Tag: FCTA

The Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Women Affairs Secretariat, Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, has sealed off an orphanage, known as the Priesthood Orphanage in Karonmajigi.

The move followed the rescue of 23 children, aged between 1 and 14 years, who were trafficked from Plateau state and found within the premises of the orphanage.

Addressing reporters on Monday, Benjamins-Laniyi stated that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had granted authorization to the Secretariat to conduct a thorough profiling and recertification of orphanages operating within the nation’s capital.

She said: “There is no question, yesterday, with immediate effect, that ‘home’ was sealed, shut down. We have the name of the proprietor of the orphanage home, but we are not naming names now for obvious reasons. When the entire material investigation is concluded, there will be an official gazetted presentation of the facts, the findings and the delivery of this intervention we’ve started here today.

“NAPTIP, as we speak is already on it. Using this as an example, one of the first things I have done is to get approval for the recertification of orphanage homes in Abuja. The Minister has approved that there will be a full thorough re-profiling of anything that has to do with orphanage and recertification status of all orphanages in Abuja.”

She noted that the Women’s Secretariat was already working with the office of the Commissioner of Women Affairs of Plateau State, to reunite the children with their families, some of whom she said had been at the uncertified orphanage for five years, since 2019.

She said: “We are working with the Plateau state government to reunite the children that I had earlier mentioned by name and by age, with their families in Plateau state. This is a transition arrangement.”

The Plateau State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Caroline Dafur, narrated that the Proprietors of the orphanage home abandoned the children at the orphanage, under the care of one Pastor Abraham, in a terrible condition of hunger.

She noted: “Three of the children had then escaped and were discovered by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, who reported the case to the NAPTIP and took the children to the Human Rights Radio, who then notified the Plateau State government and the FCT Women’s Secretariat.

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“We came in yesterday and on reaching here, we were told that they went to church. We kept going from one church to another, looking for them until we found them in a Deeper Life Church, where we were able to pick them up, and we went to the home. And we saw the place it is not supposed to be called a home.

“The place is just so unkempt. I wonder how the children were sleeping in the small room. Nine girls were sleeping in a very small room with just two mattresses. And then for the boys, they were in a small room too, with two mattresses just on the floor. And I mean, it’s so pathetic the way human beings treat human beings in this country.”

She stated the displeasure of the Plateau state government while appreciating the Mandate Secretary for the assistance in evacuating the children, and relocating them to the Karu Children’s Home.

Residents of Gwarinpa in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were thrown into confusion as authorities demolished illegal structures and shanties on Wednesday.

Over fifteen thousand illegal occupants were evicted from the area, with many scrambling to salvage their belongings.

Muktar Galadima, the Director of Development Control for the FCT, addressed reporters during the demolition, stating that the illegal buildings were obstructing arterial Road N16, which connected the Federal Secretariat to Maitama, Katampe, Jabi, and Gwarinpa.

He added that the Engineering Department of the FCTA was ready to begin construction on the road as soon as the demolition was completed and that the construction of the road had already been awarded.

Galadima said initial notice was given to the illegal occupants before the demolition.  

He said: “This location that we are on is a road corridor, it’s an arterial road that is called N16, but on the other side of the city, this is the road that is named the Shehu Shagari Way. So, it starts from the Federal Secretariat, through Maitama, Katampe, Jahi and then to Gwarinpa. 

“As I said, these are structures that were illegally built on the road corridor. That is why we are coming to remove them because the Engineering Department will start the road construction right away. That is why we have to remove the obstacles that are preventing them from the road construction.

“Well, they are being relocated somewhere else, but we have over 10 to 15,000 people who are staying here illegally. As we are clearing now, engineering is already on standby. The contract has been awarded. They are on standby, they wrote to us that they want us to clear this corridor for them so that the road construction can commence. So, they will not come back to this place again”.

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The Secretary of FCT Command and Control Center, Peter Olumuji, also said the demolished shanties had become notorious for harbouring criminals, adding that the demolition would bring about better security for those residing in Gwarimpa and its environments

He said: “The shanties we have here that you have seen physically harbours a lot of criminal elements that have been terrorizing Gwarinpa and its environments. You have issues of illicit drug dealing, you have issues of rape of the girl child, you have issues of different kinds of armed robbery suspects that have been arrested within. There is a place even called the Abacha Estate, where the Police have recovered arms and ammunition in times past. So, this demolition is going to bring about better security for those who are residing within Gwarimpa and its environments.”

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has intensified its efforts to combat criminal activities in the nation’s capital.

The officials from the FCT Administration’s ‘City Management Team,’ led by Mukhtar Galadima, Director of the Department of Development Control, on Tuesday, February 13, commenced the clearance of unauthorized activities under bridges and subways near Abia House on Ahmadu Bello Way in the Central Business District.

Galadima stated that the operation was prompted by a directive from the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike to address security concerns and conduct a visibility study on subways and under bridges suspected to be used as hideouts by criminals.

Representing Galadima, Hassan Ogbole, Deputy Director of Monitoring and Enforcement, clarified that residents had raised alarms about the escalating security challenges linked to many of these areas.

He said: “The team which comprises all the strategic agencies of FCT Administration went round in the last two weeks on preliminary findings, from Area 1, Ahmadu Bello way to Area 2, and we have 10 underbridges that will be cleared.

“The operation is a fallout from the Minister’s directive to clean up or conduct a visibility study on subways and under bridges within the territory arising from security issues associated with most of the locations

“After the exercise rightful persons will take over the areas for proper management.

“Gone are those days that places are recovered and abandoned, it depends on the people that we will be handed over these places to, but we must ensure that the right thing is done.

“We have close to 10 bridges, and some of the places are ecologically reserved areas, we will organize them through the Urban Affairs department, they will be well profiled and they will have a place to stay”.

Contributing, Secretary, Control and Command FCT Administration, Peter Olumuji said the operation is to guarantee the safety of residents.

Read Also: Kidnapping: FCTA raises alarm over squatters under Abuja bridges

According to Olumuji: “Part of the reasons for the operation is to guarantee the safety of residents, members of the public have been complaining about unwholesome acts of criminal elements under these bridges, anytime they commit a crime they run to the bridges to hibernate, the administration is committed to making under bridges uncomfortable for criminals.”

On sustainability, he said: “After the clearing, all Divisional Police Officers in those areas are to take charge, they have been informed and they have assured us that the bridges will be kept under control.

“The areas recovered will be converted to better use than leaving it in the hands of suspected criminals, it is not that we are displaying people but the places can be used for viable economic reasons.”

As part of measures to safeguard lives and properties in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced profiling and massive raids of notorious bridges and subways within the Central Business District (CBD), Maitama and Wuse Districts of Abuja.

Commencing the operation on Monday, FCTA, through its Joint Task Force on City Sanitation stormed and raided subways and bridges around the three Arms zone, especially roads connecting Women Affairs Ministry, Force headquarters, Court of Appeal and Federal Secretariat.

The team also raided tunnels and green areas beside Abia House, connecting to River Plate Park through to National Mosque and Yar’Adua centre, including Millennium and Chescon Parks, in Maitama, and Wuse, where informal activities are taking place, side by side with people of questionable characters living under the facilities.

Coordinator of the Taskforce, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the operation on Monday, said it was pursuant to the directive of the  FCT Minister, following complaints from residents in the city alleging the misuse and abuse of such facilities.

Galadima, who doubles as the Director, FCT Department of Development Control,  described the sanitary condition within and around the affected facilities as very disturbing, which calls for immediate drastic measures to  mitigate.

He said: “The honorable FCT Minister directed that we should take necessary action, and today we are on a fact-finding mission, to know what is really happening under the bridges and subways. From today, we can come out with our plan of action on the next step to be taken. 

“With what we have seen today, it is really unfortunate that these things are happening in the city, where informal activities are taking place under the bridges and subways, as well as people of questionable characters are living there. We met some under 10 years kids under one of the bridges.

“Considering the issues of security and looking at these people residing under the bridges, it is of great concern to the FCT Administration, and we will not lay it low as we have to take it up immediately.

“We have to step up our action on combing and monitoring these facilities and activities taking place there”.

Read Also: Kidnapping: FCTA hands over Abuja motor park to union after profiling 

Also speaking, Secretary, Command and Control Centre, of the FCT Security Services Department, Dr. Peter Olumuji, recalled that residents of the capital city have been raising concern on how whenever they transverse those locations criminal elements coming out from the bushes, snatching their phone and bags, robbing them of their valuables even in their cars when they don’t wind up. Immediately they do this, they run into the bridges to hibernate. 

He said: “That is why we have decided to come and profile the canals and bridges within the capital cities, and what we have seen is so disturbing. 

“We have all the security agencies represented here in this operation. We have the Nigerian Police, Civil Defense, the DSS, the NDLEA, Immigration, so what we will do now is to commence effective clamp down on these criminal elements under the bridges.”

On the number of arrests made, Olumuji said: “We made three arrests under the bridges today and these arrests concern more of drug related issues, and we have handed them over to the NDLEA for further investigation and profiling”.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Barrister Nyesom Wike has said the FCT Administration will soon ban unpainted taxis and buses plying the capital city. 

Wike, who disclosed this during a media chat in Abuja, explained that the move was to address the incidence of ‘one chance’ and kidnapping in the city.

The ‘once chance’ menace involves criminals posing as taxi drivers rob, assault, and sometimes murder their unsuspecting passengers.

The Minister, who said the incidence of the menace of ‘one chance’ had been reduced, added that stricter measures were necessary to end the trend in the FCT.   

“We are not going to allow vehicles that are not painted with FCT colour and registered by the FCTA to ply commercial in the territory.

“That way, you know the driver is certified by the FCT and the buses and the taxes were also approved by the FCT.

“When this is done, you as the passenger will not take the risk of going to enter any vehicle that you don’t even know,” he said.

Wike added that Uber operators would also need to register to operate in Abuja so that the government would know who the divers were.

He also said the drivers need to be certified and profiled by the security agencies,” this is a city, if you don’t have rules, there will be problems”.

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The Minister expressed concerns that the capital territory does not have an official terminal where residents can go and board a bus to a specific destination.

“That way, you know the drivers and the vehicle that you are entering.  

“But currently, everybody is just on the road. You are going to Nyanya, a car is on the road, you enter; you are going to Wuye, a car is on the road you enter.

“What we are trying to do in the 2024 fiscal year is to at least build three terminals for a start, so that we will know the buses and taxes that will carry people from such terminals.

“When this is done nobody will take the risk of going on the road to waif for a taxi. That way, you will be able to reduce crime,” he said.

President Bola Tinubu has received commendations for cancelling posting of a new Permanent Secretary to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

FCT minister, Nyesom Wike has also been praised for his role in the quick and sensitive intervention culminating into reversal of the posting, described as: “uncalled for, unlawful and inimical to the powers of the President who has already approved creation of the FCT Service Commission.”

The commendations were made on behalf of the workers under the aegis of the League of Retired and Serving FCTA Directors, in a chat with a section of the media over the weekend in Abuja.

They hailed the president and the FCT minister for their determination to ensure wide ranging reforms that would reposition the administration, boost staff morale, improve productivity and ensure effective service delivery to the public.

Chairman of the League, Lukeman Oramosele who spoke for the staff recalled that, in just a few months, the duo: “have been able to achieve so much in human, institutional and physical development of the nation’s capital.”

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He stressed that since assumption of office by the current Minister, all project sites hitherto abandoned, were now bubbling with construction activities.

Oramosele expressed hope for a better FCT and Nigeria, saying: “it is obvious we are in for good times and better days, not just as staff -serving or retired, but also contractors handling FCTA or Federal Government projects in the FCT are happy because they are working and money is coming non-stop.

“The entire country is hopeful, even though there are challenges, but the captain of the ship is steering away from the storms into calm waters, and we can see and feel hope.”

Recall that the new Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani was, last week, posted to the FCTA by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

She was to replace the current Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, who is expected to retire from service on the 29th May, 2024.

Apparently, staff of the FCT Administration had staged a rejection protest immediately after her posting was announced, citing the President’s recent approval for establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, which does not provide for the position.

The League of Retired and Serving FCTA Directors is a platform which brings together FCTA top bureaucrats with their retired colleagues to share experiences on improvement of service delivery.

As part of an effort to digitize teaching and learning, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it is going to spend about N1.7 billion to establish a smart school in the nation’s capital city, to widen the advancement of inclusive education.

The FCTA disclosed that the proposed smart school, which will be sited in Karshi, a community located within Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) would mark the beginning of digital schools in the city.

Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, Dr. Danlami Hayyo, who disclosed this during the celebration of FCT students’ academic and sports accomplishments, held on Wednesday, upon completion this year, said the project will be commissioned by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. 

Hayyo, who represented the FCT Minister at the occasion, noted that the key facilities to be provided and installed in the school will include equipment for internet service, computers, digitalized white board and other ICT facilities.   

He said: “When you are talking about digital teaching and learning, definitely, you have to do away with papers, pencils, pens and the rest of them.  

“Presently, we are going to spend about 1.7 billion Naira on establishing the smart school in Karshi, and maybe this year, the Minister will commission it. 

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“Initially, some developed countries started to digitize teaching and learning, and they have invited us, so we have been there to see how teaching is taking place in digital form. 

“That’s why we are going to start with one school. The establishment of a smart school in Karshi, Abuja, will mark the beginning of smart (digital) schools in the city. From there we will learn a lot.

“And by the special grace of God almighty the necessary things will be provided and the school will be commissioned this year.”

On the celebration of FCT students who have excelled in various academic and sports activities within and out the Territory, the Secretary opined that it was first of its kind time, which the government intends to sustain, in order to motivate the students, and even the teachers.

He said: “There was donation of cows to students who have excelled in various academic and sport achievements, which is a very important issue. So, the Minister has the passion for education that’s why he accepted and approved to give out cows for us to celebrate with the students.

“And this will encourage the teachers to do more and improve their academic performance likewise the students”

The Highlight of the event was the presentation of outstanding students and display of the laurels they won while representing their respective schools in local and international academic and sports competitions in 2023.