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Tag: Malam Muhammad Bello

  • ‘Over N5 billion lost to public asset vandals, damages’

    …As FCTA moves to restore vandalized assets

     

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has lamented the huge burden posed by the vandalism of public assets and critical infrastructure, which it has estimated to run into billions of Naira.

    FCTA while decrying public amnesia towards public assets, which it said, emboldens the hoodlums, expressed readiness to leverage the very wide network of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the concerted action to stem the ugly trend.

    FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello revealed this in a paper he presented at a recent stakeholder conference on the Protection, Preservation and Community Ownership of Public Assets and Critical Infrastructure, organized by the National Orientation Agency.

    Bello who was represented at the occasion by the Director of Engineering, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Ahmad Hadi, lamented that preliminary assessment of losses put the cost of replacement of vandalized, stolen or damaged facilities in the four major roads of FCT alone at over N5 billion.

    This, he noted, is money which could have been spent on executing new infrastructure or providing utilities in new districts.

    These include; the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX) as well as the Circular Road among others.

    Concerned over the spate of sabotage and pillage therefore, Bello disclosed that FCT Administration has set up a Committee for the replacement, reconstruction and restoration of vandalized public assets and infrastructure in the Territory.

    The Committee, which is headed by the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, is also to ascertain the scope of the challenge and to proffer long-lasting solutions to stem the negative development.

    According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Cosmas Uzodinma, the minister said: “it is always saddening to witness incidents of pillage of major components of public infrastructure such as railway lines and cables, bridge railings, manhole covers and communication ducts to mention but a few. These hoodlums sometimes dig deep into the ground to unearth armoured cables and puncture water pipelines to irrigate their farms or set up car wash centres.”

    He disclosed that in the short run, security and surveillance have been beefed up around public assets and critical infrastructure in the FCT to apprehend and prosecute these hoodlums.

    In addition, the Administration is replacing some of these facilities with configurations that could not easily yield to hit and run theft among others.

    While appealing for to residents to support the Administration’s efforts to combat this scourge, the Minister stated that a more permanent solution to the problem both in FCT and in the country in general would include working to inculcate the spirit of community and people’s ownership of public assets and critical infrastructure in Nigerian citizens.

    His words, “This could be achieved through strategic partnership between relevant government agencies, the security and intelligent agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), traditional institutions, religious and community organizations to mention but a few.”

    In his keynote paper at the occasion, former Director-General of NOA, Chief Tonnie Iredia, stressed the need to take the people into confidence in the conception, planning and location of public assets and infrastructure.

    He noted that the bane of the fortunes of these infrastructures has more to do with the alienation of the communities where these facilities were located.

    He further noted that the people’s felt needs and priorities should always be taken into consideration in siting public assets and projects.

    Other speakers present were former Directors-General of NOA, Dr Idi Farouk, and Mr. Mike Omeri; all of whom stressed the need to strengthen the institutional framework of NOA as a major agency for the cultivation of attitudinal change among Nigerians.

    Welcoming guests to event, The Director-General, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, stated that the wide-spread nature of the incidence of vandalism of national assets like oil pipelines, railway tracks, electricity poles and components has made it necessary to assemble stakeholders in the search for solutions to the menace.

    He expressed optimism that the conference would come up with workable measures to stem the ugly trend.

  • FCTA, UNESCO graduate 400 ICT trainees

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello has urged graduated trainees of the recently concluded United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)/FCTA YouthMobile Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project in the FCT to use the skills they have acquired for nation building.

    The FCT Minister gave this charge in Abuja during the graduation ceremony for 400 participants of the UNESCO/FCTA YouthMobile project in the FCT drawn mainly from Abuja Municipal and Bwari Area Councils.

    Bello who was represented at the occasion by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Ohaa, said the next phase has been scheduled for Gwagwalada town and will involve 600 participants covering the southern axis of the FCT, namely; Kuje, Kwali, Abaji, and Gwagwalada Area Councils.

    He said the FCT Administration has committed over N96.7 Million by way of counterpart funding to match UNESCO’s support of N42Million.    ,

    The Minister while congratulating the participants urged them to justify the investment of both the global community and the home government towards the realisation of their full potentials by starting their own businesses where necessary.

    Bello said beneficiaries have been given skills required to excel, adding that government and the larger society expect them to translate these skills to increased productivity and employment.

    According to the Minister, “The importance of knowledge, they say, is not in having it, but in using it. Similarly, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” I therefore urge you all to leverage the skills you have acquired for self-actualization and for nation-building.   Let this serve as a clarion call for you all to live up to this dream and to brace up to the challenges of starting off your own businesses where necessary as well as being the torch-bearers of change.”

    Bello expressed appreciation to the UNESCO for the successful conclusion of the first segment of the YouthMobile Project. He said the knowledge gained would enable participants to contribute towards the building of inclusive knowledge-based society, by leveraging Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) skills.

    “I am glad to note the engagement of 15 beneficiaries from the first batch by SAP (a global leading software company) who served as facilitators at the 2017 Africa Code Week. Without doubt, the beneficiaries have been given skills required to excel and we expect it to translate to increased youth productivity and employment. Similarly, we hope it will also help in the promotion of peaceful co-existence amongst themselves and in our various communities,” the Minister stated.

    In his own remarks, the Director and Representative of UNESCO Regional Office in Abuja, Yao Ydo said the spirit of the education and cultural arm of the world body is to engage and partner with young women and men, in promoting peace, preventing violent extremism and engaging them meaningfully.

  • FCTA, Aviation ministry partner on airport, railway passenger convenience

    The FCT administration has concluded arrangements to ensure that air and railway passengers enjoy facilities at the terminals.

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello and his counterpart, the Minister of State, Aviation, Engr. Hadi Sirika made this disclosure while addressing the media after a joint inspection of the facilities today, Thursday, 08 March 2018. The FCT Minister used the occasion to conduct his aviation counterpart round the facilities.

    On his part, the Minister of State Aviation said, his Minister will work to ensure a temporary access for passengers arriving the airport or departing to the city upon arrival. This he said has become necessary in view of the need to meet up with the target required for the commencement of rail operation in a few weeks times. This, according to him, will resolve likely human and vehicular traffics in the airport.

    According to him, the temporary access will give time for officials of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the FCT Administration to work together to harmonise issues affecting the formal concourse that is designed to link up the airport and railway terminals.

    Engr. Hadi Sirika commended the FCT Administration for its dedication to completion of the facility saying the railway would greatly enhance the outlook of the city and give a modern transport facility to its residents. He underscored the immense benefits that the light rails will provide to both the airport passengers and residents.

    Also speaking at the occasion, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello expressed delight with the seriousness with which the Aviation Ministry is taking up the aspect of providing a concourse between the railway and the airport.  He added that the entire project has been in fulfillment of the commitment of the FCT Administration to completing critical ongoing infrastructure projects.

  • Minister to new boards: be creative

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has inaugurated the newly reconstituted boards of 12 agencies and parastatals under the FCT Administration, urging them to improve service delivery across the FCT public service system.

    The boards inaugurated are the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT IRS), Abuja Property Development Company (APDC), Abuja Environmental Protection Agency (AEPB), Abuja Investment and Infrastructure Centre (AIIC) and FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB).

    Others are the Abuja Investment Company Ltd. (AICL), FCT Secondary Education Board (FCT SEB), FCT Scholarship Board (FCTSB), FCT Primary Healthcare Development Board (FCT PHDB), Area Council Service Commission (ACSC) and Abuja Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

    Inaugurating the over 155 members of the boards of agencies and parastatals at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister charged them to come up with ingenious ideas that would generate revenue for government to continue to provide services and improve the living conditions of the FCT residents.

    The FCT Minister while welcoming the new board members on board the FCT Administration said they have been carefully chosen to bring their vast public service, corporate and business experiences to bear in the performance of their assignment.

    He called on FCT residents to support the newly reconstituted boards and make the necessary sacrifices in order to realize the vision of the founding fathers for a first class capital city comparable to the best in the world.

    Also speaking at the inauguration, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Ohaa, said the boards are coming on board to broaden the democratic space and provide the needed corporate leadership for most of these agencies and parastatals.

    His words, “ today indeed, marks a major turning point in the life of the present FCT Administration, as we witness the inauguration of these Boards. The occasion has a deeper significance for us as it is coming on the heels of the Administration’s commitment to focus on improving service delivery across the FCT public service system.  It is also designed to sustain growth as well as ensure good corporate governance and productivity in these organizations with anticipated multiplier effects in the economy.”

    Ohaa stated that the arrival of these experienced personalities would further strengthen the effort of the FCTA to fast-track the implementation of programmes and projects for the greater development of the territory.

    Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated members, the Chairman of Abuja Environmental Protection Board, Dr. Bawuro Yahaya thanked Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari and the FCT Administration for the opportunity of service given to members. He pledged that they would do their best to justify the confidence reposed in them.

     

  • Apo-Wasa road project takes off

    Pursuant to his pledge to implement projects that would improve the living conditions of FCT residents, especially the rural dwellers, the Minster of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has flagged off the construction of the Apo-Wasa dual carriageway.

    The road, which is part of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), would open up the Apo-Karshi Road, currently under construction, to the heart of the city.

    Addressing guests who gathered to witness the ceremony, the FCT Minister disclosed that the administration was considering other strategies for completing the other part of the expressway measuring 52km, ending at the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

    One of the strategies, Malam Bello revealed include a Public-Private-Partnership initiative with interested investors.

    On full scope development, this segment of OSEX would run through Wasa District and Kuje Town before ending up at Gwagwalada. It is hoped, that the road would open up this major part of the Territory for economic activities and estate development.

    To ensure speedy completion of the projects within a 12-month timespan, the two carriageways have been awarded to different construction companies namely M/S CGC, (Nig) Ltd – for Left-Hand-Side carriageway of 15km and Gilmor (Nig) Ltd – for Right-Hand-Side carriageway measuring 5km.  The contract sums for both roads are N6.17billion and N2.45billion respectively.

    The flag-off is symbolic of the next phase of the administration’s roadmap for infrastructural development and provision of social services in the satellite towns and rural communities as the Minister indicated recently while swearing-in the newly appointed Mandate Secretaries and political aides.

    The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) Engr. Umar Gambo Jibrin, noted that the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) is one of the Regional Road Networks provides for in the Abuja Masterplan and provide access to the City Centre from the Southern axis of the FCT. It covers 73km, and runs from the Villa Roundabout at its intersection with the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) right on to Abuja-Lokoja Road at Gwagwalada.

    Jibrin disclosed that the OSEX stretch defines areas designated for the land-swap scheme. The project would also fast-track the relocation of Apo Traders and mechanics as well as open up Takushara settlement, location for a national heritage site identified as the first historical iron smelting place in West Africa by the renowned British archaeologist, Prof. Thurston Shaw.

    It could be recalled that the FCT Minister, upon assumption of office undertook to speed up the completion of the Karshi-Apo road which was planned to terminate in Wasa. This was intended to provide an alternative route to the city for commuters from Karu, Jikwoyi, Karshi and other contiguous communities.

  • ‘Over N73b paid to FCT contractors’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has disclosed that over N73 billion has been paid to contractors handling various projects in Abuja.

    This, Bello said, includes 1508 indigenous contractors owed N100 million and below, with matured bills and for which provisions were made in the statutory budget.

    He disclosed this at a media briefing to mark his second year in office.

    Breaking down the expenses, the minister said: “The various payments made by the administration pursuant to our stated objectives testify to our commitment to bolster the FCT economy, create or save jobs and deliver on these projects. They include: Completed payments for the First Phase of the Railway Project to the tune of N17.04 Billion. We have paid the sum of N8.9b in the last quarter of 2016 and another N3.3b billion paid to over 503 other contractors with similar bills in the in the period under review.

    “From the fourth quarter of 2016 to the third quarter of 2017, the number of liabilities has come down. Pensioners’ outstanding arrears have been paid up-to-date with the release of N2.3 billion. This includes all forms of entitlements to retirees under the FCT Administration.

    “We have paid out the sum of N2.4 billion which form part of our obligation to on-going counterpart projects to JICA and other multilateral organisations.”

    On the health sector, the minister said the administration has remained alert to the threat of deceases like Monkey Pox, polio and other forms of epidemics.

    He said, “The administration has recorded the following milestones: Re-energized the drug revolving fund scheme with a total of N2.94 billion. Released over N350 Million towards the construction of the 220-bed Gwarimpa General Hospital almost abandoned some years back.

    “Commenced the operation of Karu General Hospital as well as the Zuba Cottage Hospital for skeletal services, by providing the needed staff and provisions of necessary furniture, drugs and dressings. Completion of 1.2MW solar power project in collaboration with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has reduced the cost of energy and introduced an e-payment system in FCT Water board to stem revenue leakages.

    “Major achievements recorded in the education sector include: Establishment of 5 new Secondary Schools in Kwali, Jikwoyi, and Abaji, and other areas. Combined, these schools are catering for the educational needs of 5000 students. We have also established several primary schools to cope with growth in FCT demography.

    “Completed hostel blocks at Abuja University of Technology, Abaji as well as construction of clinic, provision of external works, access road, borehole, ground and overhead water tanks there.   We have constructed 221 classrooms, 22 blocks of 4 compartments toilets, 7 Science/intro-tech laboratories, 3 boreholes, an administrative block, a library, and a volleyball court in various primary, junior and senior secondary schools in the FCT.

     

  • Restore Nyanya market now – Minister

    Restore Nyanya market now – Minister

    The Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, has ordered that the Nyanya Market illegally converted into residential accommodation be reversed to its original purpose.

    Bello gave the directives when the Ministerial Taskforce on Traffic Decongestion and Environmental Sanitation along the Nyanya – Karu – Karshi Road, led by its Chairman, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Nienge (rtd), briefed him on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He, however, frowned at the ugly development whereby structures in the Nyanya Market initially meant for market stalls were converted into residential buildings illegally.

    The minister stressed that this was mainly responsible for the spill-over of illegal squatter stalls on the Nyanya interchange, rendering the road almost impassable during peak hours.

    Bello expressed delight over report of the support and partnership of traders and stakeholders in the effort to restore sanity on the road.

    The minister commended the task force for the achievements, especially the reduction of gridlock on the road, the improvement on sanitation, drop in crime and almost zero records of death by accident on the road.

    He called on the traditional rulers, community leaders and traders’ union to sustain the positive partnership.

    The minister urged the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), and the Satellite Town Development Department (STDD), to ensure that the road does not return to its dark days of gridlock and filth.

    Bello, who extends the tenure of the task force by another three months, charged the AMMC, STDD and AMAC to work together with the task force and other relevant security agencies in the FCT to enforce the directive.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the task force, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Nienge (rtd), recalled that the task force had swung into action immediately it was inaugurated with series of sensitisation efforts in the media and through community leaders.

    “This was to enlighten the people as to their responsibilities and to solicit their cooperation,’’ he said.

    Nienge expressed delight with the level of support and cooperation the task received from the traders and residents, who he noted, showed their satisfaction with the human face of the task force.

    Some residents in the area observed that the presence of the task force operatives had also led to a large extent reduction in the incidences of crime in the area.

  • Minister woos light rail investors

    The Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, has invited investors to take advantage of the huge business opportunities that the completion of the FCT Light Rails Mass Transit System would bring.

    Bello revealed that the entire rail transit corridor offers an array of business opportunities for restaurants, parking lots and shopping malls, among others.

    The FCT Minister extended the  invitation while answering questions from newsmen on the development in his office.

    According to him, the large swathe of space on the rail line corridors contains 12 stations, including the central metro station near the World Trade Centre in the Central Business District. He hoped that the network would substantially increase economic activities in the FCT.

    On why there has not been land allocation since he took office, the FCT helmsman lamented the abuse of the land processes in the past resulting in large incidences of land use mismatch. He reiterated that almost all the phases within the federal capital city have been allocated except for Phase 5.

    According to him, “FCT Administration needs over N80billion to provide infrastructure in the already allocated districts. We are grappling with a situation where plots were allocated in a manner that outstripped the capacity of the Administration to provide infrastructure.

    “Most beneficiaries commenced development under the pressure for accommodation and today we have houses built on spaces earmarked for roads, natural water ways, public utility lines and so on.”

    He said land is finite, saying that a time will come when land will be exhausted. He appealed to the FCT public to avoid the bubble of land activities and businesses which usually results in needless speculations and scam.

    Malam Bello said that time has come for people to patronise secondary channels like mortgages and other similar sources. He exhorted Nigerians to be patient with the Administration saying development is a process and a not switch. Abuja, he reminded, is a consciously planned and executed city in tandem with a master-plan.

  • ‘Prioritise security, shun corruption’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has urged newly-appointed secretaries, chief of staff and other aides to give priority to security and shun corruption.

    Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of the appointees, Bello harped noted on the need for security of life and property, as well as ensuring that government is alive to its responsibilities.

    He charged the appointees to get fully acquainted with the direction and priorities of the administration and to familiarise themselves with basic public service rules and government procurement guidelines.

    Malam Bello last week appointed Adamu Abubakar Bappah secretary for Area Council Services Secretariat; Hon. Nzekwe Stanley Ifeanyichukwu (Agriculture and Rural Development); Senator Isa Maina (Education), and Mr Amanda Pam (Health and Human Services).

    Other Secretaries are Mr Muhammad B. Umar (Legal Services); Oladimeji Ali Hassan (Social Development), and Kayode Opeifa (Transportation Secretariat).

    Also appointed were Umar Shuaibu, coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC); Isiyaku Tanko Yamawo, coordinator, Satellite Town Development Department (STDD); Ibrahim Damisa, Managing Director, Abuja Broadcasting Services.

    Mohammad Bashir Mai-Bornu was appointed Chief of Staff to the Minister; Dr. Bala Mohammed Liman, Senior Special Assistant on Finance and Economic Matters; Olafusi Emmanuel Tosin Esq., Senior Special Assistant, Legal and Multi-lateral Cooperation; and Abubakar Muhammed Abdullahi, Senior Special Assistant, Information Communication Technology.

    In the same vein, Isa Dara Bwari, Chika Alexander Nwatu and Abu Zarr Sulaiman Ribadu were appointed Advisers on Community Relations.

    The minister disclosed that the next two years of the administration

    would witness massive infrastructural development in the satellite towns and rural areas of FCT, while education, health and ICT would equally be given priorities in this phase of development.

    “Similarly, we are committed to making Abuja Smart City,” he said.

    “We also aim to achieve a one-stop shopping centre for the administration’s services, especially in the area of revenue generation.

    “As you take over the reins of office, you must keep in mind the commitment of this Administration to deliver a secure environment and observe zero-tolerance to corruption. This also involves the overriding need for security of lives and property as well as ensuring that government ia alive to its responsibilities.

    “The next two years will witness massive infrastructure in the Satellite Towns and rural areas of the FCT. Other areas of priority in this phase of our development initiative include education, health and ICT, among others. Similarly, we are committed to making Abuja a Smart City”.

    Commended Abuja’s founding fathers and continued support of members of the National Assembly, Bello noted that funding was critical, especially for resettlement of original inhabitants to give way for development.

    Coming barely two years to the end of the administration, the Minister explained that it was in a bid to restructure, refocus and strengthen the FCTA bureaucracy that he delayed appointment of the secretaries, chief of staff and political aides.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Sen. Dino Melaye, in his remarks appreciated the Minister for the “very wise appointments”, adding that the appointees would “no doubt bring back the lost glory of the FCT”.

    Pledging the support of the National Assembly, Melaye urged new appointees to “assist the Minister to continue with the good work he is already doing, to ensure the Abuja Master plan is maintained.

    “We want to see the impact of your appointment immediately. We want to see a clean FCT because we have no other FCT to call our own.”

    Responding on behalf of the appointee, Chief of Staff to the Minister, Mohammed Bashir Mai-Bornu said that they considered their appointments as opportunity to serve Nigerians.

    Noting that they were aware of the enormity of the expectations form the people, Mai-Bornu promised to work hard to actualize the vision of the Buhari administration.

  • Southeast crisis: Minister guarantees security in FCT

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has appealed to FCT residents to go about their business without any fear of molestation.

    Bello assured that the FCT administration has taken every measure to ensure the security of life and property in Abuja.

    He gave the assurance in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Cosmas Uzodinma after an emergency meeting of the FCT Security Committee which took place in his official residence.

    The minister said, “The purpose of the meeting was to review the situation in the Southeast and its implication for the residents of the FCT as a Centre of Unity. We are properly briefed, and the whole idea is to ensure that FCT remains as peaceful as it has always been.  We also occasionally receive updates on the situation of law and order in all the Area Councils and satellite towns. From all the reports we received FCT is peaceful.

    “It is very clear that from what we read from the social media and some other electronic media, there are some people out there who clearly want to create trouble in this country. Obviously, government would not allow this to happen and certainly, in the FCT, we would not allow that to happen. That is why I am calling on all residents to ignore any negative report they read on the social media platforms that tend towards disunity, disaffection and targeted clearly towards trying to create trouble.”

    Bello further said: “In the FCT, all the ethnic groups, religions and creeds are fully represented and live harmoniously. The laws of the land are very clear and anyone trying to foment trouble would be dealt with according to law. To this effect all the security agencies have been placed on heightened alert.”

    He appealed to all FCT residents, especially those from the South East to live peacefully, to carry on with their lawful businesses without any fear and to discountenance the antics of some people out there who clearly want to create trouble.”

    He stressed, “The Administration will not shirk it responsibility for the protection of lives and property in the FCT” while enjoining all the traditional rulers and chairmen to take the outcome of the deliberations to the Area Councils and grassroots communities. He also harped on the necessity for all residents to be alert to the happenings around the neighborhood as security is a collective responsibility.

    He thanked residents of the FCT for their peaceful and calm nature urging them to continue to remain law abiding.

    The new FCT Commissioner of Police, Malam Abubakar Sadiq Bello announced that security agencies have put in place measures to collaborate and work together to ensure peace and order as well as the exchange of intelligence in the Territory.

    He said this had already with the show of force conducted on Friday.

    Similarly, he disclosed that arrangement is in place for both visibility policing and intelligence gathering and sharing with other sister agencies. “We are well prepared to stop any threat,” He assured.

    In a message to Christians at the end of the meeting, the FCT Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson enjoined all Pastors and believers to preach and pursue peace and to ensure that we encourage people to live together in harmony.

    He charged all Christians to stay away from trouble and to pray for our nation, so that it would be a better place especially as we approach the independence anniversary celebration, adding that love is paramount.