, among others.

    Highlighting major achievements of the Secretariat in 2018, Bappa revealed that N200 million was spent on recapitalization of the Drug Revolving Fund, N1.3 billion was spent on drugs and medical supplies distributed to various FCT Hospitals and commodities for control of HIV cost N2.5 billion.

    More achievements of the Secretariat include establishment of Public Health Emergency Operation Centre with support from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, ongoing construction of 12 Primary Health Centres and 12 solar powered boreholes in the Six FCT Area Councils, Public Health Laboratory for routine screening for food handlers, as well as  construction and equipping of 220 bed Gwarinpa District Hospital, which is at 30 percent completion.

    The Secretariat also recorded increase in the coverage of mother to child HIV transmission from 36.7 to 81.1 percent, immunization coverage from 63.4 to 80.5 percent, increased distribution of mosquito treated net from 16.5 to 36 percent and distributed over N1.3 billion worth of drugs to FCTA hospitals.

    Accordingly, a total of 4075 clients, consisting 1127 principals and 2948 dependents were enrolled under FHSS, secured accreditation for residency training in opthalmology in Asokoro District Hospital and residency training in general surgery for Bwari General Hospital and distributed 45255 rapid diagnostics test kits for to health facilities in the Area Councils.

    The Administration also constructed 4-bed  Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Gaube -Kuje Area Council, renovated PHCs in Jikoko, Cumi and Ayaura in Abaji Area Council, constructed cold store -fitted with direct drive solar refrigerators in Apo, among others.

    He also stated that N15.3 million has been spent on tuberculosis control, family planning consumables gulped N20.7 million and vaccines programmes cost N3.7 billion for the year 2018.

    The FCT Health Secretary however disclosed that the Secretariat generated N114.1 million internally, with N60.3 million generated by Private Health Establishment Registration and Monitoring Committee while Abuja Central Medical Store generated N53.7 million.

    He added that the Secretariat is collaborating with Institute of Human Virology to develop a database for all health workers in the FCT and 60% Reporting Rate on submission and utilization statistics at health facilities has been achieved while 508 public and private health facilities in the FCT are on District Health Information System Platform National Server.

    Bappa however decried that the Secretariat was confronted with challenges such as funding, epidemics, understaffing, delayed budgetary releases and overstretched amenities and called for more funding as well as partnership to fulfill the responsibility of providing and delivering health services to the public.

    He therefore debunked insinuations that there was outbreak of any disease in any part of the FCT.

     

  • FCTA, UN-Habitats collaborate to urbanise Abuja

    Fresh hopes of urbanisation and creation of sustainable and habitable human settlements in Abuja, received a boost at the weekend.This comes on the heels of a new partnership between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the United Nations Habitat (UN-Habitat) to address the situation.

    This disclosure was made during the opening ceremony of FCT edition of the “Urban Thinkers Campus” Phase 3, by the Minister of the FCT, Mallam Muhammad Bello. The event had the theme: “The City We Need.”

    According to the minister, the partnership with the UN-Habitat has been carefully designed to ensure that the FCT is not left behind in upholding the best practices of human habitats. The initiative, he explained, was designed to provide a platform for critical stakeholders to brainstorm on how to leverage on the opportunities of urbanisation for creative and positive transformation of cities.

    Bello, who was at the event by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Christian Ohaa, added that the partnership involved a commitment to building an “inclusive, well planned, economically viable, safe and healthy city, among others.

    “We are very hopeful that this roundtable would come up with a dynamic plan of action as well as effective strategies for meeting the challenges confronting Abuja as a city. It would be very critical in the life of this city. Our areas of concern include appraisal of resettlement policies and the prospects of building a smart city,” he said.

    In  a  similar vein, a representative of Huaroui Commission, Dr. Limota Goroso-Giwa, said the FCT was among the 37 selected global cities that are hosting of the “Urban Thinkers Campus” pilot project. The project, she explained, is focused on creating political space for projecting the desired kind of urban cities in the next 35 years and beyond.

    “Although Abuja is a fast developing city, there is the need to look at ways to incorporate every aspect of development and infrastructure. We are looking at evaluating and solving the problems associated with Abuja, as a city that the world is looking up to,” she said.

    Also, the UN-Habitat Nigeria Programme Manager, Kabir Yari, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at promoting a global all inclusive sustainable cities and human settlements, which is hoped would help in bridging the gap in the development of a society through provision of basic services for all human settlements, measure that promote cleaner cities. Yari said as part of commitment to the project, governments are expected to develop and adopt an inclusive implementation process as part of their commitment to the programme.

    When this project is achieved, it is expected to bring succour to the estimated 80 per cent of the population in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said to be living in the slums where basic social amenities are scarce .

    This position was aptly captured in an address delivered by a former Acting Director, Satellite Development Department ( STDD), Victoria Imande, at the event. Imande spoke on the: Slum upgrade for indigenous settlements, Appraisal of Resettlement policies-The way forward.

    She blamed the preponderance of slum settlements on the huge cost of securing decent accommodation in city centres, thus making people take residence in the border areas.

     

  • FCTA’s timely disaster response

    SIR: Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been hit of recent with disasters that claimed lives and properties. Some of these include the three floor building collapse at Jabi District, which killed three persons and injured six others; the recent earth tremors that unsettled the nerves of residents in and around Mpape, Gwarimpa, Garki and Kubwa, as well as the flood disaster in Kobi and Kuruduma settlement that resulted in the death of three persons and swept away houses.

    Much as these disasters have been worrisome and unsettling, the reactions and subsequent actions taken by the FCT Administration to calm the nerves and guard against future occurrence have been commendable.  The FCT Minister, in company of the FCT Permanent Secretary, proceeded straight to the Plot 711, Cadastral Zone B04, Jabi District, Abuja site of the collapsed building to do an on the spot assessment of the situation when he received news of the sad incident.

    The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMCC) and the Federal Capital Development Authority also joined in the rescue efforts and worked overnight with floodlights and other equipment to excavate the rubbles and rescue some of the people that were trapped in the debris.  Officials remained on the site on the directive of the minister, much after the FEMA and other agencies had called off operations, to completely remove the debris. It was as a result of the prolonged operation that the body of one SadiqAliu was discovered, vindicating the minister’s directive.

    The FCTA and other agencies of government also moved fast to allay the fears of residents by getting experts to confirm that Abuja does not sit on any  fault line that could trigger major seismic disasters. The very vital earthquake monitoring seismograms was also procured by government to monitor ground disturbances.

    These in my mind, are the attributes of pragmatic leadership. Truly the FCT Minister deserves commendation for making sure that the agonies that arose from the unfortunate disasters are cushioned.

    Also deserving of commendation are the emergency response to the building collapse and earth tremor by officials from the AMCC, the FCDA,  the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Road Traffic Service Department of FCTA, the Nigeria Police, the military, paramilitary and ambulance services unit of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat who were able to mobilize and carry out swift rescue operations which made possible for those who were injured in the case of the building collapse to be rushed to hospital, while the dead were moved to various hospital mortuaries.

     

    • DanladiAkilu,

    Durumi II, Gudu District, Abuja

  • FCTA warns against open defecation to prevent cholera

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned residents to desist from open defecation to prevent cholera in the territory.

    The Director, Public Health, Health and Human Services Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Humphrey Okoroukwu, gave the warning in a  statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Okoroukwu disclosed that seven deaths have so far been recorded from cholera outbreak in four communities of Sauka, Mpape, Kubwa village and Ushafa.

    He, however, explained that open defecation was one of the causes that predisposes some residents to cholera, which affected some communities in the territory.

    “People should stop defecating in open places, especially around the river banks to prevent infectious diseases like cholera.

    ”Residents are advised to have toilets in their homes and those who cannot afford Water Closet should endeavour to have pit latrines to avoid outbreak of cholera,” he said.

    The director said that cholera outbreak was common during the rainy season, and stressed the need for residents to take necessary precautions.

    He said that cholera outbreak occurred mainly in rural communities that had no access to potable water.

    Okoroukwu also enjoined FCT residents to treat their drinkable water and ensure that it was free of any contamination.

    He advised residents to take sick persons with symptoms of cholera immediately to nearby healthcare facility or hospital, pointing out that timeliness is of essence. (NAN)

  • One in every two babies not breastfed exclusively in FCT

    Mrs. Amanda Pam, the Secretary, Health and Human Service Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says one out of every two babies delivered in FCT is not exclusively breastfed.

    Pam disclosed this at a ‘Baby Show’ organised by the FCT Primary Health Care Board to commemorate the 2018 World Breastfeeding Week with the theme “Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life’’.

    The scribe identified this gap as a contributing factor to the rate of death and illnesses in the territory describing it as unacceptable.

    Read Also: ‘PPP initiative will accelerate qualitative health care’

    She however suggested that the only way to reduce this burden was to ensure that all women in FCT irrespective of where they live are often time provided with adequate information on affordable, effective and efficient nutritious meals for their babies.

    According to her, the answer to mortality rate is exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life, followed by introduction of complementary food at six months while continuing breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond.

    Pam, who identified breast milk as God’s made best food for babies, however urged men to support their wives to effectively breastfeed to enable the children benefit optimally.

    She further urged women to ensure early initiation of breastfeeding within 30 minutes after delivery.

    ‘Women breastfeed your babies within half an hour of delivery, breastfeed without adding water or any food nor drink in the first six months of life.’

    ‘Breast milk provides all the nutrients that the baby needs for growth, development in the first six months of life.’

    ‘It has no cost implication, it promotes bonding between mother and child and as well makes children intelligent, among other benefits,’Pam said.

     

  • Bwari Area Council allays fear of cholera outbreak

    The Bwari Area Council in FCT says necessary measures are being put in place to forestall further spread of cholera in the area.

    The Head of Department of Health in the Council, Dr Sunday Goji, told our reporter on Thursday that the council had engaged traditional heads on the need to sensitise their subjects on hygiene.

    NAN reports that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had confirmed the death of seven people from the outbreak of cholera in four communities in the territory.

    The breakdown revealed that two deaths each were recorded at Kubwa village, Mpape and Ushafa, while one was recorded at Sauka.

    Goji said that the cases fit into the definition of cholera, but added that the council was awaiting final laboratory confirmation on some of the reported cases.

    According to him, various forms of sanitation are ongoing within the communities, people have been informed of the dangers of unhygienic environment.

    Read Also: Bwari town: A case study in dirtiness

    He said that the council had stocked the health centres with drug, and urged the public to take any individual with life threatening symptoms to the centres for immediate attention.

    He also stressed the need for proper tests and diagnoses on patients who exhibit symptoms of cholera.

    Goji added that the council would continue to monitor the situation; while assuring the citizens that it would do all it takes to ensure that the communities were free from filth through sensitisation campaign.

  • FCTA apologises over `traffic inconvenience’

    The Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) has apologised for inconveniences caused the public by traffic diversion during yesterday’s National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

    Transport Secretary of FCTA, Mr Kayode Opeifa, gave the apology in response to complaints by some Abuja residents and motorists over “difficulties” arising from diversion of vehicular movements from routes leading to Eagle Square, the convention venue.

    “We apologise for any inconvenience experienced. We could do better, but under the current circumstance we have done well,” Opeifa told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The convention drew thousands of party leaders, delegates and other members across the country, resulting in an upsurge in vehicular and human traffic.

    Combined teams of security and traffic management agencies diverted motorists from both ends of Shehu Shagari Way and Ahmadu Bello Way and adjoining routes in the vicinity of the convention venue.

    The agencies involved in the assignment included Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), FCTA Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Although Opeifa announced on Thursday that motorists would be diverted through alternative routes, some of them and commuters, who spoke to NAN, said they were not aware of any notice for the diversions.

    Mr Prince Uchenna, a commercial bus driver plying the Mararaba-Wuse route, said the announcement should have been made at least a week before the convention date.

    “On my first trip from Mararaba this morning, I spent almost an hour at Bullet Junction because the place was jammed by vehicles making U-turn.

    “I would have avoided that road if I heard the announcement you are talking about,” he told a NAN correspondent.

    Opeifa said that except for the Shehu Shagari Way and its approaches that were restricted, most, if not all other parts of the city, remained calm.

    He, however, thanked Abuja residents and road users for heeding “our traffic advisory”, and solicited continued support and cooperation from them.

    “I call on them to continue to obey our traffic management and security officers who are doing their best to keep traffic moving with pride, dignity and honour.

    “They have done so and fantastic too,” Opeifa said.