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Tag: FCT

  • Minister inaugurates integrated medical outreach for women in FCT

    Minister inaugurates integrated medical outreach for women in FCT

    The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, on Sunday in Abuja inaugurated an Integrated Medical Outreach, in Karshi to be conducted across all the 62 political wards in the territory.

    Newsmen reports that the free medical outreach powered by Nigerians Unite for Tinubu/Shettima Mandate was targeted at the vulnerables in the hard-to-reach communities.

    The minister stated that the gesture was to provide to the indigent residents, particularly women and children, good quality, high impact Primary Health Care (PHC) services including immunisation and nutrition.

    Aliyu said that the routine immunisation coverage and PHC services uptake across the area councils had been sub-optimal, partly due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that had further weakened the health system.

    She said: “Access to basic healthcare services has been poor due to the presence of hard-to-reach communities, coupled with the rising cases of insecurity and sub-optimal performance of the public health system.

    ” In this line, the inauguration of the medical outreach for the integration of PHC service delivery and Immunisation in a mobile /outreach strategy is crucial.

    “It is expected to, among others, strengthen immunisation and PHC service outputs through integration, particularly in the underserved, low performing wards of the FCT.”

    She, however, affirmed that the medical outreach would serve as an avenue for the FCTA to provide the most needed interventions to community members.

    Aliyu further said that they include health education and promotion of treatment of common illnesses; vaccination of under-five children and pregnant women.

    She also said that the outreach would facilitate the distribution of long-lasting treated nets and family planning commodities and screening for non-communicable diseases.

    They include; hypertension, diabetes, routine eye screening and screening for malnutrition; as well as linkages/referral services; among others.

    Aliyu assured that the FCT Administration would continue to support all programmes and activities geared towards improving the quality of lives and health outcomes of all residents of the Territory particularly women and children.

    She said, “our relevant Secretariats, Departments and Agencies had been re-positioned and given necessary supports to perform for better results.

    “Working with Development Partners, access would be sustained to the underserved communities with optimal services uptake and utilisation through the activities of community managerial system for PHC in FCT.”

    The minister appealed to religious and traditional leaders, stakeholders and other well-meaning Nigerians in the FCT to continue to support the Administration to provide better services.

    In his remarks, the acting Executive Secretary, FCT PHC Board, Dr Isah Vatsa, lauded the group for the partnership with the Administration in providing quality healthcare services.

    He said that the outreach would cover immunisation, consultation by medical personnel in three points, and laboratory screening for diabetes and malaria.

    Other services include; provision of free drugs, eye screening with free glasses for those that need them, blood pressure screening, weight and temperature check.

  • UPDATE: 22 rescued, 2 dead in Abuja building collapse

    UPDATE: 22 rescued, 2 dead in Abuja building collapse

    The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says no fewer than 22 persons have so far been rescued in the ongoing efforts to evacuate those trapped in a building which collapsed in Gwarinpa, Abuja.

    The agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Nkechi Isa, made the disclosure in a statement, Thursday in Abuja.

    Mrs Isa also revealed that two persons trapped in the building collapse had died.

    She said a combined team of FEMA, NEMA, FRSC, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the department of Development Control, Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency, and Red Cross were at the scene to rescue the remaining people trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building.

    She said that some construction companies with heavy duty equipment were also part of the rescue efforts.

    “No fewer than 22 persons have so far been rescued, two are confirmed dead. The victims have been taken to Wuse, Gwarimpa, Asokoro district hospitals and the Federal medical center. The search for survivors is ongoing.

    “The two-storey building with a basement collapsed this morning trapping an unidentified number of workers,” she said.

  • BREAKING: Rescue efforts ongoing as building collapses in Abuja

    BREAKING: Rescue efforts ongoing as building collapses in Abuja

    Four people have been rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building on Thursday in Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja.

    Mr Kenneth Chigelu, Head, Public Relations, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    According to him, the structure, a  commercial building belonging to a private developer, is situated along 6th Avenue.

    “As at the time of collapse, the building was a frame structure with columns, suspended slabs in place, and some block works.

    “Preliminary findings revealed that an approval for two floors was granted to the developer who decided to add an extra floor to the structure.

    “Rescue efforts are currently going on to save lives, with responses from all relevant agencies. A total of four people have been rescued from the rubble at the time of this release,” Chigelu said.

    The FHA spokesperson said ongoing investigations would reveal immediate and remote causes of the collapse.

    The Gwarimpa Estate is a developed district, situated in Phase 3, in the capital city of Nigeria, Abuja. It is the largest single housing estate in Nigeria and in West Africa.

    The mega housing estate consists of some of the most elegant architectural designs with good network of roads and expensive houses.

  • FCT: Kuje Council Chair absolves self from teachers’ strike

    FCT: Kuje Council Chair absolves self from teachers’ strike

    The Chairman of Kuje Area Council, FCT, Mr Abdullahi Sabo, has said that the ongoing primary school teachers strike of the Local Education Authority (LEA) in the area was not his making.

    Sabo, said this on Wednesday in Kuje, in his reaction to the ongoing strike by the teachers, and added that education had always been a top priority of his administration.

    He explained that there were lots of abnormalities during the employment of some teachers by the previous administration in 2018, which he attributed to the ongoing teachers strike.

    Newsmen recalled that the teachers, last Monday embarked on an indefinite strike action over the alleged failure by the Council’s Chairman to meet some demands with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the area.

    However, sabo said that aside the huge liabilities he came and met on ground, the previous administration also employed unqualified teachers without cash backing.

    According to him, vacancies declared for recruitment of primary school teachers was only 90, but the previous administration ended up employing over 1,000 teachers without any budgetary provisions.

    He gave assurance that the council was putting in place necessary machineries to address abnormalities in the recruitment of some teachers by the previous administration so that they would get their entitlements and arrears.

    “You can imagine employing a primary school leaver and somebody employed with a junior WEAC as staff of the Local Education Authority (LEA) in Kuje.

    “I am assuring you that we are putting in place measures to address the ongoing teachers strike by God’s Grace.
    “We will ensure that abnormalities are addressed for the betterment of our children’s education in Kuje.
    “These are things we want to check, correct and put in perspective,” he said.

    Meanwhile the Teachers’ Union Chairman, Mr Lucky Audu listed the demands of the union to include the payment of salaries for 2018 recruited teachers whose salaries were abruptly stopped by the council chairman in September 2022.

    ”Submission of the agreed template of payment of LEA teacher’s arrears to the JAAC Secretariat and continuation of the payment to concerned teachers.

    ”Payment of salary to 2022 reabsorbed teachers, who have been working through January to December 2022 without salary.”

  • NUT Strike: Parents beg union, council on speedy resolution

    NUT Strike: Parents beg union, council on speedy resolution

    Some parents in Kuje Area Council of FCT have called on the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Kuje Area Council to reach a workable resolution to enable primary school pupils resume classes in the area.

    The parents, who made the call in separate interviews in Kuje, said the strike was having a negative impact on the pupils and appealed for speedy resolution.

    Recall that the primary school teachers in Kuje had on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike over failure by the area council to meet some demands of the union.

    The union through its Chairman, Mr Audu Lucky, had listed the demands as: the non-payment of salaries to 2018 recruited teachers whose salaries were abruptly stopped by the council chairman in September 2022.

    ”Submission of the agreed template of payment of LEA teacher’s arrears to the JAAC Secretariat and continuation of the payment to concerned teachers.

    ”Payment of salary to 2022 reabsorbed teachers, who have been working through January to December 2022 without salary.”

    However, Mrs Sarah Luka, a parent at Chukuku community, called on both the union and the council chairman to convene and proffer adequate solution and help resolve the lingering teachers strike.

    “Our children in public primary schools are losing their most active and creative time, while children in other Area Councils have resumed school.

    “We make this call in the overriding interest of our children, but more particularly for the huge number of pupils in public schools in Kuje,” she said.

    Another parent at Paseli area, Mr Emmanuel Zaki, said: “Sadly, the children of wealthy people attend private schools or study abroad; they do not feel the distress and torment of the ordinary parents.

    “We also want to call for a law mandating State actors and their nuclear families to attend only public schools while in office.”

    Also, Mr Silas Lagi, a parent at Pegi area, feared that the strike would make children to shift focus to other things that they did not budget for.

    “My only pain is that the people in government are not feeling it because their own children are not in public schools but in private schools,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the statetement affirmed that the union had directed all primary school teachers to stay away from their duty posts while parents are advised to keep their children and wards safe at home.

    The Kuje Area Council is yet to react to the development, but it was gathered that the council would meet with the NUT leadership today (Jan. 13).

  • Doctors set to shut hospitals over colleague’s murder

    Doctors set to shut hospitals over colleague’s murder

    The Nigerian Medical Association, South-South Zone, has warned that it will shut down all hospitals in Delta State to protest against the murder of one of its members, Dr. Uyi Iluobe.

    Late Dr. Iluobe was killed by gunmen who attacked his hospital, Olive Clinic, at Oghareki, in the Ethiope West Local Government Area on New Year’s Eve.

    The Chairman, NMA Edo State branch/South-South caucus, Dr Udoka Imoisili, and Secretary, NMA Edo State Branch/South-South Caucus/ZEC, Dr Collins Otoikhila, in a statement on Tuesday, threatened to commence a one-week shutdown of hospitals in the state.

    The statement read in part, “While we mourn the unfortunate murder of our colleague, we wish to assure all our members in the South-South zone that we shall pursue this case to its logical conclusion. We will not spare anything to ensure that Dr. Uyi lluobe and his family get justice.

    “While the South-South caucus/zone in conjunction with the Delta State branch of NMA is working hard to unravel the circumstances behind this unwarranted murder of a dutiful medical doctor, the zone strongly condemns this dastardly act and in the interim, resolves as follows:

    “That the relevant security agencies step up their efforts to arrest the perpetrators of this heinous crime within five days, after which the South-South caucus may not be able to guarantee the rendering of normal medical services in the entire South-South zone.

    “That members of all NMA state branches in the South-South zone should henceforth put on black armbands throughout this week to mourn our colleague.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is a professional association and registered for Nigerian doctors and dentists.

    NMA has more than 35,000 members from 36 state branches and the branch from the federal capital territory, including those registered in the diaspora.

    NMA’s membership spans all six major specialties of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Public Health and Laboratory Medicine/Pathology.

    The NMA was established in 1951 and is located in Abuja with over 30 branch offices throughout Nigeria.

  • Why I retained Mohammed Bello as FCT Minister – Buhari

    Why I retained Mohammed Bello as FCT Minister – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Mohammed Bello for exhibiting the virtues of transparency, honesty and integrity while managing the affairs of the FCT.

    The president made his feelings known when he received leadership of the FCT and representatives of the FCT Community, who paid him Christmas homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Sunday.

    According to the Nigerian leader, he deliberately appointed Bello as FCT minister, and refused to deploy him because of his good character.

    He said Bello had proven to be better manager of both financial and human resources.

    The president was reacting to an earlier testimony by Sen. Smart Adeyemi, Chairman Senate Committee on FCT, who described the FCT Minister as the most transparent and honest Minister in the history of the FCT.

    President Buhari said he was not surprised to hear such comments on the FCT Minister, thanking Bello for not disappointing him.

    He said: “The Minister has restored sanity into allocation of plots in the FCT. People were used to selling allocated plots instead of developing them as stipulated by the FCT laws.

    ”Others also apply for land only for them to resale and get quick money for marrying additional wives.”

    On the Christmas homage, the president appreciated Nigerians for trusting and giving him the opportunity to serve as their leader.

    He told the delegation, led by the  FCT Minister that while campaigning for President in 2003, he took his time to visit the 774 Local Government Areas of the country and he got overwhelming support from the people.

    According to him, when he leaves office in May; he will retire to his hometown in Daura, Katsina State, to rest from the rigours of the exalted office.

    “Thank you very much for taking your time to come and visit me and I congratulate you for this great day (Christmas).

    ”I have promised a lot of my colleagues that I will try to be as far away as possible from Abuja when I leave office, so that nobody can create any problem for me anymore.

    “I will be in Daura, which is on the border with Niger Republic and I think in spite of technology, I will be safe enough there.”

    The president reiterated that he would not stay in office a day longer than the stipulated time for his tenure of office.

    “So, In five months’ time, I will happily retire according to the provisions of the constitution of the country and go back home,” he added.

    The leader of the delegation and FCT minister had earlier told the president that the Christmas homage had become mandatory in view of the fact that he is the Governor General of the FCT.

    “It is not surprising to pay such visits because constitutionally, as the Governor General of the FCT, you are also the head of the administration of the FCT, but you have graciously delegated that to me.

    ”Today marks a milestone for us because in 2020 and 2021 we could not pay such visits due to the emergence of coronavirus,” he added.

    The minister took time to wish President Buhari long life and a successful retirement as his tenure gradually comes to an end.

    He said: “This also presents the last Christmas that we are going to have an opportunity as residents of the FCT to come and pay you homage because in five months’ time, your tenure would have ended and the next Christmas will be under a new President.

    “So, we use this opportunity to thank God almighty for having made it possible for us to witness several Christmas celebrations under your leadership.

    ”I also on behalf of the entire residents of the FCT, wish you well and pray for God  to grant you long life, useful and healthy retirement in the next few months.

    “We want to also extend our appreciation for what you have so far done for the country.”

    President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Danie Okoh, who was represented by the Vice President of the Association, Rev. Stephen Panya-Baba, thanked God for sustaining Nigeria’s unity.

    He also lauded the president for his efforts in addressing socio-economic challenges facing the country despite all natural and human difficulties.

    “We want to reassure you that in the twilight of your administration, that the Christian community is fully in support of you and praying that God will bless your effort.

    ”This desire you have to see that the sufferings of the citizens of this nation is alleviated, will begin to yield fruits.

    “We are not unaware of the challenges that you continue to face especially security challenges which have become a very persistent problem in our nation today.

    ”We are praying and we have not given up hope and we want to encourage you to continue doing your best and we believe God will one day intervene and do what man cannot do,”  he stated.

    He also prayed for successful and peaceful conduct of 2023 general elections across the country.

    The president was presented with a giant Christmas card by the FCT Minister on behalf of residents of the territory at the event.

  • Muhammad Bello advocates for improved revenue profile in FCT

    Muhammad Bello advocates for improved revenue profile in FCT

    Malam Muhammad Bello, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, has advocated for improved revenue profile for the territory through a robust tax policy.

    The minister, who stated this at the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) Town Hall meeting, on Wednesday in Abuja, said this would enhance infrastructure development in the nation’s capital.

    Bello, represented by the Permanent secretary of FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, explained that the FCT Administration had the mandate to build a capital territory that was comparable to the best in the world.

    “For over four decades, we have delivered on this mandate as Abuja has indeed turned out to be a very beautiful city indeed as testified to severally by visitors to the city.

    “It must, however, be admitted that if we are to continue to provide world class infrastructure for the city, we need a greatly improved revenue base.

    ”This can only be attained by a robust tax policy where all who call FCT home also contribute through faxes to her development.”

    Bello, however, commended the acting Executive Chairman of FCT-IRS for the initiative of holding public gathering, adding that would enable residents and other stakeholders to fully grasp the import of the tax policy.

    The minister said the efforts of the FCT-IRS, with the cooperation of residents
    of the FCT, had ensured that the territory was the second highest internally generating sub-national in the country.

    “It is, however, quite clear that we have the potentials of being number one with a little bit more effort and commitment from all of us.

    “It is only with this show of commitment that we can truly build the FCT of our collective dreams. It is our strong desire to make the FCT a model for excellence in tax matters.

    “The attainment of this ideal, we all know, is a function of collective responsibility and hard work.”

    The minister explained that the FCT residents and business owners have a responsibility of paying tax to help the administration in developing the city.

    “Therefore, I use this opportunity to send a note of strong warning to tax evaders to desist from their actions.

    “Not only are their actions morally wrong as they ride on the sweat of others but their actions are also serious criminal offences for which they can face very severe penalties on their conviction.

    “We are not unmindful of complaints about multiple taxation and other sundry challenges in our tax regime.

    “This matter is also of grave concern to us and we are taking measures to resolve the issue because it also impacts negatively on our efforts of encouraging investment in the territory,” he said.

    Earlier, the acting Executive Chairman of FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, said that the existing law fully provide for sanction to be meted out to tax defaulters.

    ”Failure to demand and verify a Tax Clearance Certificate presented by an individual was liable to sanctions and possible conviction with a fine of N5 million or three years imprisonment or both the fine and imprisonment.

    ” I will urge all residents and relevant stakeholders to choose voluntary compliance over compulsion.

    “It is imperative that a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) is demanded as a pre-condition for various transactions in the FCT.

    ”It is instructive to note that the law requires such from Government Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Commercial Banks.”

  • FCT Police commence investigation into Kubwa shooting, abduction

    FCT Police commence investigation into Kubwa shooting, abduction

    The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has commenced investigations into a reported case of armed robbery, shooting and abduction of some persons in Kubwa area of Abuja.

    A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the FCT, DSP Josephine Adeh on Wednesday in Abuja said the incident occurred on Tuesday at Relocation Estate, off Arab Road in Kubwa.

    She said the prompt response by operatives of the command led to the rescue of three victims and recovery of firearms and ammunition, including one AK47 rifle and 25 rounds of ammunition.

    Adeh said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects invaded the estate at about 7:30 p.m. and started shooting sporadically where two persons were affected.

    “While departing the scene, the suspects left with four victims, possibly, to enable them evade arrest by the police response team deployed to the area.

    “The two gunshot victims were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention, but unfortunately one of them was confirmed dead by a doctor in the hospital, while the other is responding to treatment,” she said.

    Adeh enjoined residents of the area to remain calm, adding that the command had deployed intelligence and other operational asset to fortify security in Kubwa and its environs.

    She said investigation was on to identify the suspects and bring them to book.

    Adeh also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious situation through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883.

    She added that residents should also reach out to the command’s Public Complaint Bureau via telephone number 09022222352.

  • Buhari transmits FCT 2023 Budget to Senate

    Buhari transmits FCT 2023 Budget to Senate

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday transmitted the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 2023 Budget to the Senate for consideration.

    Buhari’s request was contained in a letter to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and read during plenary.

    “Pursuant to Section 121 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigerias1999 (as amended).

    “I forward herewith the Federal Capital Territory’s 2023 Statutory Budget Proposal for the kind consideration of the Senate.

    “In the preparation of the Federal Capital Territory’s 2023 Statutory Budget Proposal, the Federal Capital Territory Administration aligns with the Federal Government’s laudable fiscal development policies.

    “Accordingly, the FCT 2023 Budget proposal prioritising improvement in Heath Care Services, job creations. youth empowerment, social welfare services, education and increased productivity in agriculture in order to lift significant number of our citizens out of poverty,” he said.