The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FCTA

  • Demolition: FCTA, REDAN begin talks

    •Set-up committee to verify documents

    A ray of hope came the way of developers on the Lugbe/Airport road in Abuja at the weekend as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) agreed to work out modalities to resolve ongoing estate demolition crisis in the area.

    FCTA had declared all estates on the road illegal and earmarked no few than 37 of them for demolition.

    However, at a forum organised by REDAN and the Department of Development Control, the parties set-up a 13-member committee that would verify the status and documents of each estate along the route and make recommendations to them.

    The committee comprises representative of some Department under FCTA, Development Control, Urban and Regional Planning, Survey and Mapping, Land and the Abuja Geographical Information System, FCT Urban & Regional Planning Tribunal, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and REDAN.

    It was further agreed that the committee, which is expected to begin work immediately, would, at the end, come up with reports and recommendations that would be submitted to the National Assembly Joint Committee on FCT.

    It would be recalled that the National Assembly had waded into the matter following the controversies generated by the demolition of over 500 houses in three estates- Minanuel, Oluyole and Geofra estates – in the area.

    The Acting Director, Department of Development Control, Mr Hamza Madaki, said: “ If we have problem, it is only by telling ourselves the truth that we can move forward. It is not about trading blames. The National Assembly has given a directive that we should suspend demolition and fashion a way to get to the root of the matter and that is the whole essence of this meeting.

    “We are not happy in removing anyone’s building. We are not callous but we did what we did because it was necessary. Our intention was to remove all the estates. We only started with Minanuel Estate and the other two, until the National Assembly waded in. It is our hope that setting up this committee will enable us to find a lasting solution.

    “The truth must be told. What happened is that the government did not envisage any estate on the airport road. If it would be any layout, there is no one that would be done outside the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. There is no way AMAC would have its own layout outside what had earlier been laid out.

    “This is why we say, the approvals they gave for the estates are fake. Approving estates by AMAC is not even part of their schedule. AMAC couldn’t have given approval because they don’t have the professional competence to do such. Maybe there are syndicates in AMAC doing this and this is why we must get to the root of the matter. We must investigate.

    Honestly, it is a big problem. We must fight and this is why we must fight it. Not only in Lugbe, this issue of forgery is everywhere in Abuja and this is why we must fight it. We are not contending that any allocation in AMAC is fake because we are aware they give some allocations. But it is advisable that when dealing with AMAC, you write and get response in writing because a staff member in AMAC can deny giving such documents.”

    Earlier, Hamza, who led the team from Development Control, noted that the government did not envisage any estate development on the airport road, particularly because of its strategic location and AMAC has no authority to grant building approvals for estate development. Though AMAC is an extension of FCDA, it doesn’t have the power to approve estates.

    Speaking on behalf of developers at the forum, the National President of REDAN, Chief Olabode Afolayan, said this was one of the right steps to find a lasting solution to the problem, assuring the public that the outcome of the decision reached would be in their interest.

    Addressing the issue of fake land documents, Afolayan said it had been agreed that the committee would fish-out those responsible for the illegal act, adding that finding a solution to the Lugbe crisis was paramount to REDAN and as such, the association was ready to support the government on the matter.

  • FCTA to engage local engineers as consultants

    The agitation to give equal opportunities to Nigerian engineers just like their foreign counterparts has received a boost, as the FCT administration decided to engage local engineers as consultants in the new Abuja-land-swap-initiative.

    The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed said this during the 24th lecture of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Abuja.

    The minister challenged the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) to buy into the new scheme.

    Mohammed urged the NSE to rise to the challenge of making the engineering profession practical in Nigeria as well as providing solutions to the existing problems including quackery in the industry as well as shortage of qualified engineers.

    The minister re-iterated that the FCT Administration will take advantage and support the forthcoming ‘World Engineering Week’ scheduled for Abuja, being the first of its type in Africa.

    He paid tribute to Nigerian engineers especially those working in the FCT Administration, considering the world-class infrastructure they have been providing since the inception of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    Mohammed remarked that the ongoing Abuja Light Rail project which is being driven by one of the past presidents of NSE, Mr. Kashim Abdul Ali, will put Nigeria on the global engineering map.

    The minister noted that since his assumption of office, he has benefitted from a relationship with engineers in the FCT.

    Senator Mohammed called on the NSE to devise a means of ensuring quality control and providing technical advice to the government with a view to realising the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In his paper entitled: “Development of Water Supply Infrastructure in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects,” guest lecturer and Director of Transport, FCT, Mr. Kashim Abdul Ali, outlined some of the most critical areas impeding progress in the development of water supply infrastructure in the country.

    He explained how such challenges could be mitigated.

    Speaking earlier, the President of NSE, Mr. Mustapha Balarabe Shehu pleaded with the government to implement all previous white papers prepared by Nigerian engineers.

  • FCTA seeks foreign investment

    FCTA seeks foreign investment

    The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed said the administration has developed a concept of Public Private Partnership (PPP) to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the expansion of the nation’s capital.

    He disclosed this at a ceremony marking the “FCT Day” at the ongoing seventh Abuja International Trade Fair.

    Mohammed, who was represented by the Minister of State for the Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, explained that the PPP concept was currently being executed through joint ventures (JV) and Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) as exemplified in the Abuja Mass Transit System and Housing Development.

    He listed the priority sectors for investments under the FCT Road Map to include: New Districts/Engineering infrastructure, Housing Development/Real Estate, Satellite Towns Development, Agriculture, Industry/Manufacturing Development, Tourism/Hospitality, and Small and Medium Enterprises/Youth development.

    Other sectors are Health/Environment, Education, Transportation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Finance and Solid Minerals Development.

    “The FCT Administration has provided enabling environment to encourage both local and foreign investors through the creation of policy initiatives that provides incentives to investors namely; fiscal measures in terms of tax reliefs and allowances payable by entrepreneurs, provision of insurance cover for export oriented industries as specified in Decree No. 18 of 1986, liberal allocation of industrial park well laid out, demarcated and requisite infrastructure, land swap initiative and a host of other policy initiatives, including the recent development of Trade and Investment Policy Document and the establishment of Micro Finance Banks in the six Area Council to facilitate access to funds.

  • FCTA to build abattoir in Tungan Maje

    FCTA to build abattoir in Tungan Maje

    In addition to the just-completed veterinary clinics, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled plans to construct an ultra-modern Abuja Central Abattoir in Tungan Maje area of Gwagwalada Area Council.

    The construction of the abattoir became imperative in order to ensure that the FCT residents consume beef prepared in hygienic environment.

    Speaking at the 2012 Professional Continuing Education Seminar organised by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria in Abuja, the FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed said arrangements had been concluded with a private investor that will execute the project.

    Mohammed said: “In order to further underscore the importance of providing wholesome meat for the FCT residents, arrangements have been concluded with an investor for the construction of an ultra-modern Abuja central abattoir in Tungan Maje.”

    He added that when operational, it will elevate the standard of meat management in the FCT as all abattoirs, both public and private, will have to upgrade their operations to that standard in order to continue functioning or risk closure.

    The minister stated that while the contract for the construction of a veterinary clinic in Abaji would soon be awarded, the FCT Administration is working on a proposal geared towards upgrading Nyanya Veterinary Clinic into a veterinary hospital.

    According to him, construction of a veterinary laboratory at the Nyanya Veterinary Clinic has been completed while the contract execution for equipping the laboratory and the clinic is in progress.

    Mohammed further stated that arrangements have been concluded for the launch of the pilot FCT meat haulage scheme through public-private-partnership (PPP).

    He disclosed that with the establishment of fish farm estates in the territory, it will be able to address the low production of dairy and beef in the country, which necessarily requires rapid and essential upgrading.

    The Minister, however, cautioned all veterinary medicine practitioners to take it very seriously as it is a pre-requisite for annual practising license renewal.

    In his remark, the President, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Professor Gabriel Ogundipe said that the aim of the programme was to continuously update the skill and knowledge of practising veterinarians, in terms of general knowledge, wildlife management including recent developments in veterinary medicine, thereby, improving their professional competence and efficiency.

    He lamented the level of illiteracy of his members stressing that about 500 out of 4,500 council members annually attend the programme.

    “The level of literacy and sophistication that prevails in any profession is a reflection of the quality of continuing education. For the veterinary profession in Nigeria, the level is still not good enough. Only 300-500 veterinarians out of about 4,500 veterinary doctors resident in Nigeria attend any form of continuing education each year. It is observed that many veterinary officers, several veterinarians employed in tertiary institutions and those in private practices do not attend.

    “They therefore deny themselves of the opportunities to learn new techniques and new innovations in the field of veterinary medicine. The situation must change,” he said.

    Continuing, he added that: “The council is decentralising its services by setting up state offices. The ones in Enugu, Port Harcourt and Ibadan are now functional. Similarly, the College of Veterinary Surgeons Nigeria (CVSN) is also in the process of being decentralised.

    “The CVSN accreditation committee is currently going round the universities to possibly accredit them for the specialities of Medicine, Pathology, Surgeon and Public Health and Preventive Medicine. This will enable civil servants, private veterinary practitioners and academic veterinarians to enrol for their fellowship training in their neighbourhood.”

  • FCTA seals monorail deal

    FCTA seals monorail deal

    The FCT Administration has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a private firm, Trans-Globim Nigeria Limited for the development of the Abuja Monorail System.

    The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohamed who signed on behalf of the FCT Administration revealed that this idea has been fast tracked to provide additional modes of transportation to the teeming population of the Abuja metropolis and its environs in tandem with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The minister disclosed that this system of transportation is to complement the Abuja Light Rail with promises to tackle the chaotic traffic problems in and around the Federal Capital Territory; adding that satellite towns in the contiguous states will be connected.

    Senator Mohammed further revealed that the entire Abuja monorail system would have no cost bearing on the FCT Administration.

    In line with the agreement, the minister said that the FCT Administration will provide all the required rights of way for the project.

    He challenged the private firm to complete whatever is required including the feasibility studies that will give way for the actual concession agreement within six months.

    Senator Mohammed described the occasion as momentous as the monorail system will go a long way in reducing or solving traffic problems in Abuja including the satellite towns.

    Responding, the Chairman of Globim Corporation, Dr. Jude Igwemezie promised to come back in less than six months to concretise the process for the signing of concession agreement with the FCT Administration.

    He appreciated the speedy way Senator Mohammed handled the entire process which began in 2007.

    The signing of the MOU was witnessed by the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed and other top government functionaries.

  • FCTA, Presidency partner on job creation

    FCTA, Presidency partner on job creation

    The Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide has disclosed that the FCT Administration would jointly develop a framework for job creation with the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation.

    Akinjide, who stated this in Abuja while welcoming to her office the Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Miss Josephine Washima, said job creation was a crucial part of nation building which in turn makes a virile economy.

    “The FCT Administration will work together with the Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation to develop a template for job creation. This is an important assignment to which Mr. President attaches top priority.

    “The government wants to grow the economy and is seriously focusing on sectors that will provide employment to the people. The 2013 Budget has been christened ‘Fiscal Consolidation and Inclusive Growth’ by Mr. President. It shows the crucial nature of job creation and seriousness attached to it by the government,” she said.

    She noted that the government’s objective was to achieve inclusive growth by identifying and developing job creation opportunities in different sectors of the economy such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, housing, solid minerals, aviation and creative industry.

    The minister encouraged the presidential aide to collaborate with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the government in carrying out her assignment.

    The Special Assistant explained that her office was established in order to reduce the increasing rate of unemployment in the country.

    She added that this would be done through monitoring and evaluating the various agencies and sectors, saddled with the responsibility of generating employment through their activities.

    “The aim of the Office of Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation is to develop strategic programmes that will generate mass employment of Nigerian youths and interface with all job creation agencies on policy direction of government.

    “We shall also be developing a strategy for self-employment and entrepreneurship with emphasis on agriculture and agro-industries, small and medium enterprises and mineral resources, among others,” Washima noted.

  • FCTA raises technical committee on housing guidelines

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has constituted a Ministerial Committee to work out the policy guidelines and modalities for the its affordable housing programme.

    The committee  is chaired by the Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA), Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim Bakori.

    Members include: Director of Mass Housing, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr Jibrin Gambo; Director of Resettlement and Compensation, Mr Francis Okechukwu; Director of Survey and Mapping, Mr Ade Medupin; Director of Urban and Regional Planning, Mr Abubakar Sulaiman, and Director of Abuja Geographic Information System, Dr Mohammed Isah Jalo.

    The Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, Mr Anthony Ozodinobi,an engineer, who inaugurated the committee, charged the members to establish a viable and sustainable partnership between the public and private sector in the delivery of affordable housing.

    “We need pragmatic policy guidelines that would deliver affordable housing in FCT. The administration is committed to realising its affordable housing programme, which has necessitated the setting up of a Technical Committee to work out the policy guidelines,” he said.

  • FCTA tackles deforestation

    FCTA tackles deforestation

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has set up a 25-man committee to tackle deforestation in the Federal Capital City (FCC) and the six area councils.

    Chairperson of the Deforestation Committee and Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, said that the committee was established to fashion out a holistic approach to the hazards of deforestation in the FCT.

    Akinjide, who inaugurated the committee, explained that the FCT was faced with various environmental problems such as excessive heat, erosion, bush burning, flood, and loss of soil fertility which has contributed to food insecurity.

    “The effects of deforestation in FCT today cannot be over-emphasised since it is witnessed by all and sundry. It is evident in the increased FCT daily temperature in recent times. Few years ago, the highest daily temperature was as low as 27 degrees C  but now is between 34 degrees C and 37 degrees C in some months of the year.

    “My attention has also been drawn to the increasing rate of deforestation in FCT which is seen in heaps of firewood, bags of charcoal along our major roads, piles of timber exploitation from already over-exploited forests,” she stated.

    The minister urged members of the committee to identify the immediate and remote causes of deforestation in the FCT and also proffer effective ways of enforcing the existing forest law in the territory.

    She also directed the committee to recommend possible areas of inter-departmental collaborations with a view to curbing deforestation and ameliorating its effects.

    “The inauguration of the committee will no doubt help to foster a harmonious relationship with our environment and lead to achieving a sustainable environmental development especially now that the entire world is facing the menace of climate change/global warning that are having negative effects on the environment and man,” she added.

    Members of the committee include: Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat in the FCT, Mrs. Olvadi Bema Madayi; Secretary of Area Council Service Secretariat, Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim; Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Micah Jiba; Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. Peter Yohanna; Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Danladi Etsu Zhin; Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi; Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Hon. Yahaya Musa Muhammed, and Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon. Joseph Shazin.

    Also on the list of members are: Director of Engineering Services, FCTA, Mr. Adamu Abu; Director of Urban and Regional Planning, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman; Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency, Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim Bakori; Director of Parks and Recreation, FCTA, Mr. Ologun Rowland; Director of Development Control, Mr. Yahaya Yusuf, and Director of Compensation and Resettlement Department, Mr. Francis Okechukwu.

    Other members of the committee are: Director of Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Alhaji Isa Shuaibu; Director of Federal Department of Forestry, Mr. John Auta; Director of Agriculture in the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of FCTA, Mr. Adamu Wakili Zinze; Deputy Director (Agric Services), Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat of FCTA, Mrs. Margaret Gwamma; Director of FCT Fadama III, Alhaji Danladi Salisu Ibrahim; and representatives of Minister of Environment, Green Tree Africa Initiative and Abuja Green Society.

     

  • FCTA appoints Mamman as 2012 Amir Hajj

    The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, has approved the appointment of General Abdullahi Bagudu Mamman (rtd) as the Amir Hajj for the FCT Muslim pilgrims to the 2012 Hajj.
    The minister, who gave the approval yesterday, said General Mamman, who was the FCT Amir Hajj last year, got reappointed following the success recorded by the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

    In a letter signed by the minister and made available to reporters, Oloye Akinjide said: “Your appointment was based on your performances as evidenced in the Amirul-Hajj 2011 report.”

    She noted that the report had given her an insight into hajj operations generally and made her to take some initiatives.

    The Minister said General Mamman’s reappointment would afford him the opportunity to evaluate the operation and bring up areas of improvement.

    She added that she was counting on his forthrightness, ideas and dynamism.

    She assured of her continued support for the Amir Hajj, saying: “While praying for success on this challenging task, please be assured of my support and cooperation towards the achievement of your objectives.”

    General Mamman was a Minister of Internal Affairs during the military era.

  • FCTA moves to protect environment

    In order to protect and preserve Abuja green areas; the Federal Capital Territory Administration has set up the Abuja Green Corps to be supervised by the FCT Parks and Recreation Department.

    The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed this after meeting with some officials of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) in Abuja.

    He disclosed that the Abuja Green Corps would be used to serve abatement notices on persons and organisations that fell or destroy trees, shrubs and lawns in the city.

    According to him, the Corps will also sanction motorists moving, crisscrossing or parking on central verge and green areas. They, in addition, will ensure the replacement of any felled tree.

    Senator Mohammed further revealed that the FCT Department of Parks and Recreation has so far identified, captured and is organising 93 Private Plant Nurseries in the Federal Capital City for better outputs, even as he reiterated that the exercise is a continuous process.

    The minister also revealed that a special unit has been set up in the FCT Parks and Recreation Department to regulate the operations of private plant nurseries throughout the Federal Capital Territory with standardised identification and organisation, which will not disturb pedestrian movement on walkways.

    He said that the Administration has also set up three intervention squad/teams which will work round the clock to respond to critical situations especially during this rainy season. Such critical situations, he said, include obstruction of traffic by trees felled by wind and/or storm.

    Senator Mohammed stated that members of staff of the FCT Department of Parks and Recreation are being restructured to achieve better service delivery.