The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Malam Muhammad Bello

  • FCT Minister solicits investments in waste management, Abuja rail

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has called for Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in waste management in the territory.

    Bello made the call when he received a delegation of non-career Nigeria Ambassadors-designate who visited him in Abuja on Thursday.

    According to him, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), provides one of the best economic opportunities for big businesses and the waste management sub-sector has enormous potential to be harnessed.

    The minister advised the ambassadors-designate to always promote and project the various investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially the huge business prospects in waste management in the FCT, to their host countries.

    Bello said the presence of good infrastructure as well as the relative peace and security in the territory combined with its massive population, will surely make Abuja a preferred destination for investors to do business and reap huge benefits.

    “One area that we want you to consider as you discuss Abuja with your host nations is the waste management.

    “For those of you that are in Europe, we understand there is a lot of funding for green projects of such nature; these are areas that we are very much interested in.

    “Apart from its huge population and location advantages, the territory is well connected to Europe, West, East and South African countries through a number of air carriers that fly in and out of Abuja daily”, he said.

    The minister said although Lots 3 and 1A of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit were well funded by the Chinese EXIM Bank, opportunities still existed in the Lots 2, 4, 5and 6 of the ongoing rail system projects.

    “We have what we call the Abuja Rail Mass Transit System which is under construction on the basis of six Lots.

    “Already, Lots 1A and 3 are being funded by the Chinese EXIM Bank and hopefully that would be completed by the first quarter of 2018.

    “But there is opportunity for investment in Lots 2, 4, 5 and 6. So, these are some of the areas that when you get fully settled, we may be able to communicate with you on some of these issues”, he said.

    Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, leader of the delegation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the visit was to introduce the ambassadors-designate to the minister.

    He said the visit was also to find out some of the economic and investment potential and opportunities in the FCT.

    Enikanolaiye said FCT Administration could furnish the new envoys with necessary information on government’s priority projects, particularly those in the FCT, to enable them to promote such projects.

  • FCT Minister tasks Presidential Electoral Reform Committee on use of ICT

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has called on the Presidential Committee on Constitution and Electoral Reform (PCCER),  has called on the Presidential Committee on Constitution and Electoral Reform (PCCER), to strengthen the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in future elections.

    Bello made the call when he received members of the PCCER led by its Chairman, Sen. Ken Nnamani, on Thursday in Abuja.
    According to him, the credibility of the 2015 general election has enhanced the image of Nigeria to the outside World; therefore, it should be improved upon.
    “The election was largely made credible, because of the use of biometrics and card readers by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    “I am urging the committee to look into strengthening the use of ICT in all subsequent elections in order to sustain the achievements.
    “The use of card readers in elections in Nigeria is a revolution that should be sustained, as it would go a long way in reducing the number of litigation after elections,’’ he said.
    According to him, Nigeria is ripe and Nigerians are now well-educated and enlightened in the use of ICT in elections.
    “This is considering how the populace made use of mobile telephone in addition to internet data mostly for news media (social media),’’ he said.
    The minister assured members that the FCT Administration will support the committee in its work to ensure that subsequent electoral processes were fair and credible.
    Bello lauded the contributions of Sen. Ken Nnamani to the country when he was the Senate President, saying that history will remember him for his role in ensuring the sustenance of democracy.
    Speaking earlier, the PCCER Chairman, Nnamani commended the minister for his effort in completing abandoned projects across the 8,000 square kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory.
    He said that the committee was in the FCT to hold a national public hearing to collate more information from the residents before turning out an all-inclusive report to the government.
    “In addition to this, the committee will also bring up relevant bills for enactment by the National Assembly,’’ he said

  • FCT Minister: Give education priority

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello, has underscored the need to give the education sector priority and to harness all energies to develop it.

    Bello said this at the closing ceremony of the 2nd Level Workshop for Teachers of the proposed Nigeria-Korea Model School, Abuja, on Thursday.

    Represented by Dr Adamu Noma, the Director, FCT UBEC Board, Bello noted that education is the best legacy the present administration could leave for the next generation of Nigerian leaders.

    “Our present economic challenges have shown very clearly that natural resources are subject to all kinds of variables that are sometimes beyond our control.

    “Human resources on the other hand, does not diminish. We, therefore, must refocus our energies to developing this vital sector.’’

    Bello said that the FCT administration was working hard to ensure that all education systems in the territory operate on the same page of innovation, creativity and discipline.

    He noted that the workshop for teachers of the proposed school was of the highest standard both in Nigeria and in South Korea.

    The minister urged the education secretariat to harness the knowledge garnered to improve teachers who were not privileged to participate in the training.

    “You can organise a series of train-the-trainers programmes to ensure that as many teachers as possible benefit from what you are learning from this series of workshops.’’

    He urged the teachers and education administrators to remain committed to their calling as teachers.

    “Nothing can be more rewarding and fulfilling than the Knowledge that you are indeed the building blocks of our nation’s future.’’

    Bello pledged the continued support of the FCT administration to the completion of the school and thanked the people and government of the Republic of Korea for the project.

    In her address of welcome, Mrs Rosemary Umana, the Director, Department of Science and Technology, Education Secretariat, FCT, said the secretariat was fully committed to the completion of the project.

    Umana pledged that the secretariat would make the best use of the opportunities the establishment of the school in the FCT would provide.

    She thanked the six professors from Korea, who were resource persons, and said she hoped they would return home with fond memories of Nigeria, especially the FCT.

    In his remark, Mr David Gyaube, the Head Teacher, Primary Section of the proposed school, said that he and all the teachers had learnt so much from the training and were going to practicalise them.

    “We are going to begin to practicalise what we have learnt in our present schools so that our colleagues will be in tune with more developed ways of teaching.’’

    Gyaube urged the FCT administration to give full priority to the completion of the school as it was designed to serve as a model school to others in the country.

    The 10-day workshop organised by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), had 72 teachers and six school administrators in attendance.

    KOICA, a government-owned agency responsible for grants and technical programmes for development partners, started operations in Nigeria in 2008 at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.

    The construction of the Nigerian–Korean Model School estimated to cost 15 million dollars and located on Abuja Airport Road, is ongoing.

    Awards and gifts were presented to the top three outstanding teachers both in the primary and secondary school categories.

     

  • UN house soon to be ready – Minister

    UN house soon to be ready – Minister

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello said on Thursday that the first phase of renovation work on the United Nations House in Abuja has since been completed.

    A statement signed by the Minister’s Chief Press Secretary, Hazat Sule in Abuja, noted that the minister stated this when the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon visited him.

    According to the minister, the second phase comprising of security equipment and furnishing is being fast-tracked to enable its agencies to move back into the building.

    Bello was quoted to have said that the government would do everything possible to complete the remaining phase of the renovation work and deliver it to the end users as soon as possible.

    He assured that the FCT Administration will strengthen its relationship with the UN Agencies and will continue to support them to achieve their mandate in the country.

    The minister noted that the FCTA had made efforts to complete abandoned projects in the capital city and intends to carry development to the Satellite Towns and Area Councils to reduce pressure on the city centre.

    Speaking earlier, the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr Edward Kallon, who is a Sierra Leonean, promised to connect the FCTA with global development partners.

    He said that the UNDP would also work to promote ICT development in the FCT to assist in making Abuja a smart city for youth development.

    NAN recalls that the FCT minister, during an unscheduled visit to the site recently directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to hasten the complete rehabilitation of the House to ensure quick handover.

  • Reps want immediate review of FCT master plan

    Reps want immediate review of FCT master plan

    The House of Representatives on Thursday urged the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, to commence the review of Abuja master plan to reflect the current social, economic and demographic realities.

    The House also urged the Minister to direct the FCT Development Control to stop the demolition of small and medium businesses within the capital city, pending the outcome of engagement with the House Committee on FCT.

    The resolutions followed the unanimous adoption of a motion under matters of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Nnenna Ukeje (Abia- PDP).

    Moving the motion, Ukeje said UN report stated that between 2000 and 2010, Abuja experienced 139.7 per cent growth, making it the fastest growing city in the world at a population of three million people.

    According to her, further annual growth of 35 per cent due in part to urban drift, migration due to insecurity, economic and social migration has left the population of Abuja hovering at about 6.5 million people, projected to hit 10 million in 2018.

    She said “there have been repeated calls for review of the Abuja master plan as stipulated, to reflect present day realities as the present situation has ambushed the city’s dream.

    “Certain deviations to the original plan such as NNPC plaza, military barracks, Shehu Musa Yar’adua Centre, Asokoro express way, drainage infractions in Apo area have significantly altered the Abuja master plan.

    “These remain unchecked as they have been explained to be expedient at the time.

    “We watch with dismay as small and medium businesses become focus of demolition exercise,’’ Ukeje said.

    She expressed concern that figures released this week by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the country was moving from recession to depression following consecutive quarters of negative growth.

    The lawmaker said that the Federal Government needed to create 30 million jobs to cater for the teeming population.

    The House then mandated its Committee on FCT to engage the Minister of FCT and relevant agencies of the ministry and report back to it
    in two weeks.

     

  • 10 kidnapped persons rescued in Abuja

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, said 10 persons kidnapped in Kuje Area Council of Abuja had been rescued by security agents.

    Bello said this at a news conference on the successful rescue mission in Abuja on Monday.

    He said the rescue team consisted of 250 personnel of ‎Army, Police, Command Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Department of State Security Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    “They routed the kidnappers and destroyed their camps.’’

    He said the notorious gang of hoodlums specialised in robbing and kidnapping innocent residents in that area.

    The minister said that the seven males and three females rescued had been handed over to the Gomo of Kuje for immediate rehabilitation.

    He, however, said that an officer of the NSCDC, ASC1 Anumudu Uchewho, took ill during the operation and died.

    “Uchewho death will not be in vain as he lost his life in the line of duty to save the lives of ten other residents of the territory.

    “All the bandits’ structures have been dismantled and security agencies have strengthened surveillance mechanism as not to allow such miscreants operate within the 8,000 square kilometres of the FCT’, he said.

    Commissioner of Police in Abuja, Mohammed Mustapha assured all residents in the affected villages that the p0lice had commenced massive deployment to forestall any future occurrence.

    Mustapha assured that the security agents were making concerted efforts to arrest the dislodged hoodlums; adding that nothing would be left unturned to get them to face the consequences of their criminal actions.

    It will be recalled that Darka village in Kuje Area Council was attacked in the early hours of Sunday, Nov. 13 leaving a 28-year old man, Zakariyya Nuhu dead, one injured and six kidnapped.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that neighboring Huni-Gade was also attacked on Nov. 17 where four persons were kidnapped.

     

  • FCT Minister calls for speedy resolution of land disputes

    FCT Minister calls for speedy resolution of land disputes

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has urged legal practitioners and stakeholders to consider alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in resolving the numerous land cases pending in FCT courts.

    The statement signed by Mr Hamzat Sule, the Chief Press Secretary to the minister, said that Bello made the call when officials of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Chapter, led by its Chairman, Mr Ezenwa Anumnu, paid him a visit in Abuja.

    Bello noted that protracted land disputes gave a negative perception of Nigeria among the international community as a very difficult place to do business,

    He said that some land cases could have been settled, if there had been adequate discussions for out of court settlement.

    “Some of the cases that are pending in courts are cases that could really be sorted out just by discussions.

    “That is why we have to encourage alternative dispute resolution mechanisms for these issues to be settled out of court.’’

    The minister gave an assurance that institutions within the FCT Administration would be strengthened to take care of noticeable lapses and promote due process in handling all land-related matters.

    He said that the focus of the FCT Administration included making the process of doing business much easier in order to move Nigeria’s level on the World Bank Business Index.

    “We want to move by at least 20 points from where we are now and we realized that land-related transactions constitute a very important measure of how systems are judged.

    “This is whether they are efficient and user friendly or not.”

    Bello congratulated the NBA for the successful conduct of its national elections as well as the unique introduction of e-voting, saying that the NBA had always been in the forefront of bringing change in the country.

    “We have many of your members within the various departments of the FCT Administration and for those that I have been able to have close contacts with, I have found them to be very professional.

    “And above all, very conscious of what society expects of them as lawyers,” he emphasised.

    Earlier, Anumnu said the bar was happy with the laudable strides the FCT Administration was making in terms of cleanliness and other progressive developments within the territory.

    “We are in touch with the common people in FCT and I can assure you that the responses are positive and encouraging,” he said.

  • Boko Haram: Minister orders speedy completion of UN house

    Boko Haram: Minister orders speedy completion of UN house

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, has directed the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to hasten the rehabilitation of the United Nations House for quick handover.

    Bello gave the directive Thursday when he paid an unscheduled visit to the House in the Central Business District, Abuja to ascertain the level of completion.

    The Minister said that the completion would allow the UN Agencies presently staying at different locations in the FCT to return to base, thereby making their operation more efficient.

    It would be recalled that the UN House was bombed on 26th August, 2012 by Boko Haram terrorists and the Nigerian government awarded contract for its rehabilitation on the 27th December, 2012 and the project is 80 per cent complete as at today.

    Bello stressed that the authorities of the FCDA should sit down with the contractors, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and the UN Resident Co-ordinator in Nigeria to resolve all grey areas that would lead to the completion and early handover.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director / Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister said:  “It is all our duty to see that all the United Agencies staying around Abuja are back here. And I think it will send a strong signal to those that bombed this place. Whatever they do to us, we will continue to be strong.”

    He used the opportunity to thank the UN for the support it has been giving to Nigeria; stating that such humanitarian gesture would always be appreciated.

    Taking the Minister round the site, the UN Resident Co-ordinator who is also UNICEF Country Representative, Jean Gough thanked the Minister for the special attention he has been giving to the rehabilitation works.

    The FCDA Executive Secretary, Engr. Adamu Ismaila and some officials of the FCT Administration accompanied the Minister on the unscheduled visit.

  • Abuja security is paramount to us – Minister

    Abuja security is paramount to us – Minister

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has given assurance that the FCT Administration will continue to support the security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory in order to effectively discharge their duties.

    Bello said this while receiving the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ekwe Ibas, who paid him a working visit on Monday in Abuja.

    Bello said that everything should be done to protect lives and property, adding that the security of Abuja is paramount to the FCT Administration.

    He stressed that Abuja, being the seat of government of Nigeria and the “window’’ through which the world viewed Nigeria, needed to be well secured.

    He said that no effort should spare to ensure adequate security of lives and property of both residents and visitors to the FCT.

    Bello emphasized that security agents were stakeholders in the Abuja project; stressing that the FCT Administration would continue to collaborate with them in this onerous task.

    The minister noted that his administration would partner with the Nigerian Navy to play its part to further secure the territory.

    “Although, the territory is not bounded by international waters which is the primary responsibility of the Nigerian Navy, still the, Navy has a role to play.

    “The presence of the Navy in Abuja which is the seat of power calls for closer collaboration between the FCT Administration and the Navy.”

    He urged the Nigerian Navy to liaise with other security agencies to make Abuja safer.

    He said this could be done by way of intelligence sharing, to nip in the bud any security breach.

    He said that the administration was working on modalities to ease the processes by which people could easily develop their plots.

    Bello said that the administration would make the entire process easier to forestall challenges that hindered smooth development for private, public and commercial plots.

    Earlier, the Chief of Naval Staff, requested the FCTA to assist the Navy perfect documentation, particularly title documents on its landed property in order to attract and partner with private developers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, Executive Secretary of FCDA and other top management staff of the FCTA attended the meeting.